Women’s Leadership Takes Center Stage at Asian Credit Union Forum 2024
GWLN Director Eleni Giakoumopoulos addresses closing gender gap in Bali
Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) Director Eleni Giakoumopoulos made her first ever presentation at an Asian credit union conference by leading sessions on empowering women to become leaders at September’s Asian Credit Union Forum 2024 in Bali, Indonesia.
Eleni Giakoumopoulos
Asian Confederation of Credit Unions’ (ACCU) CEO Elenita San Roque, who has worked to expand the reach of GWLN Sister Societies to more than 20 Asian countries and received the 2016 Athena Leadership Award, invited Giakoumopoulos to give a September 7 main stage presentation that focused on strategies to close the gender gap and foster inclusive leadership within the credit union sector.
GWLN members at the Asian Credit Union Forum 2024
Giakoumopoulos explored practical strategies for promoting gender diversity, inclusivity and equality within credit unions to empower women leaders, emphasizing that women must make their voice heard and seize leadership opportunities to tackle barriers and change the numbers for women in leadership.
She encouraged male leaders to engage in women's empowerment efforts by opening conversations and providing opportunities for women to thrive.
Elenita San Roque and Younsik Kim
"We are doing this not just for us today but for the next generation—our daughters, granddaughters and their children," said Giakoumopoulos. “Women are an influential force in the global economy. In line with the mission of World Council to advance financial inclusion through the credit union and cooperative model, we are committed to championing economic empowerment for women through the Global Women's Leadership Network by consciously promoting gender equity and equality. It's smart for our countries, our credit unions and our communities when we invest in women.”
Along with her main stage presentation, Giakoumopoulos also participated in a three-day Women’s Workshop held in the days leading up to the Forum.
Kim reelected as ACCU Board Chair
ACCU reelected Younsik Kim as its Board Chair during the Forum. Kim is Chair of the National Credit Union Federation of Korea (NACUFOK) and has served as a WOCCU Board Director since 2018.
WOCCU Board Director George Ombado, who serves as Executive Director of the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA), also participated in the Forum, sitting on a panel that discussed policy advocacy and regulatory frameworks, and the crucial role they play in shaping the trajectory of credit unions across the region.
Tony, a 2024 WOCCU Board Fellow and IT Manager for PUSKOPCUINA in Indonesia, took part in the Forum as well, moderating sessions on digital solutions for members and cybersecurity challenges facing credit unions.
