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In this episode, Key4Women Director Barb Smith is joined by Nitra Rucker, KeyBank's Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Engagement Manager. They talk about what Key is doing to support DE&I in the workplace and in the communities we serve. You'll also hear about some of the ways you can support your employees and colleagues. And to help you further explore this topic, Nitra shares a few of her favorite books and podcasts. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today.

In this episode, Key4Women Director Barb Smith talks with Gretchen Miller, Senior Client Experience Manager, and Tina Myers, Senior Financial Planner with our Key Private Bank team. They'll identify the risks, including volatility, inflation and long-term care, that could impact the savings you've worked a lifetime to accrue. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today.

In this episode, Key4Women Director Barb Smith is joined by Nancy Anderson and Racquel Tibbetts, Regional Financial Planning Strategists with Key Private Bank. Together, they’ll explore the importance of early retirement planning for women and the actions you can take to define your retirement goals and plan. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today.

So, what does it take to become a certified women-owned business? Why is this certification important? And how can you use this certification to your advantage? Key4Women Director Barb Smith uncovers the answers to these questions and more in the latest episode of our Women-Owned Wednesday podcast. You’ll hear from Sheila Mixon, executive director, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Ohio River Valley; Gabrielle Christman, president & chief executive officer, Hunter International Recruiting; and Camille Bragg, vice president of KeyBank’s Supplier Diversity program. Tune in! Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today.

This year marks an exciting milestone for Key4Women® – our 15th anniversary. Since 2005, we have helped business women reach their financial goals with access to capital, advocacy, connections, and empowerment. We’ve supported women in their efforts to bridge both the gender and economic gaps they face. And we couldn’t be prouder of the success stories of the amazing women in our network. Through these years, we’ve also been fortunate firsthand witnesses to the progress made by many of our female colleagues in leadership positions, including Beth Mooney’s rise to KeyCorp chairwoman and CEO. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today.

While progress has been made, the gender wage gap isn’t going away any time soon. According to The World Economic Forum,* gender parity will take more than 200 years from now to achieve. That’s why it’s more important than ever for women to master their finances now. Research and education can help you take steps to bridge the gap. From knowing your worth and how to negotiate it to working with a financial advisor, knowledge is power. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today. * World Economic Forum. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2018.pdf.

Companies that solicit feedback and advice from their customers – and apply it to their business – are more successful. According to research by Deloitte*, client-centric companies are 60% more profitable than companies not focused on the customer. At the heart of this customer focus is human-centered design (HCD). HCD is a process that starts with the customers you serve and ends with new solutions that are focused on their needs. In this episode of our Women-Owned Wednesday podcast, Key4Women® Director Barb Smith talks with Justin Hunsaker, senior vice president of KeyBank’s omnichannel originations, about how to make your customer the focal point of your business. They also share resources you can easily access to help get your business started. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today. *Deloitte. "Wealth Management Digitalization changes client advisory more than ever before." September 2017.

Whether it’s for the start-up or growth phase, most businesses need to borrow money. For women trying to launch, scale, or grow their business, access to capital continues to be a hurdle. In fact, only 31% of women who sought funding for their business were successful, according to a recent survey by SCORE. But don’t let that stark statistic deter you from actively seeking capital. In this episode of our Women-Owned Wednesday podcast, Key4Women Director Barb Smith talks with KeyBank experts Mike Van Vierzen, senior SBA sales representative; Nicole M Vogt, vice president, business banking relationship manager; and Lorie Spinks, branch manager, about the tools and resources available to you. And the steps you can take to better position yourself to receive funding. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today.

We’ve all seen the cyber-attack headlines. When large corporations, retailers and service providers suffer a data breach, it exposes them to costly customer, legal and business ramifications. Incidents of cyber-attacks are expected to rise in 2019 and, regardless of the size of your business, you are at risk. The good news is, there are immediate actions you can take to mitigate your risk and strengthen your business cyber security strategy. Find out how in our first Women Owned Wednesday Podcast. KeyCorp Chief Information Officer Amy Brady and Key4Women Director Barb Smith discuss the steps you can take today to help better protect your business from a cyber-attack. Visit key.com to see cybersecurity resources available for you and your business. Not a Key4Women member? Visit key.com/women to join today.