A Qualitative Exploration of Black Women’s Leadership Journeys to the C-suite: A Pilot Study
Loading...
Authors
Collins-Robinson, Michelle
Issue Date
2026-02
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Bourdieu , Habitus , Field , C-suite , Capital , Business, Engineering, Science, & Technological Innovation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Despite longstanding diversity efforts, Black women remain significantly underrepresented in senior executive roles due to structural, cultural, and social barriers that restrict access to advancement and decision-making power. The problem addressed was the underrepresentation of Black women in the C-suite, which may often lead to a lack of diverse perspectives in decision-making, reduced innovation, and missed opportunities for equitable organizational growth. This qualitative pilot case study was conducted to explore CEOs’ perspectives on the factors contributing to Black women’s persistent absence from the C-suite. Bourdieu’s theory of practice, guided exploration of habitus, field, capital influence norms, networks, and power structures that shape career trajectories. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit former Fortune 1500 CEOs and C-suite leaders with a minimum of three years of executive experience. Data were collected through five semi-structured interviews and triangulated with existing literature to strengthen validity and contextual grounding. Thematic analysis identified barriers including unclear promotion pathways, informal gatekeeping, narrow “fit” expectations, and insufficient sponsorship and mentorship. Enabling practices included formalized sponsorship aligned with succession planning, transparent selection criteria, targeted development initiatives, and intentional visibility for high-impact assignments. Participants emphasized that advancement depends on access, advocacy, visibility, and performance, all shaped by influential networks and unwritten organizational norms. Future researchers should broaden the scope of inquiry through intersectional and comparative analyses to deepen understanding of the structural, relational, and experiential factors affecting Black women’s executive advancement and to inform more equitable organizational leadership strategies.