You're our Cornerstone
On January 1, 2026, Conexus Credit Union 2006, Cornerstone Credit Union Financial Group Limited, and Synergy Credit Union Ltd. amalgamated as Conexus Credit Union. Any reference on this website or in any linked documents to “Cornerstone Credit Union Financial Group Limited” is hereby deemed to refer to Conexus Credit Union.
Our Purpose
Our Vision
Our Vision
Our Values
Member First: We are about people; we listen to understand each person’s story.
Integrity: We can be trusted to do the right thing.
Accountability: We take ownership of our actions and responsibilities.
Leadership: We encourage continuous learning and simplifying what we do.
Cooperation: We live the co-operative principles; we genuinely care about you and our communities.
Meet your Executive Leadership Team
Celina Philpot
Chief Executive Officer
Annette Revet
Chief Strategy and Governance Officer, Chief Integration Officer
Garnett Volk
Chief Growth Officer
Jeremy Trask
Chief Information Officer
Mark Millham
Chief Risk and Compliance Officer
Neil Cooper
Chief Financial Officer
Tara McKeown
Chief People and Culture Officer
Theresa Kuzina
Chief Marketing Officer
Celina brings a bold vision for success, a deep commitment to community, and a decisive, results-driven leadership style to her role as CEO of Conexus. With 29 years of experience in the credit union system, she has held key leadership positions in two major Manitoba credit unions before joining Conexus in Saskatchewan. Celina's expertise and proven track record position her to drive exceptional outcomes and lead the organization into a strong future.
Celina's commitment to continuous learning and self-development has been a driving force throughout her career. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba, a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the University of Winnipeg, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation from PMI International. Celina has also earned the designation of Executive Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University to further enhance her leadership expertise. These accomplishments reflect her dedication to both personal growth and excellence in her field.
Celina is deeply committed to community growth and vitality, as reflected in her board involvement. She currently serves as a Director on the Sask Chamber of Commerce and as a Trustee for the Regina Police Pension Board. She has also served as a Director for the Canadian Credit Union Association and Economic Development Regina.
As a first-generation Canadian and multilingual professional, Celina is passionate about the financial co-operative system. She believes that by serving the collective interests of members, credit unions play a key role in fostering financial prosperity and contributing to a thriving Saskatchewan.
Annette has been an instrumental part of Conexus since 2016, in her role as Chief Strategy and Governance Officer, and Chief Integration Officer. She currently shapes and directs strategy, governance, communications, procurement and vendor management, community investment, and internal audit.
With an impressive 30 years of leadership experience across diverse industries in the private, public, and cooperative sectors, Annette is known for her exceptional ability to navigate complex challenges and drive organizational success.
Annette holds a Master of Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Chemistry. She is also certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt, demonstrating her expertise in process improvement. Additionally, she is a Chartered Director through the Conference Board of Canada and the DeGroote School of Business, reflecting her deep commitment to governance excellence.
Since 2018, Annette has been a member of SaskCentral’s Board of Directors and currently holds the position of Chair of the Governance, Human Resources, and Conduct Review Committee. She is deeply passionate about community service and actively contributes her expertise as Vice-Chair as well as Governance and Nominations Committee Chair for Protein Industries Canada, Chair of the Governance and Human Capital Committee for Group Medical Services, and as a dedicated volunteer with the Red Cross.
With her extensive experience, unwavering commitment to excellence, and passion for community engagement, Annette is poised to drive Conexus toward its strategic goals while fostering a culture of governance and collaboration that benefits both the organization and its members.
Garnett harnesses his extensive leadership experience in member engagement, in his role as Chief Growth Officer, overseeing Conexus’ member facing teams in Wealth Management, Retail, Commercial and Agriculture. In addition, he also leads Cultivator powered by Conexus, the first Credit Union led Business Incubator.
Garnett approaches his role with focus, resilience, and a strong belief in the potential of the credit union system to deliver exceptional experiences for both members and employees. He is inherently optimistic of what is possible for the credit union system. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, Garnett brings a wealth of knowledge to his position.
A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Garnett holds a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture degree, majoring in Economics. He is also committed to lifelong learning, furthering his expertise in Wealth Management and Risk Management. His diverse senior leadership roles have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the financial services landscape.
Garnett serves as the Board Chair of Credit Union Dealer Finance (CUDF) and Ontario Credit Union Dealer Finance (ONCUDF/DriveOn). He is also an active board member and volunteer with organizations aligned with his passions of agriculture, youth sports and supporting individuals with special needs. Through his involvement with the Canadian Centre for Rural and Ag Health, Hockey Regina, and Special Olympics, Garnett is dedicated to making a positive impact on communities where we live and work.
Driven by a commitment to community impact and member excellence, Garnett is dedicated to advancing the credit union system and enriching the lives of those he serves.
Jeremy is a seasoned Chief Information Officer with extensive experience in driving technology strategy and innovation. He leads the areas of payments, technology infrastructure and operations, software development, project portfolio management, data and analytics, and technology vendor management.
With over 17 years of experience at Conexus, and 22 years in the cooperative sector, Jeremy has played a crucial lead role in aligning IT initiatives with business goals, ensuring that technology investments deliver maximum value.
