ELEVATE: Leadership, Innovation, YP Energy, and More

Thu September 11, 2025

ELEVATE: Credit Union Leadership Summit brought Cornerstone leaders together in Dallas, Sept. 2–5, for four days of learning, networking, and practical takeaways aligned to four leadership pathways—Elevation, Evolution, Momentum, and Catalyst. The program mixed main-stage inspiration with roll-up-your-sleeves sessions and peer roundtables, all designed to help credit unions lead with impact in a fast-changing environment.

The summit opened with James Lawrence, the “Iron Cowboy,” challenging attendees to “redefine impossible” and translate resilience into daily leadership habits that hold up under pressure. His keynote set a tone of grit and clarity that carried through the week’s content.

Leaders dove into modern leadership models and member-trust strategies shaped by technology. Dr. Talaya Waller guided attendees through AI-powered leadership and building credibility in uncertain times, while Rachel Sheerin’s “U-Turn” session tackled burnout and self-leadership with humor and science-backed tactics. Drew Dudley closed with “This is Day One,” reframing leadership as daily behaviors that create stronger cultures. 

Breakout tracks balanced strategy with execution. Sessions explored narrative intelligence for humanizing innovation, strategic innovation to embed change into operations, UX in agile environments, and micromanagement recovery to restore team momentum. Panels and discussions covered future-ready leadership skills, strategic tech decisions with better vendor partnerships, and from-strategy-to-impact execution frameworks—giving teams concrete playbooks to take home. 

Innovation had its own spotlight. The Innovation/Innovative Solutions Hall featured a live Demo Stage—from voice AI and lending CX to contact-center AI and loan-analytics tools—so attendees could see, question, and compare solutions in real time. The Cornerstone i3 cohort showcased prototypes aimed at real member problems, turning creativity into actionable ideas. 

Peer-to-peer time mattered. Asset-based roundtables tackled growth and headwinds for credit unions, while Politics on the Rocks created casual space to connect with the advocacy team and align on fall priorities. A Sister Society breakfast centered on advancing women in leadership and bridging the gender gap. 

 

Young Professionals: Crash ELEVATE in Action

Twenty-five young professionals made their mark throughout ELEVATE. The cohort kicked off with a casual meetup at Electric Shuffle to build connections, then dove into keynotes, breakouts, and the Innovation/Innovative Solutions Hall to compare solutions on the demo stage and swap ideas with exhibitors.

Along the way, the group joined additional YP-focused sessions with leaders from across the region. Mike McWethy, executive vice president, Texans Credit Union, shared lessons from his leadership journey; as Crasher Jacob Wills put it, a core takeaway was, “What got you here won’t get you there.”

Chris Moss, president/CEO of Volt Credit Union, joined a conference panel on skills for next-gen leaders; Advisor Nichole Helm highlighted his challenge to invest in people development now—because not training carries the bigger risk. From the main stage, Lawrence’s reminders resonated with Crashers and Advisors alike—“We focus on worst-case scenarios instead of possibility” and “Ninety-seven percent of what we worry about never happens”—while emcee Rachel Sheerin left a simple charge for the week: “Consume with clarity.”

The YP cohort also organized a give-back project, collecting and donating supplies for Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, from cleaning products and hygiene kits to games, snacks, and coloring supplies, made possible by support from conference attendees.

To close the week, Advisors and Crashers shared what they’ll put to work first: be intentional about recharging; keep growing and engaging—you’re your best advocate; and educate others by bringing conference insights back to YP peers and senior leaders to open doors for future participation.

 

i3 at ELEVATE: Innovation on Full Display

Several years into Cornerstone’s partnership with Filene Research Institute, the Cornerstone i3 cohort used an ELEVATE breakout to show how curiosity turns into member-facing solutions. Over nine months, 15 innovators built and tested prototypes aimed squarely at real pain points credit unions see every day: welcoming indirect borrowers into full relationships, serving gig workers with income volatility, and wrapping support around members who are caregivers.


Together, the projects demonstrated i3’s twofold goal—stretching how participants lead, think, and solve problems, and surfacing practical ideas credit unions can pilot now to build loyalty. Watch the i3 cohort presentation now and learn more about the Cornerstone i3 program. For a first-person look at the journey, check out our recent Perspectives feature, Living the Innovation: My Unexpected Journey with Cornerstone’s i3 Program.

2025 Teams and Participants

  • Team Avocado – Avocado Co.
    Indirect-Insight Solutions — roadmap for indirect members
    • Kalynda Jensen, Texans Credit Union
    • Amanda Curry, Resource One Credit Union
    • Terrilyn Hicks, Texas Trust Credit Union
    • Monica Navarro, Fort Worth City Credit Union
    • Gerald Pennington, Rally Credit Union
  • Team HustleHub – GigFlex Checking and Loan
    Account and loan support for gig and contract workers
    • David Key, HPCU
    • Erika Reyes, Resource One Credit Union
    • Georgina Edwards, Travis County CU
    • Lestra Carlisle, TDECU
    • Valarie Ivester, Greater Texas Credit Union
  • Team X-Factor – Care Compass
    A digital platform offering a one-stop caregiving and financial navigation hub
    • April Mason, First Family Federal Credit Union
    • Emily Williams, Together Credit Union
    • Jamie Pruett, Texans Credit Union
    • Melissa Burleson, My Credit Union
    • Tanya Dittberner, Cornerstone League

     

SYNG 2025: High Notes, Big Impact

Lights, camera, action—credit union style. This year’s SYNG took on a “CU at the Grammys” theme and drew almost 300 attendees from across the Cornerstone region. In all, 63 credit unions—and all five Cornerstone states—were represented, making for a packed room and a high-energy show.

Emceed by Stuart Himmelstein, president/CEO of Texas People Federal Credit Union, the program featured nine acts that brought equal parts talent and friendly competition. Fans rallied behind their favorites, casting approximately $31,000 in “votes,” and when the final tally rolled in, SYNG posted a net of more than $50,000 to support the Cornerstone Foundation’s work.

Capping the night, the Cornerstone Young Professionals took top honors—raising the most money and earning the winner’s spotlight. Their performance—and the community’s response—underscored the spirit of people helping people that fuels this annual fundraiser.

 

Shout-out to this year’s performers: Cornerstone League and Cornerstone Foundation; Millennium Corporate Credit Union; America’s Credit Unions; Origence; A+ Federal Credit Union, Travis County Credit Union, UFCU; Resource One Credit Union; Cornerstone Young Professional Advisors; and Tinker FCU.

Thank you to every attendee and supporter who helped make SYNG a standout success.

Podcast

Podcast

Listen