Rethinking Who Leads : Gender and Intersectional Dynamics in Sustainability Leadership

As sustainability gains traction across sectors, questions arise about who assumes leadership in this field and how access to such roles is shaped by gendered and institutional dynamics.This research examines how organizational structures, and institutional norms influence gendered participation in sustainability leadership, focusing on how both women and men experience barriers and opportunities in accessing and performing leadership roles.Drawing on Acker's theory of inequality regimes and the Cambridge Sustainability Leadership Model, the study explores how gender norms intersect with class and ethnicity to shape leadership pathways within sustainability-focused organizations.Based on semi-structured interviews with eight professionals from sectors including business, academia, and intergovernmental organizations, the research reveals how traits commonly associated with sustainability such as collaboration, long-term thinking, and moral responsibility are often coded as feminine.While this can align with women's leadership approaches, structural barriers and cultural expectations still limit their advancement.Simultaneously, traditional masculine norms may discourage men from adopting inclusive leadership styles or from engaging in sustainability roles altogether.The findings highlight how both formal structures and informal organizational norms shape perceptions of leadership and influence who gains access to key decision-making roles.Although this study is limited in scale, it identifies intersectional dynamics such as language use, background, and perceived legitimacy that affect individuals' leadership trajectories.Enabling factors such as inclusive leadership models, mentoring, and alignment between personal and organizational values were found to support more diverse participation.This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how gendered, class-based, and ethnic dynamics interact within organizational environments to shape sustainability leadership.It provides theoretical insights and practical implications for developing more inclusive and equitable leadership structures aligned with sustainability values.