World Council of Credit Unions Announces Leadership Transition

Elissa McCarter LaBorde departs as President and CEO

MADISON, Wis.—The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) announced Tuesday that Elissa McCarter LaBorde is leaving her position as President and CEO.

“We thank Elissa for her years of service at an unprecedented time in WOCCU's history and celebrate the organization's success under her leadership,” said Michael Lawrence, Chair of the WOCCU Board of Directors.

With WOCCU at a strategic crossroads, it was an opportune time for the organization to refocus on its core trade association activities and advocacy mission. The WOCCU Board has already initiated a search for a permanent President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board remains committed to identifying a strategic leader who will build upon the organization's strong foundation and guide it into its next chapter.

Paul Treinen will serve as Interim CEO of both WOCCU and the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU), which McCarter LaBorde also oversaw in her role with the organization. Mr. Treinen retired from WOCCU in 2023, following a distinguished seven-year career as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. His deep understanding of the organization's mission and operations positions him well to lead during this transitional period.

Under Paul’s leadership, the Board is confident there will be no disruption to the trade association's services, ongoing projects, partnerships or contracts. The WOCCU and WFCU management teams remain focused on supporting our global membership’s needs and delivering against our project plans and donor commitments.

We look forward to delivering an outstanding 2025 World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, July 14-16, and executing the Rally the Movement initiatives so many industry groups and individuals donated to earlier this year. 

"We are confident in Paul's leadership and ability to ensure continuity during this time of change," added Lawrence. "WOCCU and WFCU remain focused on advancing the global credit union movement and delivering continued value to our members, partners and donors."

“Under Paul’s leadership and direction, we are confident the work of the foundation will continue uninterrupted,” said William (Bill) Cheney, Chair of the WFCU Board of Directors. “The WFCU board looks forward to working with Paul during this period of change and transition.”

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. 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, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.