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Young Americans Center for Financial Education has partnered with KeyBank in youth financial literacy since 2001. Since that time, more than 383,591 students have participated in hands-on programs that provide “money smarts for life.” In addition to financial contributions, KeyBank supports this mission by providing staff volunteers to work with students in Young AmeriTowne, International Towne, and YouthBiz. KeyBank’s dedication to financial education starts with an executive team who have paved the way for the entire corporation. Today we’re recognizing three KeyBank leaders recognized locally and nationally for their work to promote financial literacy.
Beth Mooney, Chairman and CEO of KeyBank was among three honorees of the 2019 Visionary Awards hosted by the Council for Economic Education. This national organization selected Mooney based on the work she’s done to promote economic and financial literacy to create a better-informed society through leadership at KeyBank. In her acceptance speech, Mooney noted, “But it’s not just about the students. Financial literacy affects their families and communities as a whole. When kids have a strong financial foundation, they are better equipped to make informed decisions that help themselves, their families and their communities thrive. With financial confidence, comes financial security.”
KeyBank Vice President and Corporate Responsibility Officer Debbie Trujillo listens to a YouthBiz StartUp business pitch. The Denver Business Journal awarded Trujillo the Outstanding Women in Business Award in 2019.
Debbie Trujillo, Vice President and Corporate Responsibility Officer for KeyBank in Colorado, Idaho and Utah, was selected a winner in The Denver Business Journal’s 2019 Outstanding Women in Business Award in the “banking & finance” category. Debbie, a native Coloradan and Spanish speaker, started in the banking industry in 1978. Her commitment to financial literacy was evident early on when she noticed Spanish-speaking customers often weren’t comfortable with banking, and sometimes avoided financial institutions all together. To help address this, she spent personal time translating essential documents and opened the door to an entirely new clientele. In her role today, Trujillo has taken her passion for financial literacy into supporting programs for Colorado’s youth such as Young AmeriTowne and YouthBiz.
KeyBank leaders, including Vice President Debbie Trujillo and Senior Vice President Chris Picardi, right, stopped by the smallest KeyBank branch in Young AmeriTowne.
Chris Picardi, Senior Vice President in Commercial Banking at KeyBank was selected as a winner of The Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2020. Chris is a Board Member with Young Americans Center for Financial Education and dedicates his free time to helping underserved youth gain financial literacy. An AmeriTowne alum himself, Chris attributes his current career in banking to his experience in Young AmeriTowne because he says it sparked his interest in finance.
With the support KeyBank and its leaders, the educational programs of Young Americans Center for Financial Education have continued to increase their impact and reach. In 2001, Young AmeriTowne served 13,337 primarily Denver area 5th graders a year. Young AmeriTowne has grown every year since and now reaches 33,602 students a year. KeyBank is also a strong supporter of YouthBiz, an entrepreneurship program. In 2014, 201 aspiring young entrepreneurs turned to Young Americans Center for business help. Today, close to 2,000 students complete the YouthBiz programs each year enabling Colorado youth to create their own successful futures through real-life experiences.
Thank you, KeyBank, for your commitment to financial education!
