Caroline Willard

Caroline Willard is president and CEO of Cornerstone League, one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the United States. She took the helm of the association – which represents credit unions in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas – and its subsidiaries, Cornerstone Resources and Cornerstone Foundation in April 2017. As president and CEO of Cornerstone, she is responsible for growing both the for-profit and not-for-profit sides of the association and strengthening its value proposition through relevant services and support at the state level and in Washington, D.C. ... Read more

Willard serves as vice chair on the Credit Union National Association board and serves on the Credit Unions for Kids and Plexcity boards of directors. She is also the chair of CUNA’s Advocacy committee for 2023.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Willard worked for CO-OP Financial Services (now Co-op Solutions) as executive vice president, markets and strategy. During her tenure, she also handled mergers and acquisitions, relationship management, marketing, product development, and strategic planning. Willard has worked at financial institutions, as well: Downey Savings in Newport Beach, Calif., and American First Credit Union in La Habra, Calif.

Willard earned a Bachelor of Arts at California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Business Administration at Pepperdine University.