The Future in Action: Recharged and Renewed After IMPACT 2025

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The IMPACT 2025: Cornerstone Annual Meeting brought together credit union professionals from across the region for a dynamic week filled with inspiration, innovation, advocacy, and true to its name, impact. 

Day One 

I arrived Tuesday afternoon, checked in, and headed straight to the Young Professionals (YP) Meet-Up that evening. Eleven of us gathered for a night of bowling, laughter, and connection. While I can’t say my bowling skills improved (still terrible, to be honest), I did get to reconnect with familiar YP faces like Richard Koonce from Tinker Federal Credit Union, Ryan Nong from Millennium Corp, and Cornerstone League’s own Sarah Bowman, vice president, operations and engagement, Anna Neuner, event coordinator, and Bailey Brooks, engagement consultant and program manager.  

I also met new YPs like Ryan Younger and Garrett Glidewell from Millennium Corp, Alesha Womack from Santa Fe FCU, and Paya Gupta and her friend from Austin Telco FCU. Paya joked that I was her lucky charm because she got a few strikes every time I watched her. Bailey, on the other hand, discovered her secret weapon was rolling a heavier ball. We wrapped up the night at the piano lounge, full of laughs and camaraderie. 

Day Two 

Day two kicked off with the Expo Solutions Networking Breakfast where many of us accepted and started the vendor passport challenge. The opening keynote, Erik Qualman, spoke on “Digital Leadership: Future-Proofing You and Your Organization,” reminding us that leaders are made, not born, especially in a digital world evolving by the second. 

His five Digital Leadership Habits focused on keeping things simple through single tasking, staying true by being authentic, taking action by failing fast, forward, and better, mapping clear visions, and prioritizing people through strong human connections. A quote that stuck with me was, “The better the questions we ask, the better the relationships we’ll have.” 

Later that morning, I attended “Cancer and Credit Unions: Piloting Bold New Ideas.” Andy Janning, CEO and Founder of Life Over Debt, shared the harsh financial realities faced by members undergoing cancer treatment. He explained that 60% of them spend over $500 a month, and some even face bankruptcy.  

Credit union-driven solutions like pausing loan payments, offering cancer care loans, financial counseling, and transportation assistance are tangible ways credit unions can help. While impactful, I left with mixed feelings. The initiative was inspiring, but it made me wonder, what about other serious illnesses? Where do we draw the line? 

The afternoon included the Annual Business Meeting and a panel titled “Driving Growth Through Data-Driven Strategies for Underserved Yet Growing Consumer Segments.” Cornerstone Foundation Executive Director Courtney Moran, Tarrant County’s CU President/CEO Lily Newfarmer, and Coopera CEO Victor Corro discussed how credit unions can use data storytelling to meet evolving member needs and grow inclusively. Their insights felt timely as our communities continue to diversify. 

I wrapped up my day by attending “Credit When it Counts: Navigating PR Crises to Safeguard Your Reputation” with Evan Nierman. His message was clear: trust is everything. He introduced the three Ps: prevention, preparation, and practice and the three Fs: foul up, fess up, fix up. In a digital world, perception is reality. He reminded us that responding to negative feedback with empathy and integrity matters, because people are always watching. 

Day Three 

Thursday morning opened with an advocacy panel hosted by Cornerstone League EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer Jim Phelps, joined by advocacy leads representing each state in the Cornerstone region. The group discussed recent legislation, term limits, fraud protections, and more. A clear theme emerged: advocacy must be proactive, not reactive. One panelist said it best, supporting PACs is like “industry insurance,” ensuring credit unions stay at the table, not on the menu. 

The panel was followed by an economic update with futurist Garry Golden, who encouraged us to prepare for, not predict, the future. He challenged us to anticipate disruption, embrace innovation, and stay resilient in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. 

My final breakout that day was “Marketing for Impact: Fireside Chat with Credit Union Marketing Leaders,” moderated by Sarah Bowman. The panel, composed of Kelley Stark from Southwest Airlines FCU, Sidney Henderson from Greater Texas CU, and Stephen Lark from Communication FCU, shared real-world insights into member onboarding, data-driven marketing, and cross-department collaboration. 

They emphasized that onboarding is an ongoing journey, not just a one-time welcome. Using data to personalize follow-ups, track engagement, and incorporate AI to recommend relevant products reflects a growing shift toward intentional, member-centric outreach. Collaboration across departments was essential to creating a seamless experience. Gen Z also took the spotlight, with strategies related to texting, gamification, and simplified financial education leading the charge. A standout quote from the session was, “Don’t let perfect get in the way of done.” 

Throughout the week, the Young Professional Advisors organized a giveback supporting the Austin Humane Society. Although I was the only Advisor able to attend in person, the effort was truly a collaboration. Donations were collected both onsite and through a QR code. The total value is hard to measure, but we gathered three large bags of dog food along with plenty of toys for cats and dogs in need—a small yet meaningful way to give back. 

Thursday night’s BASH was a fun and festive celebration. Safari-themed outfits filled the room, and the energy was electric. More than $22,000 was raised for the Cornerstone Foundation—just another example of the generosity and heart in our movement. 

Day Four 

We closed the conference with the lively keynote, “Liar Liar Pants on Fire,” by body language expert Traci Brown. Equal parts hilarious and insightful, she walked us through her nine-point fraud spotting system with tips to detect deception in everyday interactions. One major takeaway we learned was to look for mismatches between words and body language—people say more than they realize. 

IMPACT left me recharged and reminded me why our work matters. I walked away with fresh ideas, new connections, and renewed purpose. It’s always an honor to be surrounded by people helping people. I highly encourage YPs to keep an eye out for the opportunity to attend next year’s event. Keep a tab on Cornerstone League’s website for future dates.  

If you’d like to meet other YPs and network with them, join the CUYP Community today. Here’s to carrying the momentum forward.