YP Conference delivers networking, informative speakers, and sharing of experiences

The Young Professionals (YPs) Conference last week provided Cornerstone’s millennials with networking opportunities, insightful sessions, and Power Hour peer discussions on topics from lending and collections to marketing and business development to member experience and HR. The conference also featured a CEO Panel and an interactive presentation on “Advocacy—The Importance of Being Involved, which was well-received by YPs. “Super glad this topic was included! I believe it’s so important for our generation to be involved—no matter what party.”

CEO Reverse Crashers 
Cornerstone invited CEOs to apply to join the fun of a Reverse Crash. "Crashers" are typically young credit union professionals invited to attend certain high-profile events. YPs took the crash concept and turned it upside down with an invitation for member credit union CEOs to attend the YP Conference as Reverse Crashers. And the CEOs responded!

“The entire conference was a very rewarding experience and allowed me to connect with numerous young professionals that will lead to ongoing relationships,” said Gerado Paz, chief executive officer with South Texas Federal Credit Union.

“Attending the Young Professionals Conference as a reverse crasher allowed me to see the future leaders of our industry,” said Max Villaronga, president/chief executive officer for TFCU. “They are outstanding. It filled me with hope and energized me to provide my young professionals with more resources to grow in their current and future roles to benefit the movement.”

Informative Speakers
Speaker sessions provided attendees with valuable information they can use in their personal and professional lives. One YP said, “The guest speakers were the most beneficial part of the conference. I have multiple takeaways I want to share with others and implement.”

Defining Our Why: Starting with What Matters Most
Rock Garza, founder and principal of RockyGarza.com and Staff Retreat Co., helped participants define their "WHY" and understand why they do what they do and identify their core values. “We often get caught up in WHAT we do before we have the conversation around WHY we do it,” said Garza.

He continued, “Core values are the foundation on which we build our lives. They help guide the WHY behind all things. Core values also serve as the filter by which we run new ideas, thoughts, and goals through.”

Garza’s session received rave reviews from attendees. “The level of personal introspection and self-evaluation was absolutely amazing and unmatched. I gained valuable insight as to who I am and how I can take these values home to my branch.”

The Elephant in the Room: A Conversation on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
Ronaldo Hardy, CUDE, founder & CEO of DiverCity Solutions, gave practical tips on how to build a diverse team and an organization where everyone feels welcomed and is offered a “seat at the table.”

He showed participants how unconscious bias affects decision-making. “Unconscious bias is the underlying factors or assumptions that skew viewpoints. This is how I naturally make decisions with almost little-to-no thought based on lifetime experiences. This can dictate how we shape the world around us, which can ultimately exclude others unintentionally.”

Conference attendees appreciated Hardy’s honest, eye-opening presentation. “Excellent conversation that doesn’t often come up. Great tools about how to continue the conversation elsewhere. Good energy and kept the topic engaging without anyone feeling awkward but also not taking away from its seriousness.”

SNAP Yes to Success
DeDe Murcer Moffett, expert in professional success, leadership, and employee engagement, outlined a strategy based on:

• S—ee your box - Learn how and why you keep shooting yourself in the foot – and how to stop it now!
• N—o more bargaining – How to choose between fear and regret as you pursue the career and life you want.
• A—sk the tough question – What’s your passion – How to infuse it right where you are and wherever you go.
• P—repare to succeed regardless – Setbacks happen – How to keep going when you want to give up.

Moffett also encouraged participants to bust out of their box and drop kick it across the room, which resonated with the YPs. “I am so excited to read this book and implement these tips into my everyday life.”

Leading Your Parents
Former sales executive and millennial leader of multigenerational teams Raven Solomon helped young professionals ease their anxiety about stepping up, earning the respect of team members, and delivering quick results through proven strategies of multigenerational leadership.

Solomon provided insight into other generations, helping attendees increase their empathy and cross-generational effectiveness. She also discussed how YPs could overcome the negative stereotypes of millennials and Generation Z and leverage those differences to effectively guide team members their parents’ age.

“I learned a lot about different generations that I didn’t know before,” commented one participant. “The topics covered will benefit my professional career and help me become a better leader.”