Eight Scholarships Awarded by Global Women’s Leadership Network

MADISON, Wis.—The Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) awarded eight scholarships to industry women, allowing them to join the Network and gain opportunities for professional development, networking and skill diversification.

The 2021 scholarship winners include:

• Jane Ndambiri, Junior Clerk, Taifa Sacco Society Ltd, Kenya
• Gertrude Wambuga, Board Director, Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-Operative Ltd (KUSCCO), Kenya
• Charo Jawadu, Business Development Manager, Mudi SACCO, Malawi
• Patience Duduzile Sembereka, United Civil Servants SACCO, Malawi
• Mary Rose Gob, Certified Cooperative Manager, National Confederation of Cooperatives, The Philippines
• Elizabeth Kanyane Khumalo, People Empowerment Co-operative Financial Institution, South Africa
• Rachel Chojnacki, Calcite Credit Union, USA
• Dawn Lepore, Vantage West Credit Union, USA

The scholars will receive:

• A complimentary registration to the 2021 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC).
• A complimentary one-year membership to the Global Women’s Leadership Network.
• A complimentary registration to the 2021 Virtual Executive Readiness Summit (October 27-29).

They are required to attend all GWLN forum sessions at WCUC on July 19, 2021 during the Worldwide Foundation Bridge the Gap series and provide updates to GWLN during the year, showcasing progress and growth in their credit unions. The 2021 scholars will also be joined by the four 2020 scholars representing Ghana, the Philippines, the U.S. and Uganda.

“The World Economic Forum recently reported that it estimates the gender gap will not be closed for another 135.6 years, pushing back the progress on gender equality for a generation,” said Lena Giakoumopoulos, program director for the Global Women’s Leadership Network. “GWLN is focused on actively being part of the solution toward closing gender gaps and investing in credit union women around the globe who find themselves at the core of solutions for their credit unions, communities and homes."

Since 2009, GWLN has awarded more than 70 scholarships to women representing 25 countries.

“Thanks to the increased donations received by our supporters this year, we’re able to increase the learning opportunities made available to our scholars and double the number of recipients,” said Giakoumopoulos. “We’re proud to offer credit union women the opportunities to learn from leaders in the credit union space, fortify their professional tool kits and establish connections through the network that often evolve into life-long friendships.”

Scholarships are made possible through funding from annual membership donations and sponsorships, including the generous support of CO-OP Financial Services, CUNA Mutual Group, PSCU and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund supported by One AZ Credit Union.

The Global Women’s Leadership Network is an initiative of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, the fundraising and engagement arm of World Council. Join us on a global journey to transform a billion lives worldwide using credit unions. Visit www.doglobalgood.org/btg to start your global journey and join the Bridge the Gap campaign.  

The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, as the strategic partner of the World Council, bridges gaps impacting credit unions' ability to grow and advance financial inclusion worldwide. Our commitment to provide global credit union journeys augments our shared vision with World Council's of realizing a vibrant and growing global credit union movement. Worldwide Foundation's philanthropy advances World Council's technical capacity to strengthen credit union systems that advance financial inclusion to underserved communities. 

El Consejo Mundial de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito es la asociación gremial y agencia de desarrollo para el sistema internacional de cooperativas de ahorro y crédito. El Consejo Mundial promueve el crecimiento sustentable de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y otras cooperativas financieras en todo el mundo a fin de facultar a las personas para que mejoren su calidad de vida a través del acceso a servicios financieros asequibles y de alta calidad. El Consejo Mundial realiza esfuerzos de defensa activa en representación del sistema global de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito ante organizaciones internacionales y trabaja con gobiernos nacionales para mejorar la legislación y la regulación. Sus programas de asistencia técnica introducen nuevas herramientas y tecnologías para fortalecer el desempeño financiero de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito y profundizar su alcance comunitario.

El Consejo Mundial ha implementado 300+ programas de asistencia técnica en 90 países. A nivel mundial, 82,758 cooperativas de ahorro y crédito en 97 países atienden a 404 million de personas. Obtenga más información sobre el impacto global del Consejo Mundial en www.woccu.org.