Christina Frank has an extensive background in managing non-profit organizations and promoting economic development. She has a track record of successful work in these fields and is particularly adept at fundraising and strategic planning. Additionally, Christina is highly skilled at building strong relationships, both within her organization and outside of it. Her expertise includes event planning, communications and marketing, customer service, fundraising, and nonprofit management. 

Christina Frank has been an integral part of Cornerstone Alliance for the past 7 years as an experienced executive. During this time, she joined as the director of investor relations and achieved significant fundraising success. She developed and implemented a robust and comprehensive fundraising plan while being responsible for all fundraising activities, donor engagement, solicitation, stewardship, and the necessary tools and systems to execute development programs. Additionally, Christina managed the communication and marketing of the Cornerstone Alliance brand, building its reputation throughout Berrien County and across the US. As part of her role, Christina also oversaw all marketing and communication efforts and fundraising initiatives, creating awareness of the Cornerstone Alliance mission and the benefits of supporting economic development outcomes through integrated and targeted marketing campaigns. 

Christina was promoted to Vice President of External Affairs in August 2018, taking on a senior leadership position within the executive management team. In her current role, she is also a senior leader on the executive management team, and plays a crucial role in building relationships, improving job opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life for Berrien County residents. Christina brings a wealth of experience to the table and is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication and public relations strategies that showcase the organization’s achievements and promote its goals. Through her efforts, she helps to position the community effectively within the economic development landscape. 

Prior Journey  

Before joining Cornerstone Alliance, Christina was the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass County, Inc., where she led the nonprofit by developing and strengthening its programs and serving more children in the Berrien and Cass County communities. As an executive, she is passionate about serving youth and has focused on helping children in Berrien and Cass County communities have higher aspirations, greater confidence, and educational success. 

Christina holds a professional certification in economic development from the University of Oklahoma, a certificate in non-profit leadership from the University of Notre Dame, and a bachelor’s degree from Sienna Heights University. Most recently, she earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council; she is one of only 17 women in the State of MI to currently hold this certification. 

Leading in Variety of Fields  

Christina is an esteemed member of several professional associations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the International Society of Female Professionals (where she holds a lifetime membership), the Michigan Economic Development Association, and the International Economic Development Council. Additionally, she actively volunteers with several local nonprofits and serves on various community organization boards. In recognition of her outstanding practices, innovation, and success in building the communities she serves, Christina was named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2022. She was nominated for this prestigious honor by her colleagues in both the economic development and site location consulting industries. 

In addition to being named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2022, Christina was also recognized as one of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Michigan for 2022 by Women We Admire. This prestigious honor is awarded to women who are driving change and making significant advancements that will pave the way for future generations of female leaders to reach greater heights. Women We Admire is an organization that was established with the purpose of recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of women leaders across all industries worldwide. Their goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders to dream big and challenge conventional norms by sharing the inspiring stories of these remarkable women. 

Christina has also been featured on the following podcasts: 

• Podcast: America’s Jobs Team – Powered by Consultant Connect
  https://jobsteam.consultantconnect.org/2022/06/02/episode-197-taking-a-leap-of-faith/ 

• Podcast: Limitless – The Podcast, by Frankly Co.
  https://franklyco.com/limitless-podcast/turning-pain-into-purpose-with-christina-frank/ 

Cornerstone Alliance  

Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments, and the local tax base in Michigan’s Great Southwest with specialized business services offered in economically distressed areas. It delivers customer-focused economic development solutions through partnerships that grow employment opportunities, increase the tax base, and add to the economic vibrancy of our area. 

Located within a 90-minute drive of Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, Southwest Michigan is a great place to do business, or live. Renowned for its agriculture, agritourism, and agribusinesses, Southwest Michigan is among the best growing regions in America. The lush orchards and vineyards bear witness and can produce beer, wine, or spirits. Lake Michigan tempers the climate, making Southwest Michigan one of the most diverse growing regions in the nation (second only to California). 

Along with agriculture, Southwest Michigan is home to some of the world’s most recognizable companies. One of the best-known companies is Whirlpool Corporation, the largest home appliance manufacturer in the world. Founded and headquartered in Benton Harbor. Other businesses, such as Hanson Global, Eagle Technologies, JR Automation, and Robert Bosch LLC, manufacture and supply a variety of products around the globe. 

