Williamsport, PA (June 11, 2026) |
Horizon Federal Credit Union recently celebrated six employees who graduated from the credit union’s inaugural leadership development program. The Expand Your Leadership Horizons program focused on key skills to develop and enhance employee’s leadership abilities. Employees attended a total of five workshops, each focusing on different attributes of leadership. Between sessions, individuals completed assignments and met with one of Horizon’s senior leaders who were paired as a mentor throughout the program.
“We strongly believe that employees are Horizon’s greatest asset” said Michael Patterson, Horizon’s Chief Branding Officer. “The goal of this program is to elevate the abilities of our current leaders, while at the same time, start developing Horizon’s leaders for tomorrow. We’re proud of how much everyone embraces learning and were willing to be a little vulnerable and uncomfortable in order to grow.”
Lessons learned made a profound impact on the program’s participants. Rebecca Cortright, Horizon’s Credit Solutions Manager, was eager to enroll in the program. Rebecca was a former CEO of a smaller credit union that merged with Horizon six years prior. “One of the most valuable takeaways for me has been improving my communication and consistency. I’ve become more intentional in how I show up for my team and more confident in addressing challenges directly rather than avoiding them. That shift has made a noticeable difference in both my leadership approach and team dynamics.”
The initial four classes in the series were created and facilitated by Patterson, along with Horizon’s President and Chief Executive Officer Justin Howard. The final class was conducted by Dr. Tracey C. Jones, who holds a PhD in Leadership and is a frequent partner with the credit union.
"What I saw in this group was the rarest thing in leadership development: hunger” remarked Dr. Jones. “They didn't show up to be impressed. They showed up to be honest. Justin and his team have built something special at Horizon, a culture where leaders are willing to do the inside work that changes everything outside."
Another one of the participants who eagerly leaned into being honest and hungry to learn was Mallory Cororan, a Horizon branch manager. “The program challenged me to think differently about leadership and the role I play in helping others grow. It reinforced that leadership isn't about having all the answers but about creating an environment where people feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to succeed.”
After the final workshop, participants and their spouses attended a graduation dinner at a local restaurant. Employees presented their leadership mission statement and received an award to recognize their achievement in the program.
“The success of the first year of Expand Your Leadership Horizon was a testament to the dedication, hard work, and commitment of our six participants” noted Howard. “Throughout the program, they embraced challenges, invested in their growth, and demonstrated a genuine passion for leadership. We are already seeing the impact of their development through the positive influence they are having on their teams and our organization. We are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished and excited about the future of Horizon’s leadership program. We look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead and witnessing the lasting impact future participants will make as leaders.”
