Rebuilding the Mane Street: Collaborating Successfully with State Leaders

After many years of entrepreneurship, involvement in various industries, and active participation
in society, I’ve been continually struck by how little the average citizen understands about the
role of government, the power structures that shape our world, and how to pursue their own
aspirations. This knowledge gap, I believe, poses a serious challenge to realizing the true
potential of our society and often leads to harmful consequences that prevent progress.
Motivated by this realization—and inspired by the invaluable work of the irreplaceable Catherine
Austin Fitts—I decided to help close this knowledge gap by writing and publishing this book. It is
a compilation of several important publications by Catherine Austin Fitts and her Solari team (all
listed in the appendix), as well as some relevant public government documents.
As a current Co-Chair of the Sustainability Committee for the National Association of Women in
Construction (NAWIC) Midwest Region, I recognized that many of my colleagues—strong,
capable women in the construction industry—were not familiar with government structures or
who truly holds the power to create change. The truth is, the power to create change lies in the
hands of citizens. However, unless we understand how our system works and how to legally
exercise our rights, our visions and aspirations may never come to fruition.
This book is written with one clear purpose: to help my fellow women in construction, my fellow
Americans, and people around the world, to better understand the structures that shape our
society and the legal frameworks through which we can drive change. It’s a reminder of the
importance of knowledge and awareness—government is ultimately a service delegated by its
citizens for the good of us all.
The road to change starts with us. This book aims to provide the foundational guidance
necessary for us all to take informed, confident steps toward making our dreams and future
aspirations a reality.
Dr. Lilly