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Bonnie Cordon on Saying Yes, Showing Up, and Living a Life of Faith
From scared 10-year-old to mission president and university leader—Bonnie’s story is about courage, kindness, and moving forward without having it all figured out.
Casey Baugh
May 7th, 2025
The Power of Believing in People (Including Yourself)
In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Bonnie Cordon—educator, former Young Women General President, and now president of Southern Virginia University—to talk about what it really means to live a life of influence, faith, and leadership.
This conversation is filled with laughter, lessons, and raw moments that trace Bonnie’s story from a chicken coop in Idaho Falls to church headquarters in Salt Lake City. It’s not a highlight reel. It’s a story of grace, grit, and quiet courage.
When Kindness Changes Everything
As a young girl, Bonnie was terrified to feed the chickens at night. But one act of kindness—from an apostle who walked her into the dark—changed the story.
Later, when she was 17, she applied for a job she wasn’t qualified for and was told no... for three weeks. But she kept calling. And one kind administrator put her name on the list.
That one small decision changed the entire trajectory of Bonnie’s career—and life.
“Persistence got me to the door. But kindness opened it.”
Leadership Isn’t a Title—It’s Influence
Bonnie built a career at Oracle. She was thriving. But something shifted. She and her husband decided it was time for one of them to be home—and Bonnie made the leap.
It wasn’t easy. But it redefined her view of leadership.
“Before, I was focused on accounts. Now, I wanted to build people.”
She started investing in her kids, her community, and her circle of influence. And what started with playdates and parent councils eventually led to mission leadership, global church service, and a new season of impact at SVU.
Why Faith Means Saying Yes (Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense)
Bonnie never planned to be a mission president’s wife. Or a general leader. Or a university president.
She just said yes. Over and over again.
Yes to a mission call at 17
Yes to opportunities that scared her
Yes to leadership she didn’t feel qualified for
And through it all, she learned to trust the Lord, even when it didn’t make sense.
P.S. If you connected with this one, you’ll love our recent episode with Corinne Stokoe—on faith, grit, and building a business from scratch. watch it here.