After working in financial services for 20 years, Lorri Gaither joined the credit union movement in 2004 when the Cornerstone Credit Union League hired her as a representative for small credit unions.

Today, as vice president of small credit union development, she still has a driving passion to help others.

“Lorri is a champion for small credit union professionals in the Cornerstone region and beyond,” says Jon Gorman, the league’s senior vice president of communications and outreach. “She works tirelessly to support the needs of small credit union professionals and their volunteer boards by providing them with guidance, training, inspiration, and support.”

Regulation and compliance demands are a tremendous burden on all credit unions, but small credit unions feel it the most. Most operate on tight budgets, and keeping up with new compliance and regulation demands squeezes their margins even tighter.

“It’s very gratifying to help credit union leaders find the resources and tools they need so they can in turn help their members,” says Gaither.

One of those resources is the league’s Small Credit Union Conference, an event Gaither co-founded and organizes.

“To reach small credit union staff and boards, who often find it difficult to get away for much-needed training during the week, we held the one-day conference on a Saturday,” she says. “Turnout has been great, so we plan to make this an annual event.”

The credit union industry can learn a thing or two from Gaither about not giving up.

“Lorri continues to fight for small credit unions and their members, many of whom need a small or niche credit union to meet their financial service needs,” Gorman says.

“Many of us in the Cornerstone region already view Lorri as a rock star,” he adds, “because of her passionate and creative support of small credit unions.”