Global Women’s Leadership Network Fosters Professional Growth

Tuesday 23 January 2024

Leadership expert and executive coach Laurie Maddalena urged fellow women not to settle for less than they deserve during the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) Forum at the 2022 World Credit Union Conference in Scotland.

Maddalena explored why women are hesitant to promote themselves and their worth in the workplace.

The forum also featured a panel of women credit union leaders sharing perspectives on how to promote global financial inclusivity. Moderated by Maddalena, the panel featured Joselita Cardona, CEO at Most Holy Rosary Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the Philippines, and Karen Bennett, CEO at Enterprise Credit Union.

“I was delighted to represent the GB sector on behalf of our female professionals at the event in Glasgow,” says Karen. “Working in the credit union industry has given me the opportunity to meet many fantastic people, and we’re approaching an exciting time as a collective, in no small part down to the work of our women.”

The World Credit Union Conference is the annual site of the GWLN Forum, which began in 2009 in Barcelona, says Eleni Giakoumopoulos, GWLN Program Director. “Initially, it was a group of women talking about the global issues that were impacting them, how women could progress to more leadership roles in their respective financial cooperatives, and how they could support one another through personal and professional development,” she says.

Today, GWLN has engaged more than 4,500 leaders from 86 countries, including 155 “sister societies” in countries, states, and cities that support the network’s activities.

“There are numerous differences and yet many similarities for women’s advancement to leadership in every country we are present,” says Giakoumopoulos. “For some women, it’s advancing within their own cooperatives. For others, the leadership focuses on moving their cooperative systems forward or establishing basic financial services for women in their communities. But through our global perspective and our collective knowledge we empower one another. GWLN is a true international sisterhood.”

Karen Bennett added to delegates at the event in Glasgow, she said: “If you look at some of the brilliant credit unions up and down the country, you’ll see female leaders throughout, providing the stewardship and innovation that is so crucial to our collective success. I was inspired by all speakers and attendees at the session, and look forward to continuing the growth and development of females within in the sector.”