40 Professionals. Three Days. One Shared Purpose.

Last week, 40 professionals gathered for the Cornerstone Foundation’s Principles & Philosophy Workshop, a high-energy, three-day event exploring credit union history, the cooperative spirit, and the real-world strategies that define the movement. Participants worked in seven small groups, each paired with a mentor who guided discussions, activities, and team challenges.

Mentors

• Sarah Bowman, vice president, small credit union support, Cornerstone League
• Cynthia Campbell, founder, Soul Path Leadership
• Laura Eblen, vice president of member engagement and government affairs, Mazuma CU
• Angie Lutes, development director, Cornerstone Foundation
• Giovanni Monterroso, market research analyst, Tinker FCU
• Emily Moreno, program director, Cornerstone Foundation
• Cameron Newfarmer, vice president of construction and facilities, Texas Trust Credit Union
  

Learning From Industry Leaders

Cornerstone Foundation Executive Director Courtney Moran and Tarrant County’s Credit Union President/CEO Lily Newfarmer served as facilitators. They were joined by Cornerstone League Executive Vice President/Chief Advocacy Officer Jim Phelps; ServiStar Consulting President/CEO Taylor Murray; and Purpose to Impact Consulting owner Chad Helminak.

Together, they led participants through an engaging curriculum covering credit union history, empathy mapping, development issues, cooperative philosophy, and practical leadership strategies.

Building More Than Leadership

A new addition to this year’s workshop allowed participants to make an immediate impact beyond the classroom. During a team-building challenge, attendees assembled seven bicycles for children served by Tarrant County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

The completed bicycles will be donated to children in the CASA program who have experienced abuse or neglect, giving participants a meaningful way to support local youth.

Congratulations, Graduates

At the end of the Principles & Philosophy Workshop, all 40 participants earned their Certified Credit Union Cooperator (CCUC) designation.