Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Richard DeParis

Abstract

The host organization is a nonprofit that has a mission of supporting the work of 19 other separate organizations, 47% of which are run by women. The problem addressed in this research is the host organization’s lack of knowledge related to how to create a leadership development program that will maintain or increase the current gender diversity. The purpose of this research was to gather information about the current leaders to inform the creation of a leadership development program for the host organization based on research conducted at Harvard University. The aim was to understand the experiences of the women leaders within the association and the components of a leadership development program. There were nine women leaders within the host organization; all were invited to participate, and eight agreed. With a general qualitative research design, semistructured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes, which resulted in four primary themes: mentorship, communication skills, leadership self-assessment, and business acumen. These themes and recommendations for a leadership development program were reported in an executive summary provided to the host organization. By providing this information, the research has a positive social change on future leaders within the host organization.

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