Join us for our October CTC Friday Conversation: "Let's Celebrate Co-Op Month!"

Each October, Co-op Month gives us the opportunity to spotlight the power of co-ops and the cooperative business model as a tool for building thriving regional economies. This year is extra special—2025 has been designated the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) by the United Nations, honoring the role cooperatives play in poverty reduction, employment, and social integration. The global theme says it all: “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”

Let’s come together to celebrate, learn, and share how co-ops are shaping stronger communities everywhere. Don’t miss it!

Our esteemed panelist are:

• Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director, Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
• Elisabeth Philippe, Senior Manager of UN Affairs and Partnerships, UNFCU
• Gerry Singleton, President/CEO, Montana Credit Unions
• Jill Tomalin, Executive VP and Chief of Staff, America's Credit Unions

Doug O'Brien, President & CEO of National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International will moderate this conversation. 

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Keep reading to learn more about our panelists and moderator. 

Cornelius Blanding
Executive Director
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

Cornelius Blanding began his career in development work as an economic development intern for the Florida Department of Commerce assigned to the City of Miami Beach and since then has gained a broad experience base including rural, international and cooperative economic development.

His experiences include business and project development, management and marketing. He has over 25 years of experience serving black farmers, landowners and limited resource cooperatives as well as rural communities in the South and internationally. He has worked as a small business development & management consultant, manager of a multi-million dollar revolving loan fund, domestic and international project director, Director of Field Operations & Special Projects, Deputy Director and has been serving as the Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund since 2015.

Cornelius has also served and continues to serve on various boards and committees, including the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Farm & Forest Carbon Solutions Task Force, Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance Steering Committee, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Policy Research Center’s Advisory Board, Nationwide’s Board Council, National Cooperative Business Association’s Board of Directors, Cooperative Development Foundation Board, Agricultural Safety & Health Council of America, Southeast Climate Consortium, Presbyterian Committee on the Self Development of People, USDA State Emergency Board (Georgia), a Blue Ribbon Panel for the Duke Endowment’s Rural Church Program Area and was appointed by the US Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the Land Tenure Sub-Committee of the USDA Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers & Ranchers.

Elisabeth Philippe
Senior Manager of UN Affairs and Partnerships
UNFCU

Elisabeth “Liz” Philippe is the senior manager of UN Affairs and Partnerships at the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU), headquartered in New York City. She manages media relations and builds relationships, serving as a liaison with United Nations organizations globally in support of the Credit Union’s many initiatives and its alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Liz also oversees communication on progress to the UN Global Compact and is a contributing author of UNFCU’s Impact Report.

As a founding member and Program Manager of the UNFCU Global Sustainability Program, Liz is passionate about advancing the United in Sustainability Network of credit unions and associations. The UIS Network serves as an incubator of ideas, best practices, and industry advocacy on sustainability. Liz also sits on the Advisory Council of the UNFCU Foundation, which has a mission to sustain the path out of poverty for marginalized women and youth through access to education, healthcare, and livelihood training.

Prior to joining UNFCU in 2002, Liz facilitated the Speakers’ Bureau at MasterCard International. She began her career in Public Affairs at Citibank N.A in the Press Information Department.

A native New Yorker, Liz graduated with a BA degree in history from Fordham University. She enjoys teaching youth about sustainability as the head of her parish Green Team.

Gerry Singleton
President/CEO
Montana Credit Unions

Gerry Singleton has dedicated his career to the credit union movement, and he brings that passion and dedication into his role as President/CEO of Montana’s Credit Unions (MCU). Gerry plans and directs the financial, operating, and human resources for the Montana Credit Union League, Montana Credit Unions for Community Development, and the League Service Group. He also serves as chair of the Montana Credit Union League Group Benefits Trust and oversees its operation. Under Gerry’s leadership, MCU continually delivers quality advocacy, programs, and services across the state.

Previously to joining Montana’s Credit Unions, Gerry spent 25 years as the VP-Credit Union System Relations at TruStage, working closely alongside state trade associations, America's Credit Unions, and other key system partners to build a thriving credit union system. During his time in the credit union movement, he has served on various national boards of directors and advisory groups, including the Board of the National Credit Union Foundation, the Board of the TruStage Foundation, Credit Unions Building Financial Independence (CT), the Advisory Board of the CUFinHealth Fund, and as an active Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), with designations for International DE, CaribDE and Africa DE. Gerry has a passion for leadership development and has spent time in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and across the United States developing and coaching leaders. With certifications in leadership programs, personality assessments, and experiential facilitation, Gerry believes that people learn best by doing and serving others. Singleton is a long-time resident of Bozeman, Montana, who loves spending time with his family, hiking, and connecting to his community.

Jill Tomalin
Executive VP and Chief of Staff
America's Credit Unions

Jill Tomalin is Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at America’s Credit Unions. Tomalin has more than 30 years of experience within the credit union industry, including two decades of expertise leading high-performing teams. Tomalin oversees Membership & Engagement, Communications & Marketing, Operations & Finance, and Association Services. She most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at CUNA.

Doug O'Brien
President & CEO
National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International

Doug O'Brien works with the cooperative community, both domestically and internationally, to deepen their impact and influence. NCBA is the primary voice for cooperatives in the United States for using the cooperative business model to empower people in their businesses and communities. Doug has been with NCBA since 2016 and became president and CEO in January 2018.

Before coming to NCBA CLUSA, Doug led the work of the White House Rural Council and served in top positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Doug has also worked in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House and for two Governors. O'Brien's experience in academia includes teaching and writing at the University of Arkansas and Drake University Law School.

O’Brien was raised on a diversified farm in Dubuque County, Iowa, and holds degrees from Loras College (Dubuque, Iowa), the University of Iowa Law School, and the University of Arkansas Masters in Agricultural and Food Law Program. O’Brien lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, with his wife, Alisa and three children. He enjoys biking, travel, his memberships in a number of consumer co-ops and credit unions.