Our Vision
Expanding financial inclusion through a vibrant and growing global credit union system.
WOCCU's partner organization, the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) is a separate 501c3, established to advance the shared vision of expanding financial inclusion through a vibrant and growing global credit union system.
Expanding financial inclusion through a vibrant and growing global credit union system.
The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Union's Board of Director's is an eight-member governing body, composed of credit union industry leaders that are committed to the Foundation's role as World Council's fundraising resource.
Director
Confederação Interestadual das Cooperativas Ligadas ao SICREDI (SICREDI)
The Foundation's staff is composed of over three decades of experience in the credit union industry and financial inclusion sector, striving to improve lives through the cooperative model.
Elissa McCarter LaBorde began serving as World Council of Credit Unions’ President and CEO in August 2021, bringing more than 20 years of experience leading organizations in delivering financial services to underserved communities across the globe.
Mike leads the strategic vision for the Worldwide Foundation, focusing on maximizing revenue opportunities, streamlining operations and engaging new audiences to help expand credit unions and transform member lives.
Lisa has been in the financial industry for over 18 years and has served on several non-profit boards. Her passion to help others through financial inclusion has been enhanced through WOCCU and our development work.
Giakoumopoulos has over 25 years of international experience working in 20 countries in western, central and eastern Europe. Her background includes managing European Union cross-border cooperation programs through consultancy work, membership recruitment for a national trade association, content development for print and digital media and directing career services at the American College of Thessaloniki, an educational organization in Northern Greece.
Ari Farrell (They/Ari/Ari's) serves as Manager of the World Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) program, an initiative of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. Farrell is part of the Credit Union De Novo Collective—working with other collaborators in the credit union and financial services space to streamline the charting process and support new credit unions that will serve the underserved. They were actively involved in the formation of a de novo credit union to primarily serve the LGBTQIA+, service workers, and the formerly incarcerated.
Marcey is the Philanthropy Manager at Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, where she cultivates relationships to secure philanthropic support. Her background includes roles in philanthropy and marketing and communications at a variety of nonprofit organizations in sectors such as health care, higher education and community foundations.