#Accelerate Action is 2025’s International Women’s Day theme, calling for bold steps to advance gender equality. While progress has been made, there is still work to do. The co-operative system has long been leading the way in fostering inclusive and empowering workplaces within the financial industry.

A 2023 study by DBRS Morningstar found that women hold 44% of executive leadership positions in credit unions and smaller financial institutions, compared to 33% in banks. Additionally, while only 18% of banks had a female CEO, 38% of credit unions and co-operatives were led by women. This progress underscores the vital role credit unions play in breaking barriers and accelerating change.

At Central 1, we take pride in our commitment to fostering leadership opportunities for women in finance in Canada. Boasting a higher-than-average representation of women in executive leadership, our leaders not only help shape the future of the credit union system but also actively engage in industry discussions to drive meaningful change. These discussions address:

• The power of inclusive leadership and how empathy strengthens decision-making
• Strategies to empower teams and build environments where diverse talent thrives
• Key business challenges such as payments modernization, fraud prevention, and digital transformation

Through these conversations, our leaders contribute valuable insights while inspiring others in the industry to prioritize diversity and inclusion.

Spotlight on women leaders at Central 1

These remarkable women are shaping the future of finance. Explore their stories:

Sheila Vokey is featured in Business View Magazine, promoting Central 1’s leadership in the aggregated services space.	Carol Ann Northcott explores how biometrics and AI are influencing fraud alongside industry leaders on the Women in Payments stage.	Emma Hider shares her journey to leadership and what sparked her interest in the credit union space Credit Union Women in Leadership.
Sue Whitney discusses payment networks and the role of centrals with Fintechs Canada.	Sheila Vokey shares her path to the top blends work-life balance with financial leadership with Business in Vancouver.	Julie Breuer discusses her perspective on leadership opportunities for women at FCI-CWI Women in Leadership Conference.

More influential women voices in our ecosystem:

Jay-Ann Gilfoy on driving innovation, collaboration, and community impact.	Kristina Logue on advancing the future of payments.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, let’s continue to amplify the voices of women leaders and take decisive steps to create a more inclusive financial sector in Canada. Together, we can #AccelerateAction for gender equality.