2024 YP Conference Recap

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Sophie Freeman, YP Advisor, YP Communications Committee, and Member Experience Director for Rave Financial

The vibrant city of San Antonio served as the backdrop for the annual Young Professionals Conference this past May. Over 100 ambitious young leaders from across the Cornerstone region came to connect and learn in their quest to advance in the credit union industry.

Day One

The conference kicked off with 2010 “Survivor: Nicaragua” contestant Holly Hoffman, who demonstrated that leadership consists of three simple words: model, connect, involve. In addition to inspiring the YPs to model the behavior they want to see in the workplace, connecting with and involving others, Hoffman brought the group to their feet in an energized activity that left them laughing and meeting new friends.

A popular session returned this year: Power Hours. These interactive sessions comprised smaller groups that benefited from sharing best practices, discussing challenges, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions.

The first day concluded with a networking reception where attendees had the opportunity to take a professional headshot and mix and mingle with their new network of aspiring credit union colleagues.

Day Two

The second day was packed with more Power Hours and hot-topic sessions designed to equip YPs with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the credit union landscape.

• Steven Houle gave an economic forecast titled “Outlook and Critical Issues for the Economy and Credit Union Industry.”
• YP Advisors shared an Advocacy 101 workshop to give other YPs more information on the history of credit unions and how advocacy is so incredibly important to the credit union movement.
• Frank Keck instructed YPs on how to speedread people and elaborated on the importance of embracing what makes you unique.
• The day’s final session came when four CEOs took the stage for an insightful Q&A session.

Day Three

The conference closed out with Darryll Stinson, former collegiate athlete, who regaled attendees with his talk on Self-C.A.R.E. Strategies to Transform Stress into Success.

Beyond the formal educational and professional development sessions, the YP Conference emphasized the importance of networking and making connections.

Justin Jones, YP Advisor and training and education specialist at Texoma Community Credit Union, said, “Attending the Young Professionals Conference was an inspiring experience. It offered a unique platform to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights from industry leaders, and develop both professionally and personally. The diverse range of sessions and networking opportunities made it an unforgettable and enriching event.”

Special thanks to the sponsors who helped make this conference so successful: TruStage, Catalyst Corporate FCU, Cornerstone Resources, and SYFRR.

Want to be a part of the action in 2025?

Your future is entirely up to you. To up your game, visit the Young Professionals webpage to register as a Credit Union Young Professional (CUYP). Be the first to know the latest on all things CUYP, get out of your comfort zone and sign up for YP activities, engage with other young professionals, and talk to your manager about attending the 2025 YP Conference.