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2015 Global Women’s Leadership Forum provides women with personalized action plan
Ingrid Vanderveldt, leadership expert, educates on personal business success
DENVER, CO (July 14, 2015) — More than 160 female credit union leaders from 24 countries gathered in Denver, Colorado, USA, Sunday for the 2015 Global Women’s Leadership Forum during the World Credit Union Conference and America’s Credit Union Conference to discuss the advancement of credit union women in leadership. In the largest Leadership Forum event to date, participants heard from keynote speaker Ingrid Vanderveldt, CEO of Empowering a Billion Women by 2020, about tangible ways women can elevate themselves in leadership and their careers.
Sponsored by Westerra Credit Union and Premier Members Credit Union, Vanderveldt presented openly about her own personal experiences in business—both positive and negative—that led her to discover successful approaches in growing business relationships and leadership potential. In addition, she stressed the significant opportunity that results in investing in women.
“Why is it important to work with women? Right now, 91% of women do not believe that most organizations understand them,” said Vanderveldt. “But when women think that a corporation is authentically trying to help them succeed, 79% would try the product or service, 80% secure their loyalty to the brand that helped them and 92% pass that information on.”
Vanderveldt explained that when women find a balance within three mindsets—mentor, deal maker and innovator—they can substantially improve their efficiency and standing in their professional lives.
Each year, World Council’s Global Women’s Leadership Network presents its prestigious Athena Leadership Award. Inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology who stands for strength, courage, and wisdom, this award is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to women’s leadership in the international credit union movement. Lois Kitsch, National Credit Union Foundation national program director, and Marquetta White, Arizona State Credit Union board director, received this year’s award on Saturday evening at the Global Women’s Leadership Networking Reception, sponsored by Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates.
The Leadership Forum is the Network’s annual event held in conjunction with the World Credit Union Conference. Over 3,000 people from 61 countries are attending the World Credit Union Conference this week in Denver, USA, where they are learning from experts in leadership, technology, young adult membership growth and advocacy; visiting local credit unions; and networking with international peers at a variety of special events. The conference ends 15 July with the closing night reception at Denver Performing Arts Complex Sculpture Park.
Follow conference activities, including daily event photos, on Facebook and Twitter using #CUinDenver2015 or #CUwomen.
Photo captions: Ingrid Vanderveldt, CEO of Empowering a Billion Women by 2020, discussed women leadership lessons at the 2015 Global Women’s Leadership Forum in Denver; Brian Branch (left), World Council president and CEO, and Sue Mitchell (right), Global Women’s chair, present the 2015 Athena Award to Lois Kitsch (center), national program director of the National Credit Union Foundation; Branch and Mitchell present the 2015 Athena Award to Marquetta White (center), board director of the Arizona State Credit Union, on behalf of the Global Women’s Leadership Network at Saturday’s Network Reception in Denver.
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions’ financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 105 countries serve 217 million people. Learn more about World Council’s impact around the world at www.woccu.org.