CornerstoneCU - Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors

Heidi Schofer

Board President

James Knudson

Board Vice President

Nicole Campbell

Cheryl Denesowych

Sue Kearns

Lyle Weichel

Blair Van Caeseele

Leanne Huvenaars

Shelby Larose

Edie Tarasoff

Tim Taylor

Robert Ross

Heidi entered the credit union system as a Director at Horizon Credit Union in 2004. During the last four years, she has served as Horizon Credit Union's Board President, and has been elected Board President for Cornerstone Credit Union effective January 1, 2021 through to the 2022 Annual General Meeting. She has volunteered and worked on various boards at the local and provincial level since 1995.

Heidi obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan and her Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. She is currently employed as a substitute teacher in the Melville area. This allows her the time to work with her husband on their 1300-acre family farm west of Melville. She is married to Doug, who works as a locomotive engineer for CN. They have two children, Julia and Graeme.

Heidi spends her free time volunteering as an official for Skate Canada-Saskatchewan. She is an avid camper and loves to travel, enjoys learning new things, reading, gardening, and podcasts.

James has been a board member with Cornerstone Credit Union since 2001 and currently serves as Board Vice President. He is proud to have been on the steering committee for two successful mergers. He looks forward to working with the new board members and seeing what lies ahead for the new and improved Cornerstone Credit Union.

James and his wife Leanne live on a farm near Archerwill. He is involved in a successful five-man partnership (Knudson Farms), in which he farms grains, oilseeds, and raises purebred cattle. Their twins Miranda and Justin have now both received University degrees. Miranda works full time as an RN at RUH in Saskatoon. After working as a crop inspector again this summer, Justin is interested in pursuing a degree in Law.

Nicole has served on the Board of Cornerstone Credit Union since 2014. She has served on the Governance & Conduct Review Committees, Audit & Risk Committee, & the HR Executive Committee.

Nicole is a small-town Saskatchewan girl with big dreams who is passionate about Saskatchewan, as well as seeing growth in business, industry & agriculture within our province. She is the Vice President of Concrete Sask. & has served on their Board of Directors for 5 years. During her time with Concrete Sask. she has also chaired the concrete paving committee & had the privilege to represent the association at both Federal & Provincial Industry Lobby Days.

Nicole is the 3^rd generation owner of Yorkton Concrete 2012 Ltd, a redimix/precast concrete plant & granular material supply business based in Yorkton SK. She has been working in the family business since 2006 and began purchasing the business in 2012.

Nicole is very proud to be serving as a director of Cornerstone Credit Union, a strong & progressive organization rooted in its commitment to our members & communities.

Cheryl has served on the board of Cornerstone Credit Union for 15 years. Her commitment to the Credit Union system is based on having been a personal and business member with Cornerstone for over 40 years. More importantly, she believes in the Credit Union system because of its local community interest and support versus the profit-driven emphasis of the big banks. “I have seen the Credit Union system evolve and change so much over the years. I am very proud of Cornerstone’s growth, the organization’s progressive mindfulness and the team members who make it all work. It's important we directors work together to maintain a strong vision and set the right strategies for our member’s and future sustainability,” explains Cheryl.

During her tenure she chaired many Board committees and was elected as a Vice-President for 5-years. Cheryl has an extensive history as a Director and President of other boards.

Cheryl and her husband Al have owned and operated Yorkton Aircraft Service for 33 years. This dynamic business is the largest of its kind in Canada. They live on an acreage outside of Yorkton which features swans, geese, rabbits, Cat Nala and their dog Chief. When not at home, they are at their cabin or travelling to conferences and tradeshows. Their two sons live in the Yorkton area as well.

Sue was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She moved to Saskatchewan in 1980 and has lived in Kamsack, Glaslyn, Estevan, and now resides in Kipling since 1996.

She has served on the Board of Revision since 1997 to represent the RM of Hazelwood and town of Kipling. From 1990-1996 she did the accounting/reception in a small company. From 1996-2005 she was the Volunteer Coordinator in the Moose Mountain Health District and was a Real Estate agent in Kipling. From 2005-2020 she was co-owner of a family business in Kipling.

She has been married for 47 years and her family consists of her husband, 2 daughters, their spouses and 4 grandchildren.

