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.
CDF Canada’s Women’s Mentorship Program is a unique training program that provides women credit union managers from financial co-operatives with a distinctive and valuable opportunity for professional development.
The Women’s Mentorship Program is a mutually beneficial learning opportunity for Canadian and international co-operators. Program participants are paired with a Canadian credit union for 10 days and become immersed in the credit union and community culture.
Through this placement, participants are mentored, attend meetings, learn about Credit Union procedures and practices along with observing the overall day-to-day operations. Canadian Credit Union employees generously volunteer their time, and the Credit Union provides training materials, transportation, and accommodation for participants during their placement.
Since its inception in 2002, the CDF Canada’s Women’s Mentorship Program has stood as a beacon of empowerment. The program has forged connections among 280 exceptional women credit union managers from 28 countries across Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and the Caribbean. The program has offered unparalleled professional growth opportunities, including placements throughout Canada facilitated by our committed Credit Union supporters. Each year, this transformative endeavor witnesses dedicated credit union hosts and home hosts selflessly devoting their time, expertise, and logistical support, including accommodation, to ensure the success of their international counterparts. Together, they cultivate an enriching environment where knowledge transcends borders, nurturing growth, collaboration, and enduring impact within the global credit union community.
