Members and supporters of World Council of Credit Unions' Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) embraced the challenge of a new decade and recognized one of the group’s emerging leaders at a Wednesday breakfast celebration held in conjunction with CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by PSCU and Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates, the event highlighted the successes for GWLN in the last decade, and the opportunities and challenges of the next 10 years.

Since 2009, GWLN has provided a suite of programming that has provided hundreds of women with tangible skills, tools and resources to help them grow as credit union leaders. The reach of the program has also spread to 26 countries through our network of 109 Sister Society chapters.

“And we’re starting early—empowering girls so they can become empowered women who will make an impact for years to come. Hope Welsh, daughter of our Great Britain Sister Society leader Beth, came into the world only last year, but she’s already a part of the GWLN family. It’s smart for our communities, our credit unions and our families when we invest in women. We will continue with that effort in this new decade,“ said Eleni Giakoumopoulos, GWLN program director.

Emerging Leader Award

GWLN leaders also announced Mai-Linh Hoang, Vice President of Marketing for Collins Community CU in Dubuque, Iowa, as the recipient of the 2019 Emerging Leader Award.

The annual award recognizes young women active within the field, making a significant impact on the industry and advancing the values of GWLN’s mission.

Hoang was one of the co-leaders who started GWLN’s Iowa Sister Society in 2017.

“I truly had no idea how far-reaching my work could be when we started this journey nearly three years ago. GWLN introduced me to a sisterhood that I never knew I needed. Now, my goal is to pave the way for future women and girls across the globe. As they navigate their future careers, I envision a world where they will have the access, resources and tools they need to reach their dreams,” said Hoang in a video message played during the celebration.

Collins Community CU CEO Stephanie Rupert accepted the award on Hoang's behalf.

This year’s GWLN Breakfast at GAC was the largest to date, with more than 350 people in attendance.