Supporting Social Work Leaders: Supervision, Intersectionality, and Nonprofit Leadership.

This study examines the lived experiences of 15 women of color in leadership roles within nonprofit organizations (NPOs), using a critical feminist and intersectional framework to explore how their intersecting identities influence their leadership journeys. Findings reveal significant gaps in social work supervision and mentorship, particularly the lack of support from supervisors who share similar racial and gender identities, which complicates navigating predominantly White, male-dominated nonprofit spaces. Participants identified mentorship as crucial for professional development, yet many experienced deficits in structured supervision and culturally responsive support, highlighting systemic racialized and gendered power dynamics within NPOs. The study underscores the need for more inclusive supervision practices, culturally informed interventions, and organizational policies that address inequities to better support women of color leaders in the nonprofit sector. Future research is recommended to expand sample diversity and develop leadership theories integrating critical feminism and power dynamics.