MADISON, Wis.–The World Council of Credit Unions has announced a number of board changes, while its incoming CEO also addressed the organization for the first time.
Joseph Remy of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions and Linda Bowyer of the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) have joined the board, while Allison Chaytor-Loveys and Aaron Moses of the CCUA have retired from the board after respective two- and five-year terms.
The changes were announced as part of WOCCU’s virtual annual general meeting. The virtual AGM also featured introductory remarks from incoming WOCCU President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde, and presentations of World Council’s Membership Growth Awards and the first-ever Digital Growth Award.
WOCCU reported delegates voted to have Director Jaime Chavez (FECOLFIN – Colombia) and Chair Rafał Matusiak (NACSCU - Poland) return to the board, with both winning contested elections for their at-large seats.
Reappointed to two-year terms were WOCCU board members Diana Dykstra and Carla Cicero, representing CUNA, and Younsik Kim of the National Credit Union Federation of Korea. The seven other current board members each have one year remaining on their terms.
The Board Committee
WOCCU said its board committee officers for 2021-22 are:
- Rafał Matusiak, Chair – Poland
- Diana Dykstra, Vice Chair/Secretary – USA
- Michael Lawrence, Treasurer/Chair of Audit & Risk Management Committee – Australia
- Martha Durdin, Chair of Governance & Elections Committee – Canada
- Younsik Kim, Chair of COVID-19 Response Committee – South Korea
- Joe Thomas, Chair of the U.S. Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee – USA
Incoming President Speaks
Meanwhile, WOCCU reported delegates to the AGM also got to hear from incoming WOCCU President and CEO Elissa McCatter LaBorde for the first time. As CUToday.info reported earlier, LaBorde will become the first woman to serve as chief executive of WOCCU when she takes over the role from outgoing President and CEO Brian Branch on August 16.
“There is a direct correlation in the level of human development in a country and its level of financial inclusion. So, we are in the right business,” said LaBorde. “We are at a moment in history where the world is changing, where we need leaders, and I see such an important position that credit unions and cooperative financial institutions have to lead in a way that is both smart for business and shows that kind of human compassion and deep-rooted presence in communities that you collectively represent.”