Lawrence becomes first Australian to lead WOCCU Board in more than 25 years

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) kicked off Tuesday’s general session of the 2024 World Credit Union Conference by introducing Michael Lawrence, CEO of Australia’s Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA), as its new Board Chair.

A member of WOCCU’s Board of Directors since 2018, Lawrence has also served as CEO of COBA, the industry body for Australia’s credit unions, building societies and mutual banks, and a WOCCU direct member, since December 2017. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

“There is certainly a common thread that links us all. It doesn't matter what part of the globe you're from, but it's rather about our values. It's the purpose that we have to help people and the communities in which we operate. It's the need for collaboration. And it's also the power of our collective endeavors.” said Lawrence. "As I connect with people more and more globally, and have conversations, the one thing I realize is that we all face very similar challenges, but equally we also face opportunities. And we need to front into these in a collective manner." 

Elected to serve as Chair by his fellow WOCCU Board Directors on Monday, Lawrence succeeds Diana Dysktra (USA), who is retiring.  

Delegates to Monday's WOCCU Annual General Meeting (AGM) also reelected current WOCCU Board Directors Manfred Dasenbrock (Brazil), Helene McManus (Ireland), George Ombado (Africa) and Joseph Remy (Caribbean).

The Board appointed Jim Morell, CEO of Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union and an America’s Credit Unions’ Board Director, to serve out the remainder of Dykstra’s term, and reappointed current Directors Dallas Bergl (USA), Joe Thomas (USA) and Jeff Guthrie (Canada).

WOCCU Board committee officers for 2024-25 are:

• Michael Lawrence (Australia), Chair.

• Joe Thomas (USA), Vice Chair/Secretary.

• Dallas Bergl (USA), Treasurer/Chair of Audit and Risk Committee.

• Linda Bowyer (Canada), Chair of Governance and Elections Committee.

• Rafal Matusiak (Poland), Chair of Refugees, Relief and Rebuilding Committee.

WFCU President encourages individuals to support global movement for ICU Day

Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ (WFCU) President Mike Reuter asked attendees of Tuesday’s general session to help elevate the awareness of how credit unions are changing the world on the 76th anniversary of International Credit Union (ICU) Day®.

The theme for ICU Day 2024, which will be celebrated on Thursday, October 17, is “One World Through Cooperative Finance”.

“Through your credit union lens, how do you see the world? How do you want to see the world change, using your institution and using credit unions? I encourage each and every one of you to think of that question in the context of International Credit Union Day,” said Reuter. “Where will you be on Thursday, October 17? Who do you want to impact? And how do you see the world being changed?”

Reuter also highlighted a new tradition that credit unions can be a part of for ICU Day 2024.

“The Worldwide Foundation is positioned as a global philanthropic leader in the credit union space, but we cannot do that without resources, and so, the concept of inspiring each one of you as individuals, in your personal philanthropy in celebration and unity of International Credit Union Day by making a generous $15 donation to the Foundation in exchange for an International Credit Union Day pin,” said Reuter. “We know pins are popular in the credit union space and we are hopeful that every year we’ll be able to create a collector’s pin in commemoration and honoring the new theme.”

WFCU has a limited number of pins at WCUC 2024 and is accepting $15 donations for them on site. The rest will be available online at woccu.org/icuday, beginning August 12.

Carayol stresses importance of inclusive leadership in keynote address

Executives who want to be successful in 2024 must forget about a top-down leadership style and embrace collaborative, inclusive leadership if they want their organizations to be successful in a technologically-driven and hybrid world.

That was the message Rene Carayol, a C-suite and business leadership expert, conveyed to the audience in Tuesday morning’s keynote address at WCUC 2024. He noted that this change was already happening when the global pandemic pushed it to new heights.

“Now, your people, your colleagues, your resources could be anywhere in the world—from any time zone, from any background, any faith, any education. All of a sudden, the leader had to change as well,” said Carayol. “The role of the leader now was to create an environment where everyone can flourish.”

Carayol’s emphasized that now, more than ever, leaders need to be present at all levels of an organization, not just at the top.

“Leaders are definitely not born. I believe leaders are found,” said Carayol. “There are a ton of leaders in this auditorium. I want to find you today. Where you work—your colleagues, people in your team, there are leaders there that have not yet been discovered. Liberate them. Free them.”

Still to come

The 2024 World Credit Union Conference continues Tuesday afternoon with breakout sessions that focus on cyberattack resilience and reaching underserved communities.

Follow conference activities and see daily event photos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram with #WCUC2024.

Presented in collaboration with the America’s Credit Unions, the 2024 World Credit Union Conference runs through Wednesday, July 24.