Alterna Savings and Central 1 Credit Union (Central 1) are pleased to announce Liz Arkinstall, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Libro Credit Union, as the recipient of the 2019 Gary Gillam Award.
Jointly sponsored by Alterna Savings and Central 1, the Gary Gillam Award for corporate social responsibility is presented annually to an individual who promotes credit unions as socially responsible alternatives to banks and other financial institutions.
Liz, the recipient of the award, is recognized for her national and international leadership in sustainable corporate social responsibility. Liz began her journey in social sustainability and corporate responsibility by seeking out research and partnerships with industry experts to truly understand the possibilities. Over the years she has become a true leader in this area.
Her leadership led to Libro’s participation in southwestern Ontario’s first Impact Investing Fund, aimed at supporting community real estate programs, social enterprise and affordable housing developments, with 69 affordable housing units being constructed just this past year. She also directed the transformation of the credit union’s community engagement strategy to a social purpose business model focusing community investment on regional economic development, youth leadership, and money smarts. She spearheaded the initiative for Libro to become a Certified B Corporation and a member of the Responsible Investment Association.
Liz helped develop the first-ever Credit Union Community Impact Certificate at CCUA: an eight-week professional development program designed to teach credit union staff and board members how to create positive impacts within their communities, and she continues as a facilitator for that program.
In addition to her many volunteer activities, she is often sought out as a speaker and she willingly shares her expertise whenever possible.
Alterna Savings and Central 1 will contribute a total of $2,500 to be donated on behalf of Liz to two charities of her choice. Liz has asked that her award be split between the Pillar Non-Profit Network (social enterprise support) in London, Ontario and the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Windsor.
The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver.