Advancing Women's Leadership: Global Virtual Summit Ignites Knowledge, Network and Action
GWLN and HerCsuite® Partner to Share Insights on Key Leadership Essentials
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.