As a visible and vocal proponent for community growth and change, Cornerstone Alliance continues to be a collaborative leader that acknowledges the opportunities and challenges in Southwest Michigan. Cornerstone is the leading voice in eliminating barriers and cultivating economic prosperity. In 2022, Cornerstone Alliance developed programs and initiatives to better serve and support minority groups that are often underserved and underrepresented. It focused on physical development projects that led directly to job creation; utilized natural resources to propel business, employment, and housing growth; and supported municipal and corporate initiatives that improve mobility, connectivity, and access for all. Creating a more compelling place to live and work. 

Cornerstone Alliance is committed to delivering results that are market responsive, diverse in thought, and economically beneficial. The Alliance continues to invest its resources in physical and community development in order to maximize Cornerstone’s community’s marketability. 

Steps Towards Women’s Empowerment  

Cornerstone’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone Alliance was recognized, as being named The 2022 Women’s Business Center of The Year, in the State of Michigan. This recognition highlights the work  WBC is doing to provide women, veterans, minorities, and others from diverse backgrounds, many of whom face social or economic barriers, with opportunities to develop the skills and acquire the knowledge necessary to achieve financial independence. The WBC continues to provide business and financial assistance to women and minorities, with an emphasis on low-income individuals seeking to start, or grow their own business. 

Christina’s most recent project, which she is most proud of in her career to date, is a program she created called FLEX: Female Leadership Excellence. This program is aimed at empowering women in business and focuses on career acceleration, personal development, and excellent leadership. 

Since launching in March of 2022, FLEX has held three successful events, all of which sold out weeks ahead of time. The events feature a panel discussion led by women in powerful executive leadership roles, providing attendees with valuable insights and networking opportunities. 

FLEX offers several ticket options, including a corporate sponsorship package for companies to reserve a table for their employees. Additionally, to make the event more inclusive, there is also a free option for individuals to attend. Christina is proud to have created a program that supports and empowers women in business and is excited to see FLEX grow and evolve in the coming years.  

 ”When we say we want everyone at the table, we mean it,” said Christina. “By offering a free option for individuals and a significantly low-cost option for corporate tables, we are being intentional about removing the financial barrier oftentimes associated with opportunities like this, because everyone should have a seat at the table.” 

Christina is deeply passionate about empowering women in the workplace. Empowering women is not only a social responsibility but also an economic imperative. Communities that actively create opportunities for women in the workplace tend to drive economic growth and increase competitiveness. Christina believes that it is crucial for communities everywhere to prioritize and invest in women’s empowerment to create a more prosperous and inclusive society. 

Link to Flex 2022 Recap Video: https://youtu.be/gdF9_ETMfoo 

As a Person and Professional 

Christina’s career trajectory began in investor relations, but over time, she became more deeply involved in economic development. She finds her work deeply fulfilling, as it allows her to contribute to the betterment of her community and the lives of its residents—something she feels grateful to be a part of. 

As a leader, Christina describes her leadership style as transformational. She is confident in the abilities and talents of her team and believes in the importance of their work. She places great value on building strong relationships – both in her personal life and in business, as she recognizes the power that meaningful connections can bring. 

Thriving in Male Dominated World  

Christina acknowledges that being a woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry can pose unique challenges. She believes that female leaders often face more intense pressure to succeed compared to their male counterparts. Navigating double standards can be challenging, as women are expected to be assertive yet not perceived as aggressive or overly assertive, and to be nice without being perceived as too sweet. 

Throughout her leadership journey, Christina has learned the value of surrounding herself with other powerful female leaders. This has been instrumental in helping her navigate the complexities of leadership in a male-dominated industry. She believes that having a strong support network of like-minded women can provide valuable insight, guidance, and encouragement for female leaders facing similar challenges. 

In Christina’s opinion, there are leaders, maybe not a lot, but definitely some that lack genuine humility. She says, “We live in a world where everyone is someone, and I think that gets exaggerated at the leadership level. Be humble. Be Kind. But be relentless in your quest for success, and always follow the mission of your organization.” 

A Future with Endless Possibilities 

Christina is optimistic about the future and believes that we are currently living in a time of great change and endless possibilities. There is still much transformative work to be done, and she finds this prospect to be exciting. 

As for her own future, Christina is unsure where she will be in the next five years. She believes that the uncertainty of life is one of its mysteries, and that nobody truly has everything figured out. 

Message for Every Woman Out There  

Christina’s advice to women visionaries includes three essential elements for success. Firstly, she suggests finding a good mentor who can provide guidance and support throughout your journey. Secondly, Christina emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with people who inspire and challenge you, as the people you spend the most time with can greatly influence your success. Lastly, she encourages women to never give up on their dreams and to embrace the idea that every day can be a new beginning. If you need to start over multiple times to achieve your goals, don’t be afraid to do so. Success is a journey, and persistence is key. 

website: www.cstonealliance.org