PEER REVIEW-A CRITICAL ANALYSIS WOMEN OF COLOR AND LEADERSHIP ADVANCES IN DEVELOPING HUMAN RESOURCES

This preface introduces a Special Issue focused on the leadership experiences of women of color (WOC), addressing a critical gap in leadership and human resource development (HRD) research. By employing an intersectional framework, the issue highlights the compounding effects of race, gender, and other identities on leadership dynamics, challenging the homogeneity of traditional leadership theories. The preface outlines the scope of the issue, which includes diverse methodologies such as autoethnography, grounded theory, and conceptual frameworks, and emphasizes the practical implications for HRD practices, such as tailored leadership development programs. While the issue is timely and relevant, particularly in the U.S. context, it could benefit from a more global perspective, deeper exploration of intersectionality, and stronger connections between the included articles. Suggestions for future research include longitudinal studies, comparative analyses across cultural contexts, and investigations into the impact of emerging technologies on WOC leadership. This Special Issue represents a significant step toward advancing inclusive leadership theories and practices, urging scholars and practitioners to rethink foundational assumptions in HRD.