WHAT’S HAPPENED?
In July, Celina Philpot was announced as the CEO for the new Conexus Credit Union. At that time, it was communicated that Celina will need some time to begin the important work of shaping the future structure and plans for our new credit union. While she is busy doing that, we thought we would take this opportunity to help you get to know Celina.
More About Celina:
Celina brings over 29 years of experience in the credit union system, with her most recent role as CEO of Conexus Credit Union. Prior to that she was the Chief Retail and Brand Officer at Steinbach Credit Union (SCU) in Manitoba, where she was responsible for delivering business results and managing organizational risk through the development of strategies for retail sales, wealth management, member services, marketing, and corporate programs. Her other prior roles at SCU included Vice President, Corporate Development; Executive Vice President, Operations; and Executive Vice President, Member Engagement and Brand.
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. 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, Celina witnessed the value of commitment, hard work, drive, and community. As a leader, Celina brings these qualities to her work and leadership. She has a proven track record of delivering significant growth by challenging and empowering leaders at all levels to think differently, approach challenges creatively, and inspire collective action that achieves positive results for members, the organization, and the community at large.
On a more personal note, Celina is married with two sons who are all around athletes. She also has three more members in her family of various cocker spaniel mix. Celina loves to communicate through storytelling and hearing others tell their stories, and can do so in three languages – English, Portuguese and French. Celina is an avid gardener, finds joy in cooking Italian cuisine and considers herself to be a somewhat of a news junkie. Learning about different global cultures is high on her list of things to experience!
Get to Know Celina
As we continue our journey toward becoming one unified credit union, we want to help everyone get to know Celina.
Back in October 2022, Conexus employees were introduced to Celina through a candid Q&A-style video podcast. It’s a warm, insightful conversation that offers a glimpse into her leadership style, values, and vision (at that time) for the future. Though recorded a couple of years ago, the content remains fresh, relevant, and a great way to understand what drives her.
In December 2022, a second video was released to introduce Celina to Conexus members. This podcast also follows a Q&A format and complements the first by highlighting her approach to member service and community impact.
We encourage everyone—especially employees at Cornerstone and Synergy—to take some time to watch or listen to both episodes. They’re a great way to connect with Celina’s story and leadership philosophy as we move forward together.
Watch the videos
The Briefing Room with Celina Philpot – 2022 intro of Celina to Conexus employees
Celina Philpot: Nice to CU. Let’s make HERstory. – 2022 intro of Celina to Conexus members
Stay tuned to hear more from Celina in the coming months!
WHAT’S NEW?
1. Board Integration Team
The Board Integration Team has established the leadership and committees of the Inaugural Board, effective January 1, 2026:
- Board Chair: Heidi Schofer
- Vice-Chair: Ken Kosolofski
Visit the Board bio section on thrivingtogethersk.ca to learn more.
The Chair and Vice-Chair will serve in these roles until the next Re-organization Meeting, scheduled following the 2026 AGM (anticipated in April 2027).
The Board also confirmed its committee structure, which will include four standing committees:
Audit & Conduct Review
Adam Hicks – Chair
Melanie Bonnah
Ty Kehrig
Pam Skotnitsky
Governance & Human Resources
Kathryn Pollack – Chair
Neil Carruthers
Jessica NcNaughton
Don Wheler
Risk
Lyle Weichel – Chair
Ken Kosolofski
Tim Otitoju
Pam Skotnitsky
Nominations
Not being resourced until 2026 in alignment with the next director recruitment cycle.
2. Executive Team Structure and Process
We’re currently in the early stages of shaping the executive team for the new Conexus Credit Union. Celina is meeting with current executive team members individually to build relationships, understand interests, and explore alignment.
Next steps include a formal interview process for roles of interest, supported by a third-party recruitment firm.
The future executive structure will be informed by the current Conexus model, which was refreshed three years ago based on research and expert guidance. At the same time, we’ll be exploring variations that not only reflect the evolving needs of the organization but also support what may be required for a successful merger. This approach supports our current direction and aligns with the partner credit unions’ shared commitment to exceptional service.
At this stage, a strategy for the new Conexus Credit Union has not been built, so we’re holding off on broader organizational changes until the strategic direction is clear.
We’re also working on forming a dedicated merger integration team to guide the transition and help us bring forward the best of each credit union.
Stay tuned—appointments to both the new executive team and the merger integration team will be announced by October.
WHAT’S NEXT?
- We need time to shape the future plans for the new credit union. The first step for Celina will be to establish the Executive team and merger integration team for the new credit union. It will then take time for these teams to plan for the integration, organizational structure, roles and other key areas. The rest of this year is about planning.
- Employees can expect regular updates as new information comes available. The next update is planned for October.
- We continue to finalize the legal and regulatory processes. We are on track to have this completed by the end of December.
- The competition bureau may still be monitoring us. Be cautious not to engage in anti-competitive activity with our partners. If in doubt, please consult with your Executive leader.
- In the meantime, it’s business as usual. Each credit union will continue to operate independently through to year end, fulfilling on its 2025 goals and objectives. All current commitments including performance reviews and 2025 incentive programs will continue as planned.
Together, we’re laying the foundation for a stronger credit union that will create even more opportunities for our employees, members and communities.
Thank you for your continued focus and commitment as we move forward!