Cornerstone’s leadership team provides strategic direction and oversees the day-to-day operations of Cornerstone.
Meg Schnabel, Executive Director
Megs@cornerstonemn.org
Meg Schnabel has been working in the field of interpersonal violence for over 25 years; five of those years at Cornerstone. She holds a Master of Social Work Degree from Washington University and has received many awards for her work, including the Hannah B. Solomon Award, which is the National Council of Jewish Women’s highest honor for making important contributions within the community for women and families. She was also honored by the White House in 2011 through the “Champions of Change Award” as being one of eleven selected from around the country for outstanding work in developing innovative services for victims of domestic violence. Meg recently completed serving six years on the Board of Directors for Violence Free Minnesota.
Directors
KaShon Austin, SHRM-CP, Director of Human Resources
kashona@cornerstonemn.org
KaShon Austin brings ten years of nonprofit Human Resources experience to her Cornerstone role. As an HR professional, she has implemented successful Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and led training and coaching opportunities for staff and other leaders. KaShon has a Human Resources Management Certificate from Inver Hills Community College and is a certified member of the Society for Human Resource Professionals; SHRM-CP.
Courtney Poja, Senior Director of Advancement
Courtneyp@cornerstonemn.org
Courtney Poja served as Cornerstone’s Development Coordinator from 2006-2013. Prior to rejoining Cornerstone in 2015, Courtney served as an Associate Development Officer at the University of Minnesota Law School. She received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. Courtney is a member of the Board of Directors for LegalCORPS.
Colleen Schmitt, Director of Emergency Services/Day One/General Crime Victim Services and Strategic Initiatives
Colleens@cornerstonemn.org
Colleen Schmitt has worked in the field of interpersonal violence for 36 years, in the areas of shelter services, youth, community advocacy, intervention, deaf awareness training, volunteer and community education and building collaborations. Ms. Schmitt has been a Cornerstone management staff member since 2005, now overseeing Day One, VAP and Emergency Services Programs. Colleen is President of National Day One, LLC, a social enterprise wholly owned by Cornerstone, and serves on the ThinkSelf Board of Directors. In 2014, Ms. Schmitt was recognized for Cornerstone’s Social Justice Opening the Door work by the Bloomington Human Rights Commission and in 2017, received the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women’s Inspire Award. She holds a BS in Social Work with a minor in Women’s Studies from the College of St. Catherine.
Jennifer Smith, Senior Director of Finance and Administration
J.smith@cornerstonemn.org
Jennifer Smith has over 26 years of experience working in the accounting and administrative fields and has been with Cornerstone for 24 years. Jennifer has a BS in Accounting from Metropolitan State University and is currently a member of the Nonprofit Financial Group of Minnesota.
