ABC to CEO wants to encourage girls of all ages to learn the skills they need to become not just a leader, but the leader.

Learning Through 17 Stories

Our stories provide valuable lessons and inspire young girls to develop the traits that are associated with successful CEOs.

About The Stories

17 BY 17™ is a series of stories that follow the journey of three strong and engaging high school girls - Lexi, Indira, and Megan - as they actively work to develop the 17 traits, qualities, and skills associated with becoming a successful CEO. The stories are narrated by Lexi’s observant little sister, Ayla, as she tags along on their adventures. Ayla admires these older girls and lovingly refers to them as the “BBBs,” because they are “Bright, Bold and Brave.” Our young readers will gain an understanding of the 17 traits and learn actionable steps for personal development — all through the lens of the exciting adventures and new experiences of the BBBs.

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Our stories are called 17 BY 17™ because our high school heroines are developing 17 traits associated with CEO success, by the time they turn 17 years old.

Adults Supporting Young Girls

Conversation guides are available to facilitate discussions between our young readers and their parents, guardians, teachers and friends. These guides provide the major plot points of each story, encourage conversations about the featured traits, and include activities and ideas to inspire further growth.

Where to Begin

To start reading the 17 BY 17™ stories, click on the Introduction link.

After reading the 17 BY 17™ Introduction, then move through the chapters at your own pace.

CONFIDENT

Knowing that she has the necessary abilities, knowledge and skills to do something successfully and to demonstrate determination to continue on, despite failure.

INSPIRATIONAL

Generating the enthusiasm in her teams to accomplish something that may be difficult — and the ability to cultivate highly-functional teams.

ACCOUNTABLE

Being responsible for and answerable to decisions made and actions taken personally and those taken by the team.


FOCUSED

Directing attention to the issues that matter and maintaining that attention.

INTEGRITY

Demonstrating ethical principles and high moral values.

DECISIVE

Efficiently selecting a course of action or making a final judgement regarding a situation.


INNOVATIVE

Having new ideas and approaches to how something can be done.

COMMUNICATIVE

Having someone understand her thoughts on an issue and/or explaining her ideas and expectations well.

RELIABLE

Being consistently dependable.


ADAPTABLE

Being able and willing to adjust and thrive in a new condition and/or environment.

RISK TAKER

Willingness to do things that may result in failure, in order to achieve a desired goal, but having a track record of generally being successful with the risks taken.

MANAGE AMBIGUITY

The ability to operate effectively in the face of uncertainty.


OPTIMISTIC

Being of a nature to expect positive outcomes.

TEAM BUILDER

The ability to foster team players who consider and embrace views different from their own.

EMPATHETIC

Understanding the emotions, feelings and positions of others.


IMPACTFUL

Making a meaningful and lasting difference.

COMPETITIVE

Having a strong desire to win or be the best at something.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
— Harriet Tubman