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Nominations and re-appointments were approved during the 2026 Annual General Meeting in the Dominican Republic
Amsterdam, Netherlands (19 March 2026) — The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) has announced new Board appointments and reappointments during its Annual General Meeting, held as part of the 2026 Annual Meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, hosted by Banco Ademi. These appointments strengthen the Board and reflect the diversity of the GABV’s global membership, while maintaining gender balance as a long‑standing priority for the GABV.
Wellington Holbrook, CEO of Vancity, has been appointed Vice Chair, a newly created position on the GABV Board. Vancity is Canada’s largest community credit union and is recognised for its focus on financing local businesses, affordable housing and climate solutions. Commenting on his appointment, Wellington Holbrook said:
”Banking can be done differently – and GABV members worldwide are proving it, day in and day out. Driven by our values, we’re serving the needs of more than 50 million people in ways that build stronger communities and create hope for a better future at a time when it’s needed most. I am honoured to be appointed Vice-Chair of the GABV Board of Directors and to help deepen and enhance our collective work, and our global impact.”
The Board also appointed Mirela Pekmezi, CEO of FINCA DRC, as a Board member representing Africa. She has served on the Board since 2023 as a member At Large and now succeeds Fabian Kasi, Managing Director of Centenary Bank (Uganda), following the end of his mandate. FINCA DRC is part of the global FINCA network and works to expand financial inclusion and support entrepreneurship in underserved communities.
Maria Flock-Åhlander, CEO of Ekobanken, was reappointed as Board member for Europe for a second term, reflecting her continued contribution to the movement. Ekobanken is known for financing social, cultural and ecological initiatives in Sweden.
Members also voted for the member At-Large position. Paola Zanet, Head of International Affairs at Banca Etica (Italy), brings extensive experience in international cooperation and ethical finance.
The GABV Board of Directors is as follows:
- David Reiling, CEO, Sunrise Banks (USA), Chair
- Wellington Holbrook, CEO, Vancity (USA), Vice-Chair
- K. Paul Thomas, CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank (India), Asia-Pacific Region
- Maria Flock-Åhlander, CEO, Ekobanken (Sweden), Europe Region
- César Barahona, Executive Director, Banco Integral (El Salvador), Latin America & the Caribbean Region
- Darrin L. Williams, CEO, Southern Bancorp, Inc. (USA), North America Region
- Mirela Pekmezi, CEO, FINCA DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Africa Region
- Margarita Cherikbaeva, CEO, Kompanion Bank (Kyrgyzstan), At-Large
- Paola Zanet, Head of International Affairs, Banca Etica (Italy), At-Large
About the GABV
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a network of independent banks and banking cooperatives with a shared mission to use finance to deliver sustainable economic, social, and environmental development. Founded in 2009, the GABV comprises 74 financial institutions operating in 48 countries across Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Europe. It serves more than 50 million customers, manages over USD 290 billion in combined assets, and employs 100,000 co-workers.
Meet the banks of the network and the countries where they operate: www.gabv.org/members
