GWLN is now accepting scholarship applications from credit union women

The Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN), an initiative of the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), opened the annual scholarship on November 15, offering learning opportunities during 2024 for women in the credit union space to advance leadership skills.

The GWLN 2024 scholarship will award up to four (4) winners the opportunity to attend the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) in Boston, MA, USA from July 21-24 to learn, network and engage with the largest gathering of credit union professionals in the world. The GWLN scholarship includes airfare, hotel and registration fees for 2024 WCUC.

Since 2009, GWLN has awarded 100 scholarships to women leaders in the credit union community from over 30 countries. These annual awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated leadership and exemplify a commitment to improving lives through financial cooperatives.

Scholars will connect with the heart of the global credit union movement during five (5) full days of learning, networking and exchange. The 2024 scholars will participate in all GWLN events, connect with scholarship supporters, GWLN members and Sister Society leaders while engaging with conference attendees throughout WCUC. Focusing on professional development, scholars evolve through interactive dialogue sessions, expanding their knowledge and growing professional relationships at the conference.

“I was drawn to GWLN because of its mission to create a more equitable world, where women have equal access to opportunities and resources as their male counterparts. As someone who is passionate about women's leadership and gender equity, GWLN is offering a meaningful and impactful way for me to get involved and make a difference,” said Naddian Abraham-Damier, a 2023 scholar, who attended the World Credit Union Conference in Vancouver, Canada.

Scholarships are made possible through funding from GWLN memberships and industry champion sponsorships. In 2023, sponsors included Co-op Solutions, TruStage, Origence, PSCU and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund which was established in honor of former Entrust Financial Credit Union CEO Susan Adams supported by One AZ Credit Union.

“GWLN will be celebrating 15 years in 2024, and it’s an exciting time for the network. The annual scholarship program is essential to our work for women’s advancement to leadership in our global movement. We have seen the tremendous impact the scholars have made for women in their credit unions and communities. We must continue our collective efforts in growing the program,” said Lena Giakoumopoulos, GWLN Director.

The scholarship portal will close on December 15, 2023. Scholarship winners will be announced in January 2024.

To learn more about the GWLN scholarship, please visit CUWomen.org.