Global Women’s Leadership Network to Name New Volunteer Chair
GWLN continues to grow with new leader
February 23, 2021
MADISON, Wis.—The Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) continues to blaze the DEI trail throughout the worldwide credit union movement with a relevant purpose—advancing women. GWLN’s mission is to provide women with opportunities to make a measurable difference in the lives of each other, their credit unions and their communities. World Council of Credit Unions will name the next GWLN volunteer chair when founding chairperson Susan Mitchell passes the baton.
“For more than ten years, GWLN has known that bridging the gaps in society requires cooperatives to unite around the world. I thank Brian Branch, President and CEO of World Council of Credit Unions, for asking me in 2009 to become the chair to help World Council build GWLN by working with volunteers worldwide. I am very proud of the work we have done and what we have created. There is no better time to strengthen our path forward,” said Mitchell. “I will be passing the baton, as World Council and Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions welcome a new GWLN volunteer chair on March 3, 2021 at the GWLN Virtual Breakfast during GAC.”
To date, the Global Women's Leadership Network has provided:
- 130 local Sister Societies on six continents.
- more than 4,500 women and men engaged from 85 countries.
- 64 scholarships to women worldwide.
- empowerment grants that started business development centers in Asia, entrepreneurial enterprises in North Macedonia, fed families in Kenya and provided financial counseling for pregnant high school girls wanting to graduate and apply for college in the United States.
“The GWLN numbers reflect the relevance and strength of a globally diverse, equitable and inclusive network,” said Lena Giakoumopoulos, GWLN Program Director.
The He for She movement illustrates GWLN’s inclusion, encouraging men to join the effort as members and wear pink ties to demonstrate visible commitment and growing scale of GWLN. In fact, GWLN pink items have become a major connector, as a “sea of pink” cloaks credit union events around the world.
“We thank Sue for her passion and commitment that has made a difference in the lives of thousands of credit union women around the world,” said Brian Branch. “We are grateful that Sue continues to serve with the Worldwide Foundation Board and World Council initiatives.”
Join us for the GWLN Breakfast at GAC to thank Sue Mitchell and welcome the new GWLN Volunteer Chair.
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.
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 82,758 credit unions in 97 countries serve 404 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: gneumann@woccu.org
Phone: +1 608-395-2048
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