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Kader Gumus, Ph.D. is a 2025 graduate of the PHD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

Kader Gumus at her Dissertation Defense.

From L-R: Dr. J. Beth Mabry, Committee Chair, Dr. Susan M. Omilian, Committee Member, Dr. Philomena Essed, Committee Member

Dissertation Committee

  • J. Beth Mabry, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Susan M. Omilian, JD, Committee Member
  • Philomena Essed, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

domestic violence, trauma recovery, post-traumatic growth, survivorship, thrivership, healing, well-being, thematic analysis, situational analysis, identity transformation, social support systems, victim-to-thriver transition, leadership and change, post-trauma, trauma-informed research, self-care

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Domestic violence profoundly affects multiple facets of a survivor’s life. While most existing literature on survivorship addresses the immediate aftermath of domestic violence, this study delves into the extended process following the trauma of abuse to attain “thrivership,” a new concept in the scholarly and practice literature that emphasizes enduring well-being and flourishing. This dissertation examines the journeys from surviving to thriving for 13 women who transformed themselves and their lives to achieve well-being after traumatic domestic violence. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was applied to examine the multiple layers of environmental influences on an individual’s development, including the micro, meso, and macro systems. This framework provides a tool for a comprehensive understanding of how factors interact within and between different levels of a survivor’s environment that can impact their journey towards thrivership. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach with a novel analysis technique called exploratory situational thematic analysis, this study explored the essential, interconnected elements at the micro, meso, and macro levels that facilitated thriving for survivors of domestic violence. Incorporating Tedeschi’s concept of post-traumatic growth, the study emphasized the positive psychological changes that can occur as a result of struggling with and overcoming highly challenging life circumstances. This perspective on post-traumatic growth highlights the potential for survivors to develop new understandings of themselves, others, and the world around them, leading to a more prosperous and meaningful life. By investigating the process of becoming a thriver after experiencing domestic violence, this research underscores the pivotal role of post-traumatic growth and the long-term nature of the process in survivorship. The findings point to the need for comprehensive, trauma-informed, survivor-centered support systems that promote sustained well-being and empowerment. They also highlight the need for shifts in perspective by advocates, mental health practitioners, family and friends, and policymakers, as well as the public in general, on how surviving after domestic violence is seen and experienced to one that recognizes the potential for profound personal growth and transformation beyond mere survival. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLink ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolimk.edu)

Comments

Kader Gumus

ORCID: #0009-0005-1311-460X

Dr. Kader Gumus is an independent consultant with over a decade of experience providing IT consulting and leadership services in federal government contracting. Her expertise spans strategic planning, project/program management, knowledge management, and organizational change management. She has worked extensively with the Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. House of Representatives, supporting over 35 Members of Congress and their legislative staff during special elections and the transition of retiring Members. By integrating knowledge and change management practices, Dr. Gumus has delivered sustainable solutions that modernized operations and improved efficiency.

Dr. Gumus holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University, a Master of Science in Organization Development and Knowledge Management (ODKM) from George Mason University, and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. She also pursued advanced studies in European Policy at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

A passionate public advocate for domestic violence survivors, Dr. Gumus has made significant contributions to community well-being and survivor-centered services in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Since 2019, she has served as an appointed member of the Fairfax County Council to End Domestic Violence (CEDV) in Virginia and as an honorary council member with The Women’s Center, a nonprofit organization providing mental health support services in Virginia. As a frequent public speaker, she addresses critical topics such as domestic violence, trauma and recovery, post-traumatic growth, and women’s leadership, inspiring diverse audiences through her expertise and personal experiences.

Born and raised in Köln, Germany, Dr. Gumus is a proud first-generation American and is fluent in German, Turkish, French, Spanish, and English. She embraces her identity as a multicultural scholar-practitioner dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and trauma-informed practices. She is also the proud mother of two children.

Presentations

2024

Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence – Podcast Guest Speaker: "Breaking the Cycle of Abuse"

International Leadership Association (ILA), 26th Global Conference – Architects of Change, Leaders, Followers & Communities – Panel Presenter: "Courage and Activism: Exploring Constructs and Case Studies: The Role of Civil Courage in Advocacy"

University of New Mexico, Mentorship Institute Annual Conference – Presenter: "Maximizing Success: Onboarding & Mentoring for Productive, Integrated Employees"

Fairfax County, VA, Board of Supervisors Annual Budget Hearing – Advocate Testimony for DV/SV Services

The Women’s Center 2024 Annual Leadership Conference – Speaker

ThriverZone – Guest Speaker: "Thrivership Post-Domestic Violence"

2023

Voicing the Silence Concert, UUCF Sanctuary, VA – Speaker: "Finding Your Voice After Domestic Violence"

International Leadership Association (ILA), 25th Global Conference – Cultivating Leadership for a Thriving Future, Emerging Scholars Consortium – Poster Presenter: "Identity Transformation Post Abuse: From Victim to Survivor to Thriver"

Break the Cycle Support Group, The Women’s Center – Support Group Guest Speaker

Fairfax County, VA, Board of Supervisors Annual Budget Hearing – Advocate Testimony for DV/SV Services

2022

Fairfax County, VA, Board of Supervisors Annual Budget Hearing – Advocate Testimony for DV/SV Services

Community and Family Life Services (CFLS) – Support Group – Speaker: "Watching the Grass Grow"

International Leadership Association (ILA), Women & Leadership Conference, Portsmouth, UK – Panel Presenter: "Healthy Connections Mitigate Trauma"

Fairfax County TV – Public Awareness Campaign Speaker: Domestic Violence

2021

Fairfax County, VA, Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing – Advocate Testimony for DV/SV Services

Community and Family Life Services (CFLS) – More Than Conference – Presenter: "Barriers to Justice: When Immigrant Women Face Domestic Violence"

2020

Fairfax County, VA, Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing – Advocate Testimony for DV/SV Services

Fairfax County TV – Public Awareness Campaign on Domestic Violence During COVID-19: "You Are Not Alone" – Video Presenter in Multiple Languages

Publications

Gümüş, K., & Cohen, R. K. (2024). Maximizing success: Onboarding & mentoring for productive, integrated employees. The Chronicle of Mentoring & Coaching, 8(3), 165–169. https://doi.org/10.62935/4p5cxu

Awards

March of Dimes – Heroines of Washington Award – Technology Category – Finalist: Domestic Violence Advocacy Work (2024)

Distinguished Host Award – U.S. Congress – German Bundestag Exchange Program (CBYX) – Cultural Vistas – Recipient (2024)

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