WYCUP Emerging Leaders' Summit Kicks off with Lesson on 'CUpreneurship'

Erin Hancock at the WYCUP Emerging Leaders' Summit

Taking the initiative to bring your internal perspectives forward to improve your organization is something everyone in the credit union sector can employ. 

That was the message Erin Hancock, an ICUDE and Education Manager for the International Centre for Co-operative Management (Canada), on Sunday afternoon delivered to young credit union professionals during the WYCUP Emerging Leaders’ Summit. 

Hancock spoke about employing what she calls “CUpreneurship”, defined by taking initiative, embracing the cooperative model and thinking like a social entrepreneur.

“For your credit union or your SACCO, your financial cooperative—you get to advance the mission. You get to make the most of the internal talent, yourself and those around you are probably sparked by the sparked by the energy you bring too,” said Hancock. “Where you are in the organization and your own perspective, your own history has huge value. You may be the only one who sees things like that.”

The WYCUP Emerging Leaders' Summit followed the Global Women's Leadership Network Forum, wrapping up a full day of education, collaboration and networking on the eve of the 2025 World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm.