The Women’s Mentorship Program (WMP) is a global leadership initiative led by the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada). Since 2002, the program has equipped over 250 women from credit unions and financial co-operatives across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean with the tools to lead, innovate, and transform their institutions.
Participants return home with increased confidence, new governance and business skills, and a strengthened vision for gender equity. Many go on to lead institutional reforms, rise to executive leadership positions, launch community development projects, and mentor the next generation of women leaders.
The program consists of a three-part structure: in-class training in Ottawa, a 10-day placement with a Canadian credit union, and ongoing leadership implementation upon return home. These stages build on one another to ensure sustainable learning, practical application, and long-term impact.
The program provides participants with a unique opportunity to benefit from training specific to credit unions, management development, mentoring by professionals in their field, and many knowledge-sharing and exchange opportunities. Results from this program position Canada as a global brand in credit union development and build leadership capacity among women on a global scale.
Rooted in co-operative values, WMP is a peer-based mentorship program that fosters sustainable change—locally and globally.
WMP is a transformative, multi-phase leadership development program that builds the skills, confidence, and global perspective women need to lead within the co-operative movement and beyond. Through international mentorship, the program fosters sustainability, strengthens the global credit union sector, and equips women to drive change in their communities:
Phase 1: Training in Ottawa
Two weeks of intensive in-class training led by Canadian credit union professionals, covering governance, financial inclusion, risk management, gender equity, and leadership.
Phase 2: Placement with a Canadian Credit Union
A 10-day immersive placement where participants shadow and collaborate with staff, gaining hands-on experience and building lifelong connections.
Phase 3: Return Home as Leaders
Back home, participants apply their new skills to advance their careers, pursue lifelong learning, mentor other women, and drive meaningful improvements within their credit unions and communities.
When women lead, communities thrive. WMP supports sustainable development by:
- Building long-term leadership capacity
- Strengthening financial co-operatives
- Expanding access to financial literacy at the community level
- Advancing gender equality across the co-operative sector
- Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
There are many ways that you can get involved in the Women’s Mentorship. Have another idea? Reach out!
Host
Invite a participant to your credit union for 10 days for an unforgettable experience—for them and your staff.
Facilitate
Lead in-class learning sessions on your areas of expertise during the Ottawa-based training.
Mentor
Build a mentorship relationship with participants after they return home—sharing your expertise, offering guidance, and helping them navigate what comes next.
Sponsor
Fund a participant’s journey and unlock generational impact.
Donate
Every contribution helps us grow the program and multiply its impact by building stronger co-operatives worldwide.
The next Women’s Mentorship Program cohort will take place in Spring 2026 — but we’re already welcoming applications from hosts, facilitators, mentors, and sponsors!
No matter how you want to get involved, now is the time to act.
Contact Mariel Edwards-Carreau
📧 [email protected]
for more information or to learn how you or your credit union can take part.