Sandra McDowell, an internationally recognized speaker on mindfulness, leadership and the neuroscience and linkages behind those concepts, will address the World Council Young Credit Union People (WYCUP) program during the World Credit Union Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, July 17-20.

Not only is McDowell a speaker, she is also a former WYCUP scholarship winner and vice president for communication and culture at First Credit Union in Powell River, British Columbia. Outside of this role, she founded the eLeadership Academy to support the leadership development of others online.

McDowell’s appearance, which will be sponsored by a grant from CUNA Mutual Group, is part of the educational sessions and networking opportunities designed for participants age 35 and younger at the World Credit Union Conference.

"As the median age of credit union members and management both rise, we develop young talent to lead the global credit union movement, said Brian Branch, World Council president/CEO. ”Young leaders are already stepping into leadership roles. These young leaders are finding new ways to tap into their innate wisdom and leadership capacities. Mindfulness is a great tool for credit union professionals to achieve that goal and to bring focus to the missions of their individual credit unions as well."

Participants will learn how distractions can negatively impact their performance as leaders, and how self-awareness and focus can increase effectiveness. Participants will gain an increased understanding of how to harness the brain for improved productivity, communication, and overall wellbeing. In the afternoon, McDowell will lead WYCUP participants through an activity that will engage them in these practices and show them the benefits of mindful leadership.

The WYCUP program will showcase the work of young credit union professionals worldwide, and include presentations from past WYCUP scholarship winners from Brazil, Canada, Jamaica and the United States. During the WYCUP networking lunch sponsored by Servus CU, Edmonton, Alberta, participants will interact with their international peers and World Council board members.