ST. PAUL, Minn.–Credit union professionals from across Minnesota gathered here to celebrate the first year of the Minnesota Credit Union Women’s Leadership Network.
The Minnesota Credit Union Women’s Leadership Network is a local chapter of the World Council of Credit Unions’ Global Women’s Leadership Network. The purpose is to convene Minnesota’s women credit union professionals, discuss credit union issues, exchange ideas, network with neighboring credit union leaders, and share lessons learned with Global Women’s Leadership Network members worldwide.
“The Global Women's Leadership Network provides women opportunities and resources to improve the financial lives of their members and grow in their personal careers,” said 2017 Minnesota Credit Union Women’s Leadership Network Chair Deb Almirall. “Our Sister Society allows us to support the unique needs and interests of Minnesota’s credit union professionals on a local level while connecting with the worldwide not-for-profit financial community.”
The organization said its 2017 Leadership Network accomplishments include:
- 6 events held
- 93 unique attendees from 31 Minnesota credit unions participated
- 474 hours of professional development provided
- $1,260 raised for Global Women’s Leadership Network
- 5 Minnesota attendees at the Global Women’s Leadership Network Executive Readiness Summit
The anniversary celebration featured a presentation by Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Global Women's Leadership Network Executive Director Calyn Ostrowski.
“Despite making up more than 70% of credit union employment in the US, women lag behind male counterparts in executive and leadership roles,” Ostrowski said. “While we’ve made notable progress, work remains to accelerate the emergence of female credit union leaders – both in their communities and their careers.”
Incoming Minnesota Credit Union Women’s Leadership Network Chair Christine Cordell, SVP of Strategy & Transformation of Hiway Federal Credit Union, recognized outgoing Chair Deb Almirall, CEO of Minnesota Power Employees Credit Union, for her work establishing the sister society. The event also included a clothing drive for local nonprofit Dress for Success, which empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.