Jeremy holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Regina, as well as several technical certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
Jeremy's expertise extends to serving on the investment committee of CVC Funds 1 and 2. He possesses in-depth knowledge of the Canadian credit union system through his involvement with the Large Credit Union Coalition (LCUC) and has contributed to numerous national initiatives such as Payco and CUPO. Through the LCUC, Jeremy has introduced several innovations to credit unions, including mobile payments and remote deposit capture, with more advancements on the horizon.
In addition to his professional achievements, Jeremy is actively involved in several industry boards, educational institutions, and volunteer organizations that reflect his interests in technology, learning, sport, and community development. His engagements include the University of Regina, Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, Hockey Saskatchewan, and other notable institutions. Jeremy's commitment to these causes allows him to contribute significantly to the growth and betterment of the communities in which he lives and works.
Mark oversees key critical areas at Conexus, in his role as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, including enterprise risk management (ERM), regulatory compliance, credit risk, loan administration, loss prevention, cybersecurity, retail non-lending policy, and business continuity. With 27 years of experience at Conexus, he has excelled in roles spanning retail member services, corporate finance, and ERM.
Mark holds several professional qualifications including a CPA, CGA, Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation. He also earned a Bachelor of Administration degree from the University of Regina and has certifications in change management and credit union governance. He actively contributes to the industry as a Director on the boards for Credit Union Dealer Finance (CUDF) and Conexus Venture Capital Inc.
A strong advocate for credit union collaboration, Mark values partnerships across the loan syndication network, working closely with peers across the country to address common challenges in risk management and drive success within the credit union system.
With a steadfast commitment to enhancing risk management practices and fostering collaboration within the credit union community, Mark is dedicated to driving sustainable growth and success for Conexus and its members.
Neil plays a key role in ensuring financial sustainability and success at Conexus. His sharp analytical mind and dedication to long-term growth keep Conexus in the winning column. As Chief Financial Officer, Neil leads the accounting, finance and treasury functions of the organization. With a focus on financial sustainability and stewardship, he is willing to make thoughtful, strategic, and sometimes tough decisions for the greater good of Conexus, its members, and employees.
In 2018, Neil led the organization’s entry into venture capital, launching three funds and overseeing the fund management team. His leadership extends beyond Conexus, as he currently serves as Chair of the Board for SaskCentral and previously sat on the Management Committee for Celero Solutions.
Neil holds a Master of Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He also earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto.
Neil’s passion for cooperatives extends beyond the work arena. As an active volunteer and Board Director of Cooperative Development Foundation Canada, he has been dedicated to building sustainable communities through cooperative principles globally. Neil also spends time volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society and MS Society of Canada.
Neil’s dedication to financial stewardship, cooperative principles, and community service ensures his lasting influence on both Conexus and the wider community.
Tara has led the human resources practice at Conexus, since 2017, in her role as Chief People and Culture Officer. She currently oversees key areas including organizational development, people development, employee relations, compensation and benefits, payroll, and property and facilities.
She has spent the last 28 years contributing to the success of members and the cooperative system, both here in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Her extensive background in sales, operations, and her desire for delivering an exceptional experience for our members, has built a strong foundation that Tara leads and shapes the culture of Conexus from every day.
In addition to various industry certificates and designations, Tara holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Entrepreneurial Management, an Executive Master of Business Administration degree, as well as the ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. She is a past award recipient of the National Young Leaders Award and has served on various system committees at the national and provincial level.
Tara is actively involved with various community organizations and is the current Chair for Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Saskatoon. She is a past Director for the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce as well as Valley Action Abilities, an organization dedicated to providing vocational programming and group housing for adults living with cognitive and physical disabilities.
With her passion for the cooperative system, her unwavering commitment to member success, and her deep understanding and study of human behaviour, Tara continues to create effective human resource strategies that ensure the strategic success of the organization and recognizes the agency of the employee within a dynamic landscape.
Theresa brings a visionary mindset to driving brand, member experience, and growth marketing strategies in her role as Chief Marketing Officer. She is recognized as a creative and innovative marketing leader whose leadership enables organizations to flourish.
With over 21 years of experience in the credit union sector, Theresa has excelled in both client-side and agency roles. She has a proven track record of building and leading high-performing marketing teams that achieve ambitious growth targets and drive value for internal partners. Known for her collaborative leadership style, Theresa fosters strong partnerships and leads with a focus on teamwork and mutual success.
By leveraging data and insights, Theresa ensures the voice of the market and members is central to strategic decision-making, maintaining the relevance of the credit union and making a meaningful difference in members' lives. Theresa is a firm believer in the power of branding and has dedicated her career to crafting compelling brands that deliver both member and business value.
Theresa holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba with a double major in Marketing and International Business.
Having relocated from Manitoba to Saskatchewan with her family, Theresa has quickly come to value the province’s robust business community and its collaborative spirit. With her strategic vision and commitment to member-centric branding, Theresa is poised to elevate the organization’s impact and drive continued success in Saskatchewan’s vibrant business landscape.
