Cornerstone University Hosts Fortune 500 CEO, Strengthening Its Role as a Hub for Christ-Centered Leadership and Community Connection

Cornerstone University recently welcomed more than 100 students, alumni, faculty, and West Michigan community leaders for a leadership forum and networking breakfast featuring Cheryl Bachelder, former CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and one of the nation’s most respected Fortune 500 leaders. The event underscored Cornerstone’s reputation as a Christian thought leader, convening some of America’s most distinguished leaders and influential voices to prepare students for today’s rapidly evolving market while also providing some of the best business thinking available to the West Michigan community.

With nearly four decades of executive leadership experience spanning companies such as Procter & Gamble, Domino’s Pizza, and Yum!, Bachelder is widely recognized for leading the successful turnaround of Popeyes into a high-performing national brand. Her presence on campus offered something far more than a keynote, it created direct access to a proven leader for the Cornerstone community.

The morning represented a unique opportunity: attendees engaged not only with Bachelder’s insights on leadership, faith, and navigating complexity, but also with one another – building relationships that extend far beyond campus.

At a time when students and young professionals are seeking both purpose and preparation, Cornerstone is intentionally creating spaces where those worlds intersect.

A Front-Row Seat to Leadership in Action

Through her 60-minute conversation with President Gerson Moreno-Riaño, Bachelder offered practical and deeply relevant leadership insights, particularly for those preparing to step into influence. She emphasized that leadership begins with clarity and discipline – sharing how, during her tenure at Popeyes, narrowing more than 100 competing priorities down to just a few key initiatives created alignment and ultimately drove results.

For students, the message was clear: leadership is not about doing more, but about focusing on what matters most and executing it well.

She also challenged attendees to rethink leadership as fundamentally people-centered:

“Set the daring destination but serve that team well every step of the walk.”

This perspective reframes ambition through the lens of service, an approach that deeply aligns with Cornerstone’s mission to develop Christ-first leaders.

Investing in the Next Generation of Christ-First Influencers

Bachelder’s emphasis on courage and humility – “daring and serving” – captured the kind of leadership Cornerstone seeks to develop: leaders who pursue results while remaining grounded in moral responsibility.

The impact of the event extended beyond campus.

Among the attendees was Kyra Woodley, a SOAR student in Cornerstone’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program, who traveled more than two hours across the state to attend the early morning event.

Eager to grow in her own leadership opportunities, Woodley came specifically to learn from Bachelder and to engage with the Cornerstone community in person – an example of the initiative and intentionality the University seeks to cultivate in its students.

Advancing Thought Leadership with Purpose

By convening conversations around leadership, faith, and influence, Cornerstone has established itself as a Christian thought leader at the intersection of business and Christ-centered values.

Hosting a leader of Bachelder’s caliber through its leadership forum reflects the University’s commitment to engaging experienced voices and addressing the real challenges leaders and students are facing today. It also demonstrates Cornerstone’s ability to create space for conversations that are accessible, thoughtful, and grounded in a Christ-centered perspective.

Continuing the Vision

This gathering is part of a broader vision including the successful Wisdom Conversations series: to continue creating spaces where leadership, faith, and community converge.

As Cornerstone University expands these opportunities, it remains committed to equipping Christ-first leaders and serving as a place where ideas are exchanged, relationships are built, and impact begins.

For more information about Cornerstone University’s 65-plus degree programs or The Cornerstone Core™ curriculum launching fall 2026, contact admissions@cornerstone.edu, request information, or call 616.222.1426.