GWLN Southern Arizona Sister Society Event Champions Personal Growth and Local Youth Engagement

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on June 25, 2025

Dr. Alexandra Porter presents to the GWLN Southern Arizona Sister Society on June 10

The Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) Southern Arizona Sister Society gathered on June 10 at the corporate offices of Pima Federal Credit Union in Tucson for an inspiring and energizing luncheon centered on building healthy habits — personally, professionally, and within the community.

The networking event brought together 35 credit union professionals to explore wellness strategies and to deepen their impact across Southern Arizona. Attendees were treated to an insightful presentation by Dr. Alexandra Porter, who spoke about the power of habit stacking and its impact on personal well-being and professional growth. Her engaging talk offered actionable tips on how to align daily routines with long-term goals, a theme that resonated deeply with participants.

Attendees participated in a JA Day activity

The event also highlighted the work of Junior Achievement of Arizona, an organization committed to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Paloma L. Santiago, District Director of Junior Achievement in Southern Arizona, shared compelling stories of the organization’s impact and encouraged attendees to get involved in supporting local youth. Micaela Barber, Education Program Manager for Junior Achievement of Arizona, led the group through an interactive JA Day activity, giving participants a firsthand look at the programs shaping the next generation.

This collaborative spirit was reinforced by the dedicated Southern Arizona Sister Society committee— Leah Friedenberg (Pima Federal Credit Union), Irlanda Cuevas-Leyva (Hughes Federal Credit Union), Dawn Lepore (Vantage West Credit Union), and Tricia Hunter (Tucson Federal Credit Union) — whose leadership and enthusiasm continue to drive the growth and success of the local chapter.

“As we all focus on serving our members in a rapidly changing environment, our GWLN Southern AZ Sister Society events are so critical in forming meaningful connections, learning from each other, and honing our professional skillsets,” shared Leah Friedenberg, Senior Vice President of Organizational Development at Pima Federal Credit Union, reflected on the importance of these gatherings. “We also love to hear from our community and non-profit colleagues during these sessions to better understand their mission, impact, and how we can get involved. We’re so thrilled to have seen attendance at these events grow over the last five years here in Southern Arizona — our attendees make the events so special!”

As GWLN continues to empower women in the credit union movement, events like this serve as a testament to the power of connection, collaboration, and community impact. GWLN Southern Arizona Sister Society’s next afternoon networking event will be in the fall.

GoWest supports the regional Sister Societies of the Global Women’s Leadership Network. Please contact Lexy Strong, GoWest’s CU Communities Manager, at lstrong@gowest.org to learn more about how to connect to your local Sister Society.

Posted in Arizona, Leadership, Regional Member News, Top Headlines.