GWLN Scholarship Program

 

The 2023 Scholarship Program is now closed. GWLN is no longer accepting applications.
Scholarship winners will be announced at the end of March 2023.

Scholarship Program Overview

As part of our mission to empower women in leadership in credit unions worldwide, the Global Women's Leadership Network offers an annual scholarship program to female leaders from the global credit union industry. Learning opportunities are made available to scholars through in person and virtual events so they can diversity skill sets, engage with other credit union professionals on a global scale and become better prepared to lead financial cooperatives in the future.

Since 2009, GWLN has awarded 70 scholarships to women from 30 countries. Scholarships are made possible through funding from GWLN memberships and industry champion sponsorships, including the generous support of CO-OP Financial Services, CUNA Mutual Group, CU Direct, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, PSCU and the Susan Adams Scholarship Fund which was established in honor of former Entrust Financial Credit Union CEO Susan Adams supported by One AZ Credit Union.

These annual awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated leadership and exemplify a commitment to improving lives through financial cooperatives.


The GWLN 2023 scholarship will award winners the opportunity to attend EITHER an IN PERSON or YEAR-LONG VIRTUAL learning opportunity.

ONE IN PERSON LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

  • 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), will feature renowned keynote speakers and more than 30 educational sessions geared toward solving global credit union challenges. Scholars will receive conference registration fees, travel costs and hotel accommodation to attend the 2023 WCUC. Scholars will participate in all GWLN events, connect with scholarship supporters, GWLN members and Sister Society leaders, and engage with conference attendees throughout WCUC. Focusing on professional development, scholars engage in interactive dialogue sessions, expand their knowledge and grow professional relationships.

TWO VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

  • eLeaderHUB by eLeadership Academy - Year-round focus on leadership growth

    Scholars will receive access to eLeaderHUB by eLeadership Academy and can begin the learning cycle immediately. The program includes monthly live webinars, micro-training, worksheets, tools, self-assessments, and a global community of like-minded credit union professionals. The eLeaderHUB course also includes access to the annual FOCUS Virtual Summit (April 27, 2023) and semi-annual EVOLVE Workshops.

    AND

  • Women in Global Development Leadership Forum (WILD network), May 3-4, 2023

    This year’s theme is Leading in this Moment. This will include live programming in 23 time zones for women’s advancement in global leadership, along with virtual skil1-building workshops pre and post Forum and much more. Scholars will gain transformative insights from leaders, exchange ideas and tools, and learn from a global community.

 

Eligibility, Process, Timeline and Selection

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements


To be eligible for the GWLN scholarship, individuals must:

  • Be women who are currently active in the credit union movement, either as an employee and/or volunteer with a credit union or a financial cooperative.
  • Demonstrate passion, leadership and personal commitment to their credit union/financial cooperative, member community, and credit union system.
  • Be endorsed by a credit union, cooperative financial institution or national/regional association that is either a member of the World Council of Credit Unions or is affiliated with one of its members. A list of World Council member organizations can be found here.
  • Become active participants of GWLN activities throughout the year. Past scholarship winners, with the exception of immediate past year, may re-apply.

Application Process and Timeline 

An eligible application for the GWLN scholarship includes the following:

  • A completed application form by the candidate
  • Submission of the online application by International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023 to cuwomen@woccu.org. 

Evaluation and Selection 

  • A panel of GWLN and Worldwide Foundation staff and Sister Society leaders will review applications based upon the criteria noted in the eligibility requirements.
  • Scholarship recipients will be announced on March 31, 2023.

Scholarship Recipient Responsibilities

Scholarship recipients will be notified by GWLN and must accept or decline within 15 days of receiving award letter.  

As a GWLN scholar of the IN PERSON opportunity, scholars are required to:

  • Attend all GWLN-specific events during 2023 WCUC (Reception, Forum, Breakout Sessions).
  • Attend Sister Society meetings, in person in their home country or virtually connecting with other Sister Societies around the globe.

As a GWLN scholar of the VIRTUAL opportunities, scholars are required to:

  • Attend eLeaderHUB monthly live webinars, micro-trainings, FOCUS Virtual Summit (April 27, 2023) and semi-annual EVOLVE Workshops.
  • Attend the Women in Global Development Leadership Forum (WILD network), May 3-4, 2023.

 ALL scholars are encouraged to:

  • Join as a GWLN member with their one-year complimentary GWLN membership
  • Share international engagement on social media throughout the year.
  • Participate actively throughout the year in GWLN virtual events following the award, sharing experience and showcasing progress and growth in their credit unions/communities to GWLN members, Sister Society leaders and industry champions.