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By Britni Bateman<\/strong><\/p>\n CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 SIU Credit Union will sponsor the Women in Philanthropy Luncheon during the fourth annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend on Friday, Oct. 3, in the SIU Student Center Ballrooms.<\/p>\n For SIU Credit Union, the sponsorship reflects both its mission and its people. The organization partners with SIU in many areas across campus and the region, and its guiding principle of \u201cPeople Helping People\u201d aligns directly with the purpose of Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cSIU Credit Union is a proud partner with SIU in many areas across campus and the region,\u201d said Melissa Kinnard, community outreach specialist at SIU Credit Union. \u201cOne of our foundational principles is giving back to our community and \u2018People Helping People,\u2019 and this conference fits that criteria perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n Kinnard said empowering women has always been a priority for SIU Credit Union, where the majority of staff and many of the organization\u2019s leadership roles are held by women \u2014 a significant number of whom are SIU graduates.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen women are empowered, organizations and entire communities become stronger, more resilient and more compassionate,\u201d Kinnard said. \u201cThat\u2019s something we see every day in our own organization. By investing in events like this, we\u2019re not only celebrating women\u2019s leadership; we\u2019re living out our values of giving back, building community and making a positive impact.\u201d<\/p>\n She added that Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend provides more than recognition. Its schedule of panels, breakout sessions and networking opportunities is designed to inspire students preparing to launch their careers while also motivating peers in the region to pursue new opportunities and professional growth.<\/p>\n Mentorship, philanthropy and connection are central to SIU Credit Union\u2019s support. Kinnard said volunteering time and sharing experiences with students can often be just as valuable as writing a check.<\/p>\n \u201cIt costs nothing to volunteer, and philanthropy is rewarding on many levels,\u201d she said. \u201cMentoring and networking can open doors to students who need to know it\u2019s okay to take a chance and put yourself out there. Establishing those connections with fellow Salukis will make each generation better, which helps SIU and our communities thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n As the event continues to grow, SIU Credit Union sees it as an opportunity to strengthen the already wide reach of Saluki Nation and expand its network of empowered leaders.<\/p>\n The 2025 Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend will take place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3\u20134. The Women in Empowerment Conference is Friday in the SIU Student Center Ballrooms. On Saturday, the Women\u2019s Leadership Council Mentorship Brunch will be in the Student Center, followed by the Saluki Women Tailgate Experience on Saluki Row. Registration is free. To register and view the full schedule, visit siuf.org\/salukiwomen<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Britni Bateman CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 SIU Credit Union will sponsor the Women in Philanthropy Luncheon during the fourth annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend on Friday, Oct. 3, in the SIU Student Center Ballrooms. For SIU Credit Union, the sponsorship reflects both its mission and its people. The organization partners with SIU in many areas across … Continue reading SIU Credit Union Sponsors Women in Philanthropy Luncheon at Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend<\/span>