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Writer's pictureKelsie Papenhausen

Global Women’s Leadership Network Awards 12 Scholarships

Scholars to receive either in person or virtual engagement opportunities in 2023


Four scholars will attend the GWLN Network Forum at WCUC 2023

MADISON, Wis.—Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) on Monday awarded 12 scholarships to industry women, officially making them members of the Network and providing them with opportunities for professional development, networking and skill diversification.


New in 2023, GWLN is giving recipients the ability to attend either an in-person engagement or year-long virtual education and networking events.


The 2023 GWLN Scholarship recipients of the in-person engagement are

  • Naddian Abraham-Damier, Dominica

  • Evelyn Olunja, Kenya

  • Mercy Tumukunde, Uganda

  • Ana Martinez, USA

They will receive the complimentary registration to the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) in Vancouver, Canada, July 23-26, 2023, co-hosted by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA), (including, travel, hotel accommodation and a stipend). The 2023 GWLN Scholarship recipients of the year-long virtual engagement are:

  • Sadie Austin, Barbados

  • Almira Sagatova, Kazakhstan

  • Jane Ndambiri, Kenya

  • Lauren Foley, United Kingdom

  • Emily Kohl, USA

  • Cait Murray, USA

  • Mary Lyimo, Tanzania

  • Dorothy Chiluba, Zambia

They will receive two virtual learning opportunities beginning right away with a year-round focus on leadership growth. Through GWLN partnerships with eLeaderHUB by eLeadership Academy and the WILD Network, scholars will have access to the annual FOCUS Virtual Summit on April 27, 2023, semi-annual EVOLVE Workshops, monthly live webinars and micro-trainings, as well as the Women in Global Development Leadership Forum (WILD Network), May 3-4, 2023.


“We’re very excited to be able to offer a larger number of scholarships this year due to the continued support of our industry partners and membership base. These 12 scholars were selected from a record number of more than 60 applicants,” said Lena Giakoumopoulos, GWLN Director. “The new synergies have proven beneficial for the growth of our scholarship program and our effort to engage more women through the global credit union system.”


Since 2009, GWLN has awarded 100 scholarships to women from 30 countries.

Scholarships and empowerment grants are made possible through funding from annual memberships and corporate donations from Co-op Solutions, CUNA Mutual Group, PSCU and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund supported by One AZ Credit Union.


World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform 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 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 87,914 credit unions in 118 countries serve 393 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.

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