Founder Interview with Jim Fielding, All Pride, No Ego LLC
Photo Credit: Jim Fielding
Jim is a seasoned executive, author, and speaker with over 35 years of leadership experience in retail, media, and entertainment. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he earned his degree in Political Science and Business Management from Indiana University, Bloomington, before launching a career that took him across the Midwest and eventually to San Francisco with The Gap in 1993. He held executive leadership roles at Disney, DreamWorks, Claire’s, and 20th Century Fox, shaping brands and experiences on a global scale. In 2021, he transitioned from corporate leadership to focus on writing, speaking, and coaching, moving to Atlanta with his fiancé and their two dogs.
During our interview, Jim shared how his journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to create safe spaces for authenticity and leadership. After publishing ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive’s Journey to Living and Leading Authentically in 2023, he discovered a passion for speaking and coaching, leading him to formalize his expertise with executive coaching certifications from Emory University. He spoke candidly about the challenges of building his brand after years of working for major companies, as well as the impact of being openly queer in leadership. Now, in 2025, he is fully dedicated to empowering others through his work, championing DEI initiatives, and using his platform to advocate for conscious capitalism and LGBTQ+ representation in business.
Check out the interview below!
Can you walk us through your professional journey and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, and graduated from Indiana University with a Political Science and Business Management degree. My career began in the Midwest and eventually brought me to San Francisco with The Gap in 1993. Over the next 25 years, I held leadership roles at The Gap, Disney, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox—including President of Disney Stores Global, CEO of Claire’s, and President of Consumer Products at Fox.
After navigating major mergers at DreamWorks and Fox, I took my first sabbatical at the end of 2019. I planned to return to corporate life in 2020, but the pandemic—and an unexpected divorce—shifted everything. I relocated to northern Michigan, where I began consulting with independent media company Archer Gray and finally said yes to something I'd long put off: writing a book.
In August 2023, ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive’s Journey to Living and Leading Authentically was published. It became a bestseller, opened the door to speaking engagements, and launched an entirely new chapter. I pursued executive coaching certifications at Emory, began wrapping up consulting work, and launched my own business focused on speaking, coaching, and writing.
Amid it all, I met Joseph (on The League, not Grindr), fell in love, and moved to Atlanta in 2021. I’m turning 60 this year, getting married in September, and working for myself full-time—for the first time ever. I’m focused on my next two books, expanding my speaking, and using my platform to hold corporations accountable for rolling back DEI and LGBTQ+ commitments.
This journey has been anything but linear, but it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.
What inspired you to offer the services you provide?
My entire mission is about creating safe spaces where people can live authentically and thrive. As I embarked on my book tour, I saw firsthand the need for more leadership development and coaching services—especially within the LGBTQ+ community. That realization pushed me to return to Emory University, where I earned my certifications in Coaching Fundamentals and Advanced Coaching. Now, I combine my decades of leadership experience with an academic foundation to help others step into their power and purpose.
Photo Credit: Jim Fielding
What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey as a service provider, and what did you do to overcome this?
One of my biggest challenges was shifting from corporate leadership to building my own brand. I had spent decades shaping brands and experiences for global companies, but suddenly, I had to apply all of that knowledge to myself. The hardest part? Believing in myself.
Early in my career, I faced a different kind of challenge: being out in the workplace. In the ’80s, even in retail, I was told by other gay colleagues to stay closeted if I wanted to succeed. When I left that company to join The Gap, I made a choice—I was going to be out. Not in a performative way, but simply honest. That decision changed everything. From that point on, my career took off because I wasn’t wasting energy filtering my personal life. Every employer after that got the best version of me.
That said, being out and authentic doesn’t mean ignoring safety. When I was CEO of Claire’s and traveling in the Middle East, I had to be as “butch” as possible—not an easy feat for me. Some younger queer folks challenge me on this, saying, “Isn’t that inauthentic?” No, honey, it was survival.
Authenticity isn’t just about being visible—it’s about knowing when and where it’s safe to show up fully.
I’ve worked with gay cis men at Pottery Barn who had to relocate to Dubai and are still living closeted lives because of it. There are places where you simply cannot be out. And that isn’t just an international issue—it exists in the U.S. too. I did a book event in San Antonio, Texas, and had security the entire time. A group of gay army veterans—who are part of a security group—protected me. Five people at this bookstore, scanning, body-scanning, the whole bit. Those of us who live on the coasts or in more liberal areas sometimes take safety for granted, but there are places in this country where you have to be hyper-aware.
That’s why I’m not out there on my book tour telling everyone to kick open the door and live loudly. I know that’s not physically safe for some people. So I have to be careful—it’s not as simple as “just be yourself and everything will be fine.” Because in some places, it won’t be.
As queer people, we develop that sixth sense—we scan a room, we assess, we decide: How gay am I gonna go? Am I bringing full RuPaul energy, or am I dialing it back? That’s a reality, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t fully myself. In fact, I believe my identity as a queer leader made me a better leader. It gave me deep compassion, empathy, and the ability to actively listen—because I knew what it felt like to need that from others. At the end of the day, leadership isn’t just about strategy or execution—it’s about how you make people feel. And I know that because I’ve lived it.
That’s why I’m careful with my messaging. I don’t tell people to “just be yourself, and everything will be fine”—because in some places, it won’t be. My work is about creating environments where people don’t have to second-guess their safety.
If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ service providers within your field, what would it be?
Mentorship is everything. Reach back and bring someone into your chosen family, help them achieve their vision of success, and foster connections with like-hearted—not just like-minded—people.
We don’t all have to think alike; in fact, the diversity of our community is our greatest strength. But at the core, we need shared values of kindness, respect, and civility. That’s something we’re losing—not just in society, but within our own community.
I’ve seen it firsthand. At a Palm Springs event, a room full of older white folks completely disengaged when I brought up younger generations, trans rights, or women’s rights. Their attitude was, “Not really my issue.” And that’s the problem. It’s 1000% your issue. If you think you can sit comfortably as a rich old gay white man in Palm Springs and they're not gonna come after the right to marry and Obergefell and all that, like, you are in a bubble.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that progress isn’t permanent unless we fight for it.
Marriage equality, trans protections, reproductive rights—they’re all connected. We have to show up for each other. Community isn’t just about who you relate to—it’s about who you stand up for.
Photo Credit: Jim Fielding
How does being openly queer inspire or impact your business?
Being out and proud impacts everything I do. I lead with authenticity because I’ve seen firsthand how much energy is wasted when you’re hiding parts of yourself. The moment I stopped filtering my identity, my career took off.
However, being openly queer also means being aware. We know that safety isn’t a given in every space. My responsibility as a leader is to create environments where people don’t have to constantly scan the room and decide how much of themselves they can show.
At the end of the day, leadership isn’t just about strategy or execution—it’s about how you make people feel. And when people feel safe and seen, they do their best work. That’s the kind of leadership I strive for.
What brands or services by LGBTQ+ founders are your go-to's and why?
Pink Media, New Savant Candle Company, LGBTQ+ Association of Corporate Directors
Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity or figure, and why?
Oscar Wilde - classic and Jonathan Bailey - current
Can you share one fun fact about yourself?
My role as a GUNCLE to my nieces, nephews, and godchildren is my most important role.
