The $1.8 billion Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wis., has hosted emergingleaders from the Dominican Republic who participated in the WorldCouncil of Credit Unions International Credit Union LeadershipProgram, which places young professionals in various credit unionsoverseas.

As part of the U.S. Department of State Professional FellowsProgram, the fellowship is designed to facilitate idea exchanges,promote foreign language skills development, enhance culturaldiversity and improve problem-solving skills as they relate tocredit union development and management on a globalbasis.

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

Participants and their host organizations benefit from the duallearning opportunity the program provides, including informationsharing on overall credit union operations, educational andcommunity outreach programs and risk management, the World Councilsaid.

Dominican Republican participants Natividad Lamourthe andClaudio Wolters participated in one-month fellowships at Summit CUthat ended Nov. 2.

“Summit became involved in the Professional Fellows programbecause of our partnership with the World Council of CreditUnions,” said KimSponem, CEO/president of Summit CU. “Hosting Natividadand Claudio was a terrific opportunity for Summit, and we're happyto help other international credit unions further their expertiseand understanding as well.”

At the conclusion of their fellowships, they traveled toWashington, D.C., to take part in the Professional Fellows Congressheld last week. The congress provides a forum forparticipants to discuss best practices with other young leaders intheir profession, and to develop concrete projects and networksthat they can implement upon their return home.