VIENNA, Austria–The Global Women’s Leadership Network is reporting impressive growth. Managed in conjunction with the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), the organization now boasts more than 2,000 members from 78 countries around the world, according to its president, Sue Mitchell.
In remarks to a reception prior to WOCCU’s World Credit Union Conference here, Mitchell said the GWLN has grown to 33 sister societies, essentially its local chapters, and that number will soon be 40 as it adds six new sister societies in the Pacific Northwest as well as new membership in Brazil and Asia.
“We want to reinforce the vision we committed to in 2009,” said Mitchell. “We want to provide women with the opportunities and resources to make a meaningful difference to each other, to our credit unions, and to our communities. And we are doing that.”
And despite the name, the Global Women’s Leadership Network is also now open to men.
“We are championing and advocating for women worldwide, but it’s not about women vs. men,” said Mitchell, who has been involved with GWLN since its inception and whose company, Mitchell Stankovic, sponsored the reception.
To date the GWLN has also raised more than $2 million, much of which has gone to fund 47 scholarships for women in 22 countries to attend World Council events.
During the reception, the GWLN awarded its Athena Award, its highest honor, to Shana Richardson, the CEO of California-based SerTech.
“The Global Women’s Leadership Network is not a project anymore,” said Richardson in accepting the award. “Everyone in this room is powerfully changing lives; there is a P&L now. Imagine the scale of this as it builds up.”
Update on Ukraine Project
Also during the reception, credit unions were given an update on the status of a World Council project taking place in Ukraine, which is being overseen and managed by a team made up of seven women. The project, which is underway in rural parts of the country, is aimed at expanding access to credit for those working in agriculture.
Credit unions and associations from Ireland, Poland and the U.S. have been involved. CUNA’s chief advocacy officer, Ryan Donovan, has also visited the country to help credit unions to build political support with the government.