ABCUL’s Young Professionals and Women’s Leadership Network Collaborate with World Council

Monday 29 January 2024

Last month, ABCUL’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) hosted a webinar in collaboration with the British Chapter of the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN). The webinar acted as an introduction to those who wanted to know more about these special interest groups and welcomed guests from the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) – partner organisation to the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).

Eleni Giakoumopoulos is the GWLN Director at the WFCU and she presented to the group on the importance and role of the GWLN and its ‘Sister Societies’ across the world.

“I’m always happy to be engaging with our colleagues in GB and seeing the interest in the Global Women’s Leadership Network” said Lena. “It’s inspiring to see how others in the international credit union arena want to play a part in women’s advancement in leadership. We all must continue to collectively work to make a greater impact on women through credit unions and financial cooperatives.”

Next year the GWLN will celebrate its 15^th anniversary and Lena gave thanks to the GB Sister Society for “providing opportunities and empowering women to make their voice heard.” The GWLN is currently offering a scholarship opportunity to attend the World Credit Union Conference in Boston (July 2024).

Furthermore, Ari Farrell, World Young Credit Union Professionals Program Manager at WFCU joined the webinar to highlight the importance of young professionals in the credit union sector.

Ari said: “I am excited to have the WYCUP Network and Scholarship program continuing to engage and grow in GB. Young Professionals are always the driving force for the future of the international Credit Union Movement. To support that providing access and knowledge to grow and develop is vital, and we know that we cannot do it alone, and we must be willing to share our journeys and bring others along with us at all levels.”

The webinar was hosted by the newly-elected YPN Chair, Emily Alexander (Penny Post Group) who said: “I truly feel so inspired and motivated, and I hope we can continue this amazing partnership to inspire so many more women and young people in the Credit Union movement.”