Lyle joined the Plainsview Credit Union Board in 2016. Lyle owns and leads WestSource with his brother Tyler. WestSource provides project development, consulting, and EPC services to the renewable power and construction industries. WestSource is currently developing utility-scale wind and solar projects near Montmartre, Weyburn, Regina and Grenfell in collaboration with its development partner Kruger. Lyle holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Engineering from the U of R.

Lyle lives in White City with his wife Lindsay and their two daughters, Aria and Aurora. Despite his passion and vision for his business and a green/sustainable future, Lyle’s most rewarding moments are those with his family.

Blair has served as a board member with Horizon Credit Union since 2019.

Blair received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Regina in 2006 and his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2009. Since 2006, Blair has been working for the accounting firm of Miller Moar Grodecki Kreklewich & Chorney in Melville with a part time office out of Balcarres.

Blair moved to Melville from Langenburg in 2006. He currently volunteers with the Balcarres Broncs senior hockey team and enjoys camping and curling in his spare time.

Leanne joined the Cornerstone Credit Union Board in 2017.

Leanne is the Owner & Operator of Tisdale Dental Hygiene Clinic. Leanne and her husband also own rental property and have a cattle, produce and grain farm. Leanne is currently active on the Canadian and Saskatchewan Dental Hygiene Association boards; the NEOSS (Northeast Outreach and Support Services) board and the Clarence Campeau Business Development Fund committee.

Leanne is a community-oriented person who feels strongly about cooperatives. She appreciates that they focus on the community and give back.

Shelby currently serves as Board Member with Cornerstone Credit Union's inaugural board. She also sits on the board for SK Women in Ag as a Director and Communications Committee Lead.

Shelby has a degree in Agronomy and Agribusiness from the University of Saskatchewan and holds her PAg and CCA designations. She currently works for Loveland Products Canada (a division of Nutrien Ag Solutions) as a Proprietary Products Manager within Saskatchewan.

Shelby grew up and currently lives on a grain farm with her family near Windthorst, SK.

Edie joined Cornerstone Credit Union's Board of Directors in 2018. Edie was interested in becoming a Cornerstone Credit Union board member to have a hand in securing an accountable financial system that understands the needs of their members, wherever those members may live. She wants to ensure that Cornerstone Credit Union broadens services, remains competitive and attracts new members.

Edie is President of the Local Superannuated Teachers' Association, a member of the Wynter Wynds Community Theatre and Wynyard Hospital Auxiliary, as well as a leader in the Wynyard 4-H Light Horse Club.

Her early interest in anything outdoors led her to training in recreation and education. Edie and her husband Lorne have raised two children and worked in the Wynyard area. She retired in 2008 from a gratifying career as an educator. She now teaches communications classes at the Carlton Trail Regional College.

Tim has been a Credit Union Director since 1994. He has fulfilled multiple leadership roles during his time as a board member, including Chair of the Audit Committee and Board Vice President. Tim has expanded his understanding of credit unions by completing many of the courses offered to directors. He has served on many other committees over the years.

Tim retired as the Principal of Dr. Isman Elementary School in 2016 after a term of 26 years. His combined career of teaching and administration was 41 years. He is still actively involved in education as a substitute teacher and as a volunteer coach for the high school curling team in Wolseley. He is involved in the Wolseley community by being a member of his church board, being a member of Wolseley Town council, and is also an active member of the Wolseley Lions Club.

Tim and his wife Darcy reside in Wolseley along with their son, Landon. He enjoys golfing, curling, and woodworking as activities when his busy schedule allows.

Robert understands the importance of holding on to grassroots values and co-operative principles – where we come from and what the Credit Union System stands for. He also knows that in order to serve our members to the best of our ability, we have to keep changing and evolving.

Robert brings to the board table a balance of core values along with an open mind that change is a necessity. He has experience and knowledge in grain farming, livestock operation, 19 years experience in the Co-op Retail System and presently 20 years in the auction industry.

Robert presently owns and operates his own auction and appraisal company. He is the past president of the Sask Auctioneers Association and has also served as a director on the Provincial Livestock Marketers Association. He also has past experience as a councillor for the Town of Ituna.

Robert understands your needs and can provide good insight to help guide our Credit Union into a successful future.