Staff Info & Contacts

Chris Palmer
Executive Director
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Chris has been the Executive Director of Cornerstone since 2013 and has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kansas. Previously, Chris worked for several years in commercial real estate and property management.

Chris manages all day to day activities of Cornerstone and reports to its board of directors. Chris is responsible for developing new construction andrehabilitation housing projects to ensure the long-term health of the Cornerstone housing stock. Chris is a certified Housing Compliance Manager, received training in the HUD HOME rule, completed KHRC’s Property Management Training and has completed the NAHMA’s Fair Housing Compliance Course.

In his spare time, Chris is a USA Swimming Official, has served on several community boards, enjoys his saltwater aquarium, KU Sports and spending time with his wife and three sons.

Cola White
Finance Manager
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Cola has been finance manager/office manager for Cornerstone since December 2022 and has several years of experience in property management. Cola’s day to day responsibilities include AR, AP, Setting Rents, Payroll and office manager duties. 

Cola manages the financial aspects and reporting requirements of  Cornerstone of Topeka, Inc. and Cornerstone Apartments, LP; Cola is also responsible for communicating with our tenants who are experiencing financial difficulties and helping them utilize resources to help them through hard times.

In her spare time, Cola enjoys spending time with her fiance, children and best friend.  She also loves to travel.

Melissa Warrington
Executive Assistant
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Melissa has been with Cornerstone since 2015.  Melissa is the first face people see and the first voice people hear when they encounter Cornerstone of Topeka and she always has a smile in her voice. Melissa is the traffic cop for much of what happens in the office. She takes and creates a file for all new prospective tenants, takes and distributes work orders, takes minutes at committee meetings, plans and organizes our annual fundraising event as well as a host of other tasks integral to an effective work environment. Melissa also publishes our quarterly tenant newsletter, maintains our website and most recently became the in house system administrator for Rent Manager.

In her free time Melissa likes tap into her creative side with drawing/painting.  She also loves a good historical biography.

Dora Coronel
Housing Director
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Dora has been with Cornerstone since 2012 and prior to joining Cornerstone worked for 5 years in the Shelter Plus Care program within the City of Topeka’s department of Housing and Neighborhood Development.  Dora screens tenants, maintains our tenant files while complying with standards from several different agencies.  She is also bilingual which helps with our tenants and prospective tenants.  Dora is a Certified Housing Compliance Manager and has completed several courses and seminars on HOME rule compliance and fair housing.  She has also completed coursework in HQS and Lead Based Paint Visual Assessment. 

Dora is always taking advantages of continuing education opportunities in the industry.  It is fun to watch many of the children of our tenants in the Homeless Housing Program run up to see her at our annual Christmas Party yelling, Miss Dora!  Miss Dora! 

When she isn’t busy with Cornerstone business, Dora likes to cook, watch her sons play football and being the best Nana to her two grandsons.

Jerry Yoder
Facilities Manager

Jerry has been with Cornerstone since 1999 and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and a Master’s Degree in Regional and Community Planning from Kansas State University.  Jerry maintains our properties, ensures that all tenants have decent and safe homes and when there is a problem that we fix it promptly.  Jerry has received certification on RRP Lead-Safe Work Practices and takes advantage of any educational opportunities available in construction or compliance. 

As well as maintaining our properties, Jerry also works with the Executive Director in preparing proposals for building projects including creating the designs and layouts including cost estimates.  Jerry also supervises a full-time maintenance worker. 

In his spare time Jerry enjoys woodworking and tinkering with electronics.  He is also very involved with Southern Hills Mennonite Church.

Carlos has worked with Cornerstone since 2019 as a contracted cleaning service. As of December 2022, he joined Cornerstone as the new maintenance technician.

If you know Carlos, he always has a smile on his face and loves to make those around him smile.

In his spare time, Carlos loves to cook and spend time with his sons.