Motivations, Roles, Characteristics, and Power: Women Volunteer Leaders on Nonprofit Boards of Directors

Abstract

MOTIVATIONS, ROLES, CHARACTERISTICS, AND POWER: WOMEN VOLUNTEER LEADERS ON NONPROFIT BOARDS OF DIRECTORS Bridget E. Lyons, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2004 Director: Michael S. Wise, Ed.D Program Head, Recreation, Parks and Sports Management Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the leadership experiences of woman presidents of nonprofit agencies who are perceived as successful. Recognizing that participants’ descriptions of their leadership experience are both similar and different, those similarities and differences are explored and analyzed. Commitment to the organization’s mission, communicating a vision into action, fostering collaboration, and an adaptable leadership approach all contributed to the success of these female board presidents. A case study design was used to obtain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of women leaders on nonprofit boards of directors. In-depth interviewing, observations with field notes, member checking, and written materials were utilized as