A female CEO is making waves in a historically male dominated industry

CHICAGO — Stella Gaytan is a woman of color challenging the status quo with her leadership and initiatives which she attributes to her culture and upbringing. She’s inspiring the next generation to dream big.

If you ask Gaytan about her obstacles, she’ll tell you the odds were against her. At the age of 35, she became a divorced, single mother of four children. She was a homemaker without a college degree, but she knew she wanted to lead an organization of her own, so she made it happen.

“I’m number five of seven children,” Gaytan told WGN News’ Christine Flores. “Born and raised in the City of Chicago by two Mexicans from Monterrey, Neuvo Leon.”

Gaytan proudly spoke of her upbringing.

“My father was a proud Chicago employee – worked for the Department of Sewers,” Gaytan said. “My mom was a glorious homemaker.”

These are roles that Gaytan looked up. Her family, she said, was raised with a certain motto, one that she passed on to her four adult children.

“It was just ‘there are opportunities here and it’s about what you put into it becomes what you will get out of it,’” Gaytan said.

Gaytan admits it hasn’t always been smooth sailing and it was her determination that lead her to 20 years in the security guard business, a predominately male industry.

“I really broke down some barriers sitting at a table with men who were much older than I was,” Gaytan said. “I learned from them. I learned to get respect from them because I tried to master the skills needed to be in the industry I was in.”

Then in 2022, Gaytan was presented with the opportunity at Bell Fuels by three sisters who own the company and were looking for a qualified person to run their organization.

Immediately, Gaytan transformed the culture and the company’s revenue went up 20%. She even renovated the building and stayed true to her goal of making employees feel seen and heard.

She started it with a smile and a “good morning,” and her impact does not end there. When it was confirmed that Chicago would be hosting the DNC, Gaytan reached out to her network to find an in.

“I spent a lot of time with other organizations who were advocating for small businesses,” Gaytan said. “It came down to our union BA helping us Local 705. He helped us open the door.”

The months-long process awarded the company a contract with the DNC to be the fuel provider, powering numerous generators to keep the lights on and the communication going.

This is an example of moves that have been rolled out with Gaytan’s small but mighty team of 24 employees. They service more than 200 customers every day and have been in existence for more than 100 years.

Gaytan even takes her experience and knowledge outside of the industry with her ‘CEO For a Day Initiative.’ It’s an invitation for next generation high school, college and early-stage career professionals to gain exposure to executive leadership in the fuel industry.

“I didn’t get here on my own,” Gaytan said. “I had people who helped me, supported me, and taught me.”

Overall, she hopes to serve as an example for others to keep dreaming big.

“So even if the odds seem against you, keep pushing forward,” Gaytan said. “Remember that dream and don’t let go of that dream.”

For now, Gaytan said she is settling into her role, encouraging her team to do more, and expanding the business. She hopes others can learn from her story and not be intimidated by their dreams.

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