Whitney Knutson

“As the Director of First Impressions, I help ensure clients feel Cornerstone’s mission and vision from the moment they walk in the door.”

My faith and learning about Jesus as a servant leader has shaped how I show up for others, and that’s why I was drawn to Cornerstone. It was clear this isn’t just a job, it’s a place where people matter. As Director of First Impressions, I see every detail as a chance to show the #CornerstoneCommunity they’re family, helping them feel welcomed, valued, and part of something bigger than themselves.

Over the years, I’ve had a few outstanding experiences where the care and service I received stayed with me  – a dining experience that left me feeling like I was the most important in the room, a fast-food drive thru worker who went above and beyond for my family, customer service on a phone call that blew me away. I try to offer that same care to everyone I meet. Throughout my career my goal has always been to show people they matter and they’re part of something bigger than themselves. And that’s what we do at Cornerstone.

Whitney lives in Huron with her husband, their youngest son, Asher,  and their blue heeler, Gigi. They have four adult children who live in various cities around South Dakota.

Brief work history/most recent job held prior to Cornerstone:
I worked as a civilian for the Department of Defense, advancing from a Commander’s Secretary to a Protocol Specialist, then to an Acquisition Program Manager. After the DoD I worked for Community Counseling Services as the IMPACT Program Director, where I led a team of eleven individuals to meet the needs of over forty clients.

Education:
Liberty University, Lynchburg VA
•  Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling, Life Coaching emphasis
•  Bachelor of Science in Religion, Christian Counseling minor
•  Associates of Interdisciplinary Studies

Defense Acquisition University: AMP Certification (Program Manager Certificate)