The World Council of Credit Unions’ Board of Directors has selected Elissa McCarter LaBorde as the organization’s new president/CEO. LaBorde brings more than 20 years of experience leading organizations in delivering financial services to underserved communities across the globe.

“Congratulations to Elissa for being named the next leader of the World Council of Credit Unions," said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “CUNA and our partners look forward to working with her as World Council continues to ensure the international success of not-for-profit financial cooperatives."

LaBorde was unanimously selected by the WOCCU Board of Directors, according to Rafał Matusiak, World Council Board chair.

LaBorde has served since 2009 as CEO of Vitas Group, a for-profit holding company she established under Global Communities, an international development and humanitarian aid organization that operates in 27 countries.

She has also served as Global Communities’ vice president of development finance for the past 16 years, overseeing the non-profit organization’s strategy, investment and fundraising efforts, and thought leadership in financial inclusion.

LaBorde has lived and worked in five countries (France, Benin, Armenia, Turkey, and Zimbabwe) and has traveled to over 70 countries around the world. She is a published author of two books, as well as academic journals and essays that span a number of topics related to financial inclusion and economic development.

“World Council of Credit Unions is a well-known and respected organization with massive reach and the potential to truly deliver next-generation financial products and services to last-mile customers all over the globe. I am honored to join its work in expanding the credit union footprint and its mission to improve the lives of its vast network of members, especially in lower-income and disadvantaged communities. The opportunity to lead and rethink how we scale financial services by leveraging technology and building on the trust that credit unions uniquely have in so many places is exciting,” said LaBorde, who will start at World Council in August.

LaBorde will be the first woman to serve as World Council's president/CEO. She will succeed Brian Branch, who announced his retirement earlier this year.