DENVER — More than 160 female credit union leaders from 24 countries gathered for the 2015 Global Women's Leadership Forum as part of the joint World Council of Credit Unions Conference and CUNA’s America’s Credit Union Conference to discuss the advancement of credit union women in leadership.
Ingrid Vanderveldt, CEO of Empowering a Billion Women by 2020, discussed women leadership lessons at the 2015 Global Women's Leadership Forum in Denver.
In what WOCCU said has been the largest Leadership Forum event to date, participants heard from keynote speaker Ingrid Vanderveldt, CEO of Empowering a Billion Women by 2020, about tangible ways women can elevate themselves in leadership and their careers.
Sponsored by Westerra Credit Union and Premier Members Credit Union, Vanderveldt shared her own personal experiences in business—both positive and negative—that led her to discover successful approaches in growing business relationships and leadership potential. In addition, she stressed the significant opportunity that results in investing in women.
"Why is it important to work with women? Right now, 91% of women do not believe that most organizations understand them," said Vanderveldt.
Brian Branch (left), World Council president and CEO, and Sue Mitchell (right), Global Women's chair, present the 2015 Athena Award to Lois Kitsch (center), national program director of the National Credit Union Foundation.
"But when women think that a corporation is authentically trying to help them succeed, 79% would try the product or service, 80% secure their loyalty to the brand that helped them and 92% pass that information on."
Vanderveldt explained that when women find a balance within three mindsets—mentor, deal maker and innovator—they can substantially improve their efficiency and standing in their professional lives.
In addition, as part of World Council's Global Women's Leadership Network, the prestigious Athena Leadership Awards were presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to women's leadership in the international credit union movement. Recognized were Lois Kitsch, National Credit Union Foundation national program director, and Marquetta White, Arizona State Credit Union board director. The awards were presented at an evening session sponsored by Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates.
Brian Branch, CEO of WOCCU, and Sue Mitchell, right, Global Women’s Leadership Network chair, present the 2015 Athena Award to Marquetta White, board director of the Arizona State Credit Union, on behalf of the Global Women's Leadership Network at a Network Reception in Denver