The $1.8 billion Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wis., has hosted emerging leaders from the Dominican Republic who participated in the World Council of Credit Unions International Credit Union Leadership Program, which places young professionals in various credit unions overseas.

As part of the U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program, the fellowship is designed to facilitate idea exchanges, promote foreign language skills development, enhance cultural diversity and improve problem-solving skills as they relate to credit union development and management on a global basis.

Summit CU is one of 17 U.S.-based non-profit organizations and universities chosen to host foreign professionals in 2011-2012 from more than 50 countries and territories worldwide.

Participants and their host organizations benefit from the dual learning opportunity the program provides, including information sharing on overall credit union operations, educational and community outreach programs and risk management, the World Council said.

Dominican Republican participants Natividad Lamourthe and Claudio Wolters participated in one-month fellowships at Summit CU that ended Nov. 2.

“Summit became involved in the Professional Fellows program because of our partnership with the World Council of Credit Unions,” said Kim Sponem, CEO/president of Summit CU. “Hosting Natividad and Claudio was a terrific opportunity for Summit, and we're happy to help other international credit unions further their expertise and understanding as well.”

At the conclusion of their fellowships, they traveled to Washington, D.C., to take part in the Professional Fellows Congress held last week. The congress provides a forum for participants to discuss best practices with other young leaders in their profession, and to develop concrete projects and networks that they can implement upon their return home.

Instant Insights /

Summit Credit Union Hosts Young Professionals From Dominican Republic

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