A Qualitative Study on the Role of Executive Sponsorship in the Career Advancement of Black Executives in U.S. Companies Teresa L Wallace

Format:

Book

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Wallace, Teresa L., author.

Contributor:

University of Pennsylvania. Penn Chief Learning Officer., degree granting institution.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

0310.

0325.

0344.

0703.

Local Subjects:

0310.

0325.

0344.

0703.

Physical Description:

1 electronic resource (261 pages)

Contained In:

Dissertations Abstracts International 87-07A

Place of Publication:

Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 2025

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Despite increased corporate diversity initiatives, Black professionals remain significantly underrepresented in executive leadership positions within US companies. This qualitative positive deviance study explores how successful Black executives have leveraged Executive Sponsorship to overcome systemic barriers and advance to senior leadership levels in corporate America. Through semi-structured interviews with 21 Black executives who have successfully navigated paths to senior leadership, this research examines: (1) the role Executive Sponsorship plays in facilitating the career advancement of Black talent; (2) the critical attributes these successful Black professionals cultivated to attract sponsors; (3) the shared characteristics of effective Executive Sponsors who have supported Black leadership advancement; and (4) the unique challenges Black professionals face in seeking and maintaining sponsorship relationships. Using thematic analysis, this study identifies patterns in how these successful outliers have strategically leveraged sponsorship to navigate organizational barriers that typically impede Black professional advancement. The findings highlight that while mentoring provides guidance and advice, Executive Sponsorship specifically focuses on career advancement by providing critical access to opportunity, visibility, and organizational capital. This research contributes to both scholarly literature and practical applications by providing insights drawn from successful cases for diversity practitioners, organizations seeking to advance Black talent, and Black professionals navigating career advancement in corporate environments

Notes:

Advisors: Chapman, Robbin Committee members: Paine, Nigel; Wynter, Jomauree

Source: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 87-07, Section: A.

Ed.D. University of Pennsylvania 2025

Vendor supplied data

Local Notes:

School code: 0175

ISBN:

9798276005959

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license