In his new book, Dr. Parker combines research, reflection, and urgency to argue why gender equity in leadership isn’t just ideal, it’s essential.
The boardroom has long been considered a man’s domain. But Dr. P. Ernest Parker, Jr. believes that needs to change, and fast.
With more than 30 years of experience across public accounting, international consulting, and higher education, Dr. Parker has seen leadership from every angle. He’s held partner roles, led teams, taught future CEOs, and advised organizations on ethics and effectiveness. But no topic has gripped him quite like the one at the center of his latest work: Why Your Next CEO Could Be a Woman.
Set for release on February 9, this timely new book is more than a manifesto. It’s a call to action.
A Leadership Scholar With a New Perspective
Dr. Parker isn’t making this argument from a place of theory alone. With credentials including a Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL), an MBA, and licensure as a Certified Public Accountant, his conclusions are grounded in both rigorous research and decades of lived professional experience.
“I wanted to write a book that confronts the assumptions we’ve long made about who is qualified to lead,” he explains. “Leadership in today’s world requires empathy, resilience, ethical clarity, and emotional intelligence. And more often than not, we see those qualities displayed powerfully in women.”
His background as a professor and ethics educator plays a vital role in the way he approaches this conversation. Rather than leaning into clichés or corporate trends, Dr. Parker draws from historical patterns, data, and real-world case studies to illustrate how women leaders have transformed companies, communities, and cultures for the better.
More Than a Trend: Why Women in Leadership Is a Business Imperative
The book’s subtitle, The Case for Women as Natural Leaders, isn’t meant to provoke; it’s meant to prompt reflection. As organizations across industries navigate a world reshaped by economic uncertainty, social transformation, and workforce demands, Dr. Parker argues that the leadership qualities most needed now are often those that women are more likely to embody.
In the book, he explores topics such as:
- How traditional definitions of leadership exclude long-term purpose in favor of short-term profit
- The historical erasure of women’s contributions in leadership roles
- The growing body of research linking female leadership to improved business outcomes
- Practical strategies for organizations to promote women into executive roles
His tone is direct yet thoughtful. The goal isn’t to divide, it’s to broaden the definition of leadership so that more people can rise, lead, and succeed.
For women navigating leadership spaces that weren’t built with them in mind, this book is both validation and a roadmap.
“Diversity in leadership is more than a trend, it’s a business imperative”, Dr. Parker writes. “If we’re serious about innovation, performance, and ethical culture, then we must be serious about gender inclusion at the top.”
The Personal Side of Professional Change
Part of what makes this book so powerful is its blend of personal insight and professional authority. Dr. Parker doesn’t shy away from reflection. As a Black man in leadership himself, he understands what it means to be underrepresented in rooms of power, and how that lack of inclusion shapes outcomes.
By combining his lived experiences with years of academic and corporate expertise, he speaks with a clarity that resonates across industries. He makes the case that elevating women isn’t just “the right thing to do.” It’s the smart thing to do, for business, for ethics, and for society at large.
A Roadmap for Inclusion
Why Your Next CEO Could Be a Woman doesn’t just critique the current system; it offers a pathway forward.
From actionable advice for boards and executives, to thoughtful frameworks for educators and HR professionals, the book offers real tools for implementing change. It’s both accessible and deeply informed, making it a must-read for:
- Current and aspiring leaders
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion advocates
- HR professionals and executive recruiters
- Business students and faculty
- Anyone interested in organizational culture and ethics
In an age of performative diversity, Dr. Parker’s voice stands out for its substance. He doesn’t just advocate for more women in leadership, he shows you how to get them there, and why we can’t afford to wait.
Inclusive leadership isn’t charity—it’s competence.
Coming February 9: Pre-Order Now
Available in eBook format for $3.99 (at launch for a limited time and then $7.99) and paperback for $17.99, Why Your Next CEO Could Be a Woman will be released on Amazon and other platforms on February 9. With powerful storytelling, accessible research, and a roadmap for real impact, this book promises to spark critical conversations in boardrooms, classrooms, and beyond.
Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or mentoring tomorrow’s leaders, Dr. Parker’s message is clear: the future of leadership is inclusive. And if we’re willing to listen, the future is bright.
To learn more about Dr. Parker’s work or connect professionally, visit his LinkedIn profile.
In a world hungry for meaningful leadership, Dr. Parker reminds us that the answers may already be here, if we’re finally ready to listen.
