A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Women's Career Pathways to Nonprofit Leadership Positions; 
Authors: Mikkonen, Marjukka; Kuoppakangas, Päivikki
Publisher: Wiley
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Article number: nml.70056
ISSN: 1048-6682
eISSN: 1542-7854
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.70056
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.70056
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/524885256
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
This study examines women's leadership career pathways in nonprofit sport organizations. Drawing on a narrative approach and reflexive thematic analysis of 22 semi-structured interviews with Finnish women leaders, we identify four career types-Progressive Growth Career, Mission Enthusiast, Externally Catalyzed Career, and Chance-Driven Growth Career-and define their key patterns and distinctive features. The study extends the literature by offering a gender-sensitive analysis of women's leadership careers in nonprofit organizations. In contrast to earlier research, our findings show that women follow diverse career pathways and exercise agency across them. In doing so, the study refines nonprofit leadership typologies, highlights dual routes to legitimacy, and offers practical insights for recruitment, nomination, and development practices aimed at expanding women's leadership in sports nonprofits.
Keywords:
leadership careers, narrative approach, sports organizations
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
Open access publishing facilitated by Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu, as part of the Wiley - FinELib agreement.