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WOCCU’s McCarter LaBorde Reflects on ‘Really Tough’ Fallout From USAID Freeze

In this exclusive interview, WOCCU’s CEO discusses the events of the past week and what’s next for the organization.

By Natasha Chilingerian | February 12, 2025 at 11:37 AM
WOCCU President/CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde (center) with staff from all three of WOCCU’s USAID-funded projects during their annual Project Administrators Workshop (PAWS) last year at the organization’s Washington, D.C. office. (Credit/WOCCU)

Last week, as a result of the U.S. Department of State’s 90-day stop-work order on all USAID-funded international development projects, the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) was forced to reduce staffing levels for its Global Programs. The disruption came as WOCCU was in the process of implementing three USAID-funded projects in seven countries: The USAID GROW Program in Ukraine, the USAID Economic Program in Peru and Ecuador, and USAID Cooperative Development Program’s Accelerating Growth and Inclusion in Lending for Credit Unions in Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Kenya and Senegal.

However, WOCCU reported Tuesday that its international advocacy work, as well as its engagement, education and networking activities – including the 2025 World Credit Union Conference set for July in Stockholm, Sweden – were not impacted by the stop-work order and will continue as planned.

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