KeyBank names Sampson director of Key4Women

KeyBank, a unit of KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY), recently announced it has ppointed Rachael Sampson as senior VP and director of its Key4Women program. 

Sampson will lead a nationwide network to promote and support women business owners and clients in seeking growth. She has been with KeyBank for 15 years and previously served as relationship manager of commercial banking for KeyBank’s Cincinnati market.

“Rachael understands the importance of what it means to be a relationship-driven bank and how we can work with our clients to empower them,” Tony Amador, leader of KeyBank’s consumer health care and alternative channel, said in a release. “She’s going to bring that vision and skill set to Key4Women as we grow this network and find new ways to help women-owned businesses during these challenging times.”

The bank contends that Sampson’s experience has prepared her for the challenges women business owners are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Key4Women’s Confidence Survey finds the coronavirus crisis “has created an incredible amount of strain for women business owners.” In two years, the survey has found a 22 percent drop among respondents who say they are confident in their personal finances and in the future, along with a 23 percent drop among those owners regarding the confidence in the financial health of their business. One in three women now have low optimism that they will achieve their business goals in the next year, per the release.

“Key4Women is an avenue of growth and advice for so many women business owners and leaders. As a relationship-based bank, we want to be a partner in helping our clients use every tool possible, while knowing exactly what best fits their business and goals,” said Sampson, who has nearly 20 years of banking experience, ranging from commercial banking to loan-operations management, compliance, and credit.

KeyBank started Key4Women in 2005. The free program offers women business owners and leaders “committed advisors to help guide them on their financial journeys, networking events and educational opportunities, research and resources, and access to capital,” the bank said.

“When I joined KeyBank 15 years ago, Key4Women was less than a year old. While the complimentary program has grown exponentially, helping to generate more than $12 billion in loans granted to women-owned business since then, our goal remains consistent — to advocate, connect and empower women-owned businesses and leaders so they can thrive. I know we can keep that momentum going, no matter what we face,” said Sampson.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Thomas More University and is working toward an MBA degree from the University of Cincinnati.

Cleveland, Ohio–based KeyCorp’s roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. KeyBank is the second-largest bank in the 16-county Central New York region, ranked by deposits, according to the latest FDIC statistics.