Extending Careers Scholarship: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Race and Gender

Holly Slay Ferraro, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Management and the Faculty Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Teaching and Research at Villanova University's School of Business. Dr. Ferraro earned her doctoral degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her academic focus has evolved to bridge Africana studies with business, particularly examining the impact of racialized and gendered systems on careers and professional identities.

Dr. Ferraro’s research and teaching focus on creating systemic change and enhancing personal agency within organizational contexts. She uses innovative qualitative methods to investigate how marginalized workers navigate and are impacted by systemic injustices, aiming to offer insights that inform equitable practices and policies. Her findings, published in journals such as Human Relations and Group and Organization Management, contribute to the ongoing dialogue on transformative change and resilience in the face of structural challenges. With over 12 years of industry experience prior to her academic career, Dr. Ferraro is actively engaged in fostering collaborative environments that advance social justice and systemic change.