Advancing Women’s Leadership: Global Virtual Summit ignites Knowledge, Network and Action
GWLN and HerCsuite® Partner to Share Insights on Key Leadership Essentials
MADISON, WI (November 1, 2024) — Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) on October 30 and 31 hosted a virtual Executive Readiness Summit focused on Knowledge, Network and Action to advance women’s leadership.
Partnering with HerCsuite® for a second time, GWLN designed the event to bring perspectives from both inside and outside the credit union movement, delivering insights crucial for today’s leaders.
The Summit brought together 80 attendees from 40 credit unions and other organizations across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Panama, El Salvador, Ecuador and Peru, including representatives from 19 GWLN Sister Societies.
The event highlighted GWLN’s expansive impact across diverse geographical reach and leadership roles in the credit union industry.
“The sessions provided tools and strategies that empower women to navigate and thrive in leadership roles, reinforcing the credit union movement’s dedication to gender inclusivity and leadership excellence,” said Eleni Giakoumopoulos, GWLN Director.
The event featured four pivotal areas for leadership growth:
- Leading with Purpose. A session, led by Ilhiana Rojas Saldana, Principal and Certified Executive & DEI Coach at BeLIVE Coaching & Consulting, focused on building authentic leadership by connecting purpose to performance and creating a culture of inspired leadership.
- Landing a Board Role. Naomi Kent, CEO of The Boardroom Co., took participants through creating a compelling 90-second pitch, standing out on LinkedIn with personal brand and using the existing network to discover board opportunities.
- Sticky Communication. Mylene Barizo, Principal at Leadership Ladder, LLC, provided strategies for effective engagement, refreshing communication styles, alternative thinking systems and trust-building patterns.
- Executive Sponsorship. HerCsuite® Founder and CEO Natalie Benamou joined panelists Jenny Vipperman, President and CEO of ORNL Federal Credit Union, Gisele Gomes, CEO and Founder of Parônima – Learning Systems, and Emma Hayes, Chief Learning and Engagement Officer at State Employees’ Credit Union, to explore how executive women secure sponsors and the role of sponsorship in career growth.
This year’s Summit reaffirmed GWLN’s commitment to fostering environments where women can expand their knowledge, develop critical networks, and drive actionable steps in their leadership journeys.
The event was made possible in both English and Spanish through the valued support of Velera, our annual network sponsor.
Global Women’s Leadership Network inspires, connects, and empowers women with the opportunities and resources to make a measurable difference in the lives of each other, in the lives of credit union members and in their communities. To learn more and donate, visit GWLN. To connect, find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
2024 GWLN Virtual Executive Readiness Summit
Clockwise from top left: Natalie Benamou, Emma Hayes, Jenny Vipperman, Gisele Gomes
About World Council of Credit Unions
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
