The Cornerstone League Podcast

2026 Cornerstone League Small Credit Union Achiever Award winner Paige Rhoades was recognized this year for her dedication to member service and her leadership within a small credit union environment. As a collections and facilities management director at Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union, Rhoades admittedly wears many hats, often stepping in to help both her colleagues and members out of a tight spot. In this episode, Rhoades shares her credit union journey, how empathy guides her actions every day, and more.  

Where do credit unions stand in the "war for the wallet"? Payments conversations once centered around digital wallets, peer-to-peer payments, and fintech apps. Those conversations are still important, but today, the conversation has expanded considerably. 

Hear from The Cornerstone League Podcast host Tanya Dittberner, who explores questions such as "Who owns the member relationship when another entity increasingly owns the payment experience?" and where credit unions can leverage their greatest advantage: the human experience. 

This episode is sponsored by Mastercard, which helps credit unions stay competitive while staying true to their member-first mission. From innovative payment solutions and fraud protection to loyalty, marketing, and engagement capabilities, Mastercard solutions are designed to help credit unions grow, deepen member relationships, and deliver meaningful value. To learn how Mastercard can support your credit union's growth, visit mastercard.com. 

Cornerstone EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer Jim Phelps shares details regarding Cornerstone League's efforts to modernize its tech stack, which will benefit member credit unions through more personalized insights, smarter tools, and stronger relationships. 

Annette Leeth, VP of Operations, BSA and Compliance Officer at True Sky Federal Credit Union, shares tips on building a fraud-resilient credit union.  

This episode is sponsored by TruStage. 

Learn about the fraud trends credit unions are currently facing and ways to mitigate it, using education, awareness, staff training, and tools available through the credit union league system and partnerships. 

This episode is sponsored by Origence. Learn more about how Origence supports credit unions with purpose-built solutions and services designed to help reduce risk, strengthen operations, and protect members at every stage of the lending journey. 

In the financial services world, responsible artificial intelligence governance requires particular attention to compliance, risk, ethics, and examiner expectations. This episode covers areas where credit union leaders should pay close attention when it comes to AI governance at their institutions, breaking down each area into four, bite-sized pieces.

This episode is sponsored by Cornerstone Resources' partner, Millennium Corporate Credit Union.   

Neighborhood Credit Union Chief Growth Officer and AACUC 2026 Hall of Fame Nominee Carolyn Jordan reflects on her 46-year career in the credit union movement, the people who have inspired her journey, and how innovation and persistence have created opportunities for her members and community. 

Three credit union CEOs. Three different use cases for artificial intelligence. Zero hype. 

Hear how three credit unions leveraged AI to improve their operations and member service. 

Read original story in Cornerstone League's Perspectives Magazine. 

Harold Rowe – also known as Mr. Customer Service – has been on the Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union board of directors for two decades and is the 2025 winner of Cornerstone League’s Volunteer of the Year Award. In this episode of The Cornerstone League Podcast, he shares about how he earned his nickname, his career in education, and advice for those looking to step into the role of a board member. 

The 2026 Cornerstone Awards are open for submission! Let’s highlight our industry’s seasoned visionaries, talented professionals, energetic young professionals, and dedicated volunteers. Nominate a deserving colleague or nominate yourself! 

Three leaders from Cornerstone League's Education and Events team share lessons in leadership, the importance of in-person learning opportunities in a digital world, and share some details on Cornerstone's upcoming event, ELEVATE: Credit Union Leadership Summit.