In May 2025, the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) announced a different type of initiative—one born from a challenge to spark change, transform credit union executive teams, and elevate female leaders.
CCUA partnered with renowned leadership strategist Erin Harris to construct an exclusive, cohort-based leadership journey engineered to advance women from within the credit union sector into CEO roles – the Ascent CEO Accelerator Program.
Women have long earned their place at the decision-making table. This is the moment to accelerate that progress. Ascent is more than a curriculum; it’s a transformational experience designed for a select group of high-potential women ready to step into the highest levels of leadership within credit unions. Grounded in extensive consultation with current and former credit union executives and informed by leading-edge leadership practices, the program provides a unique lens on the opportunities within the sector and the barriers females must overcome to win the top roles.
The 2025 cohort is underway and will combine mentorship, current leader expertise, and executive leadership best practices to elevate the inaugural group to new levels. Structured in over nine sessions, including six high-impact expert-delivered modules, the program is built around the following key focus areas:
- Direction Setting
- Organizational Alignment
- Mobilizing Leaders
- Board Engagement
- Stakeholder Connection
- Personal Effectiveness
Nomination Process
2026 Nominations Open Fall 2025
Credit union CEOs will be invited to nominate exceptional women leaders with a strong track record of leadership, readiness, and aspiration to move into a CEO role, and commitment to their professional advancement. Stay tuned for more details.
Want to learn more about the barriers women face in reaching top leadership roles today? Hear insights on the internal and systemic challenges women encounter from current credit union leaders, and how this program aims to bridge the gap and foster true gender equity at the C-suite level.