CORY M. CANNON

It all started when…

As a teenager, he met YCF founder Bryan Bohnert through a church youth group, beginning a friendship and mentorship that would eventually help shape the direction of his career.

In 2010, Bryan recruited Cory to move to St. Louis and take his first step into the world of military contracting. He began simply as a drafter, with little idea at the time where that opportunity would eventually lead. Over the years, Cory continued to challenge himself, seeking out new responsibilities, educational opportunities, and engineering certifications that allowed him to steadily grow beyond where he started. That path eventually led him into management, where he now supports the United States Air Force and travels internationally to work directly with foreign partners around the world.

That experience has given Cory a personal appreciation for what can happen when someone is given an opportunity, encouraged to pursue it, and surrounded by people willing to invest in their potential. What began as an entry-level drafting position ultimately developed into a career supporting complex Department of Defense programs and working alongside government and international partners.

It is that same belief in opportunity and mentorship that draws Cory to the mission of the You Can Foundation. He understands that a person’s starting point does not have to determine where they finish, and that sometimes a single relationship, opportunity, or person willing to say “you can” can completely change the direction of a life.

Cory believes strongly in the idea of being “blessed to be a blessing.” Having benefited from the encouragement, mentorship, and opportunities others provided him along the way, he sees serving on the YCF Board as an opportunity to give that same support back to others. His hope is to help open doors, provide guidance, and encourage young people to recognize that their circumstances do not have to define their future.