Mary has made a career out of changing careers. Her mantra comes from Ray Bradbury: "Jump off the cliff and grow your wings on the way down!" Mary spent nearly thirty years in the financial markets, working with major corporations in New York, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Mexico. Along the way, she dropped out several times, the first time to embark on the three-year sailing voyage that is the subject of her memoir, SAILING DOWN THE MOONBEAM. In her latest incarnation, she is a writer and lecturer. Her first novel--A FITTING PLACE--was released May 1, 2014. In this novel, as in her memoir, Gottschalk addresses the opportunities for personal and professional growth that take place when you are outside your comfort zone and your beliefs and values are challenged.