SYDNEY, Australia– Eleni Giakoumopoulos says as much as things have changed over the last decade, when it comes to women in leadership, not much has changed at all.
Giakoumopoulos, director of the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN), shared an update and a challenge during the Women’s Leadership Network luncheon hosted in conjunction with the World Credit Union Conference.
“There is a big data point from a recent World Economic Forum report: Women hold 24.6% of C-suite roles and 29.3% of board seats,” said Giakoumopoulos. “We’re talking about not even 30%. I’ve been with GWLN almost nine years and I think we’ve been talking about almost 30% for all nine years now. I invite you all to look at your boards, your leadership teams, and your associations. Get involved, speak up, speak loudly. Give opportunity to the women and, for women, take the opportunity. I don’t think the 30% is something we should be celebrating. It should be our base for what we want to achieve. We have an obligation to ourselves and to future generations.
“Whether you’re a CEO, executive or board members, a change leader, an ally, a she for he, a he for she, a we for she, be part of the equation in changing those numbers of women in leadership. The credit union system allows us to work collectively and be a part of those solutions.”
Added Giakoumopoulos in conclusion, “The value of GWLN is not derived from how we can fit into the existing system, but in how we can reshape it. I invite all of you to reshape it.”
Below, during the GWLN Luncheon at the World CU Conference, the 2026 GWLN Scholars were announced. All were also on hand for the event.
