Climbing the not-for-profit leadership ladder in Australia: Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Abstract This qualitative study examines equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the leadership roles of not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) where a significant number of social workers engage in professional practice. Two focus groups—one with members of the senior management of NPOs (n = 5) and another with emerging (aspiring and less experienced) leaders of NPOs (n = 6)—were conducted to gather perspectives and opinions on EDI in their organizations’ leadership roles. Four major themes emerged from the findings for promoting EDI, which include a whole of organization commitment, multilevel consideration with recruitment, mentorship, training, and advisory board as an untapped potential. Recommendations for EDI include purposeful and inclusive recruitment strategies, coherent leadership training programmes, allyship and mentorship, involvement of advisory board, and increased visibility of role models. Although the study does not directly address social work leadership, findings reveal the need for social workers to consider diversity and inclusion in leadership practices of NPOs, where a significant number of social workers engage in professional practice.