Semester Award Granted

Summer 2025

Submission Date

July 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Robert Shockley

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of women of color executive leaders in nonprofit organizations, focusing on perceptions of systemic barriers, support systems, and leadership identity. Using a mixed-methods, phenomenological design, data were collected from 31 women of color (N = 31) through a Likert-type survey and from six women (n = 6) selected for semi-structured interviews.

Quantitative analysis revealed that perceived systemic barriers significantly predicted leadership identity (p = .013), while support systems did not. Further analysis uncovered a significant positive correlation between positional status and perceived support (r = .39, p = .050), indicating that higher positional status was associated with higher levels of perceived support. A moderation analysis demonstrated that perceived support significantly influenced the relationship between position and leadership (p = .015), highlighting that support buffers the impact of role status and leadership identity.

Qualitative analysis revealed three overarching findings: (a) women of color navigate leadership through systemic and interpersonal barriers; (b) support systems are critical for leadership access and advancement; and (c) leadership identity evolves with vision, confidence, and voice. An intersectional framework grounded these insights across three levels of analysis: macro (systemic), meso (organizational and relational), and micro (individual).

This study contributes to scholarship on intersectionality of women of color leaders in nonprofit organizations and offers actionable recommendations for improving nonprofit leadership pathways.

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