MADISON, Wis.––The World Council of Credit Unions has announced the six winners of its Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) scholarships.
Among the winners is Dorothy Mambulasa, the IT projects officer for Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Union Cooperatives, who has set a goal of starting an information technology firm specializing in providing free IT training to young women in the country.
“My participation in the women mentorship Forum will open up some opportunities including learning how to do business effectively, the women’s Forum would also expose me to the international business which would be an asset of taking the company to the international markets,” said Mambulasa.
According to Mambulasa, just one in every 25 IT workers in Malawi is female, and she’s looking to improve that ratio in her mission to advance the lives of the women, their families and their communities. While technology is progressing in Malawi, it is still behind other African nations, she said.
The GWLN community, and its scholarship, will help her “to ‘go global’ instantly and become part of a ready-made alliance of countries while cultivating regular sources of income for their homes as well as community over the long term by exchanging their own experiences and achievements,” according to the organization.
Calyn Ostrowski, executive director of the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions at the World Council of Credit Unions, said the “2017 cohort of applicants was the strongest we’ve seen to-date and certainly the largest pool of candidates in Network history. It was not easy to select the six finalists; however, we ultimately chose these women due to their tenacity, leadership, and embodiment of the credit union philosophy of people helping people. We believe these six women are uniquely poised to grow personally and professionally, creating a ripple effect in the communities they serve, and ultimately improving the lives of thousands around the world.”
Lisa Lambrecht, president/CEO of $77-million Entrust Financial Credit Union in Richmond, Va., received the Susan Adams scholarship from the GWLN to help her make connections around the world and learn from others how they’re serving members in different areas of the world. The Susan Adams scholarship was established in honor of the late Susan Adams, previous CEO of Entrust Financial Credit Union.
“As a woman who’s worked my way up through the industry over the last 18 years, if I hadn’t had female mentors while trying to go to school and have a family and work my way up—it’s important to know you can do this and be supported,” Lambrecht said.
Lambrecht noted that 85% of her employees are women. Lambrecht said she tells her employees, “There are no limits. You keep going, and push them outside their comfort zone.”
The four other 2017 scholarship winners include:
- Dana Zamora, VP of Human Resources and Training, Partner Colorado Credit Union
- Michelle Ambersley (Jamaica), Manager, Jamaica Broilers Group Co-Operative Credit Union Limited
- Loku Udari (Sri Lanka), Communications Manager, Federation of Thrift and Credit Cooperative Society Limited of Sri Lanka
- Scholastica Odhiambo (Kenya), Director, Hazina SACCO Society Limited, CO-OP Holding
Ostrowski explained that the GWLN typically only provides three or four scholarships, but so many deserving applications came in this year, it was expanded to six.
GWLN scholarship winners receive:
- Complimentary one-year membership to the GWLN
- Complimentary GWLN Leadership Forum registration, July 23, which takes place during the World Credit Union Conference
- Complimentary registration to the World Credit Union Conference
- An all-expense paid trip to the 2017 World Credit Union Conference in Vienna, Austria, July 22 – 26th.
Since its inception, 47 scholarships have been provided to women from 22 countries, according to the GWLN. Women who can demonstrate leadership in contributing to their community, organization and credit union system are eligible to apply, and they must demonstrate financial need.