The Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) presented the Athena Award to Manfred Alfonso Dasenbrock, Sicredi Confederation Chair and World Council board director during Tuesday’s general session at the 2018 World Credit Union Conference. The award, inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology who stands for strength, courage, and wisdom is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to women's leadership in the international credit union movement.
Susan Mitchell, Global Women Chair and CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates presented the award to Dasenbrock, recognizing Dasenbrock’s commitment, dedication, and passion to advancing opportunities so women can thrive, credit unions can advance and communities can improve.
“We are extremely grateful to the work he has done for Global Women in his part of the world,” said Mitchell. “His commitment to Global Women truly embodies the spirit of this award.”
Since Global Women’s inception in 2009, Sicredi has supported the initiative by sponsoring large contingencies of female leaders to attend the annual forum each year. In 2016, Sicredi worked with Global Women to establish Brazil’s first Sister Society and World Council’s first chapter in South America. In 2017, Sicredi held its first Women’s Leadership Summit to enhance women’s leadership potential and expand diversity in the Brazilian credit union movement. In 2018, Sicredi committed to expanding Sister Society chapters across Brazil and is adding 22 chapters nationwide.
“This award is an incentive to work more and empowers us to do even better for the credit union movement,” said Dasenbrock.
Also present were the winners of the annual scholarship program. Each year Global Women awards three to four scholarships to female leaders within the credit union industry so they may acquire new skills, tools and resources to make an impact and further professional development.
The 2018 scholarship winners are:
- Mambo Hariett Tangu - Mitanyen Cooperative Credit Union (Cameroon)
- Njeri (Jeri) Kontulahti – Vancity (Canada)
- Beth Welsh - Pioneer Mutual Credit Union Ltd (Great Britain)
- Sekanawo Chiwayula - Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Malawi)
The four scholarship winners received complimentary one-year membership to the Global Women’s Leadership Network, complimentary registration for the 2018 World Credit Union Conference and an all-expense-paid trip to the 2018 WCUC in Singapore.
For her first participation in Global Women at the 2018 WCUC, Sarita Timsina Bhattarai from the National Cooperative Bank Limited, Nepal was sponsored by Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates.
Since 2009, Global Women has awarded 47 scholarships to women from 22 countries. Women who demonstrated leadership in contributing to their community, organization and credit union system, as well as demonstrated financial need were eligible to apply.
Scholarships are made possible through funding from annual membership donations and sponsorships, including the generous support of CUNA Mutual Group (USA), Burns-Fazzi, Brock & Associates (USA), and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund, which was established in honor of former Entrust Financial Credit Union CEO Susan Adams supported by OneAZ and PSCU.
Breakout sessions on diversity, gender inclusion and growing young leadership talent continue throughout the conference. The 2018 World Credit Union Conference concludes 18 July with a closing reception at the Suntec Convention Center.
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Manfred Alfonso Dasenbrock, Sicredi Confederation Chair addresses attendees
Susan Mitchell, Global Women Chair and CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates presents Athena Award to Manfred Alfonso Dasenbrock, Sicredi Confederation Chair