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SIU Credit Union<\/a> is continuing its support of Saluki women as a Premier Sponsor of the 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend, set for Sept. 10-12 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.<\/p>\n The credit union has supported the event since its launch in 2022, helping create opportunities for women to connect through leadership, mentorship and philanthropy.<\/p>\n For Melissa Kinnard, community outreach specialist at SIU Credit Union and an SIU alumna, the partnership reflects the credit union\u2019s longstanding commitment to supporting the university and Southern Illinois.<\/p>\n \u201cOur philosophy is people helping people,\u201d Kinnard said. \u201cAnd with this event, we have women helping women, to support, encourage, mentor and inspire one another.\u201d<\/p>\n Hosted by the SIU Foundation Women\u2019s Leadership Council and presented by Moneta and SIU Credit Union, Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend brings together alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members for three days of networking, professional development, philanthropy and mentorship.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been an honor and a privilege to have been a part of this since the very beginning,\u201d Kinnard said. \u201cWe are proud to get a chance to help celebrate and acknowledge the incredible accomplishments of these amazing women, as well as help shine a spotlight on the importance of mentorship and philanthropy.\u201d<\/p>\n The partnership also reflects the people behind SIU Credit Union. Kinnard said much of its staff and most of its leadership team are women, and many employees, including Kinnard, are SIU alumni.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce a Saluki, always a Saluki,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Supporting financial education and mentorship<\/strong><\/p>\n As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution, SIU Credit Union emphasizes financial education and community engagement. Kinnard said helping people build financial literacy and work toward financial wellness is a key part of its mission.<\/p>\n That work is particularly important for women, she said. While women have made significant financial strides, disparities remain in areas such as retirement savings and access to funding for small businesses.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a ways to go when it comes to making sure that every little girl grows up knowing financial literacy terms, but also how to manage her money and how to do personal finance,\u201d Kinnard said.<\/p>\n SIU Credit Union provides financial education through online resources and outreach in schools, classrooms and community organizations. The credit union also sponsors financial literacy resources for area schools.<\/p>\n Kinnard sees a similar opportunity for growth through mentorship, another central focus of Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend. She has experienced its impact through SIU students who have interned in the credit union\u2019s marketing department.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been amazing to get to teach as well as learn from them and also to see what incredible businesswomen they are becoming,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Celebrating five years<\/strong><\/p>\n The 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend begins Sept. 10 with the Women\u2019s Leadership Council Welcome Reception at Hangar 9 in downtown Carbondale. The evening will feature line dancing instruction from Kyle Erickson, better known as Cowboy Kyle, founder of Urban Cowboy Line Dancing in Nashville, Tennessee.<\/p>\n The Women\u2019s Empowerment Conference follows Sept. 11 at the Tedrick Welcome Center with educational sessions, networking opportunities and the Philanthropy and Woman of the Year Awards Luncheon. This year\u2019s programming also recognizes the United Nations\u2019 International Year of the Woman Farmer.<\/p>\n Activities conclude Sept. 12 with a Women\u2019s Leadership Council board meeting for invited members and a mentorship brunch connecting students, alumni and professionals.<\/p>\n For SIU Credit Union, the fifth anniversary provides another opportunity to invest in the university and the women who make an impact across the Saluki community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really love and support this incredible event,\u201d Kinnard said. \u201cTo get a chance to sponsor it every year and to now celebrate the fifth anniversary, what an incredible accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n Registration for the 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend is free. Learn more and register at siuf.org\/saluki-women<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SIU Credit Union is continuing its support of Saluki women as a Premier Sponsor of the 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend, set for Sept. 10-12 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The credit union has supported the event since its launch in 2022, helping create opportunities for women to connect through leadership, mentorship and philanthropy. For … Continue reading SIU Credit Union celebrates five years of supporting Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend<\/span>