Mastering Board Leadership

Strategy, Risk, and the Modern Governance Mindset

Today’s credit union boards must evolve beyond fiduciary oversight and lean into strategic leadership. This session is designed to equip board members and chairs with the tools, frameworks, and mindsets required to govern with confidence, clarity, and cohesion. We will explore how boards can lead on strategy, not just approve it, by setting a clear risk appetite, ensuring strategic alignment with member needs, and elevating the quality of board discussions.

Participants will walk away with practical techniques for building trust with management, setting and sustaining strategy across leadership transitions, and ensuring their boardroom culture encourages curiosity, candor, and sound judgment.

Whether you’re navigating CEO succession, managing organizational complexity, or simply seeking to sharpen board effectiveness, this session will deliver the insights and tools to transform your governance conversations.

Date & Time

Oct. 6, 2026

9 a.m. - Noon CT
Register

Key Takeaways

  • Strategic Foresight: How to lead strategy from the boardroom not just approve it and set a clear, actionable risk appetite.
  • Effective Oversight: Practical ways to link board governance to real organizational outcomes.
  • CEO Succession Preparedness: What board chairs worry about most and how to prepare.
  • Board Communication Dynamics: Techniques to improve the quality of conversation, reduce dysfunction, and create a learning-focused board culture.
  • Competency-Based Governance: Understand the skills and knowledge your board needs to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
  • Recruitment and Renewal: Tactical guidance for identifying, onboarding, and evaluating board members aligned to your mission and strategy.
  • Meeting Mastery: Transforming meetings from informational to impactful with better framing, flow, and decision-making tools.
  • Board + Management Partnership: Balancing accountability with trust, governing without micromanaging.

Job Aids & Tools Provided

  • Strategy and Risk Appetite Alignment Toolkit
  • CEO Succession Planning Guide
  • Board Communication Self-Assessment
  • Meeting Effectiveness Scorecard
  • Competency-Based Recruitment & Evaluation Rubric
  • Board Performance Diagnostic Questions
  • Decision Framing & Voting Tools
  • Governance-Tech Integration Checklist
  • Regulatory Readiness Planning Template

Who Should Participate? 

Credit union CEOs and board members

Presenter - Ancin Cooley, CIA, CISA

Ancin CooleyAncin Cooley, CIA CISA, is the Founder and Principal of Synergy Credit Union Consulting, Inc. (syncuc.com) Synergy helps credit unions grow and thrive by helping them manage risk, increase profits, and help members. Synergy accomplishes this thru a suite of services that includes: Director training, strategic planning, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audits, and Member Business Lending Audits. As principal, Ancin manages a growing portfolio of clients throughout the United States and Caribbean.

He brings more than 20 years of experience to the financial services industry. Ancin honed his skills while working as an with US Treasury Dept. At the Treasury, he performed examinations for financial institutions ranging from $1 million to $11 billion in total assets. After leaving the Treasury Dept. Ancin worked for a regional accounting firm where he led internal audits, as well as loan and pre-regulatory examination reviews. When not advising clients, training for triathlons, or spending time with his family, Ancin designs and conducts trainings for the Credit union industry. In addition, he is a well sought-after expert contributor to a host of financial publications. He has most recently been featured in Forbes Magazine and the Credit Union National Association.

Ancin is originally from New Orleans, LA. but, currently lives in Chicago.

 

Educational Investment

Cost

$600

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be received in writing. Please provide a brief explanation for the cancellation and submit via email to training@cornerstoneleague.coop. Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the event are subject to a 25% administrative fee on the order total. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the event. Substitutions are accepted prior to the start of the program. Additional costs may apply. Please provide the event name, current participant name, and new participant name to training@cornerstoneleague.coop.

Cornerstone League reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the event due to unforeseen circumstances. If the conference is rescheduled to another date or modified (virtual or hybrid), your registration will automatically transfer. If the event is rescheduled or location is changed, and you are unable to attend, your fees will be refunded.

Questions?

Call 800-442-5762 ext. 6630 or email us.