KeyBank's Key4Women Announces 2007 National Advisory Board Members

CLEVELAND, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Key4Women, KeyBank's women- owned business banking program, today announced the members of its 2007 National Advisory Board. Established in 2006, this consultative group will continue to help inform and enhance Key4Women's commitment to providing the highest-quality financial solutions, educational offerings, networking opportunities and customized services to women-owned businesses.

This year's National Advisory Board members represent a cross spectrum of renowned experts in policy, advocacy and research on small business and businesswomen. Returning members include, among others, Melanie Sabelhaus, Former Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Dr. Marsha Firestone, President and Founder of the Women Presidents' Organization; and Dr. Sharon G. Hadary, Executive Director of the Center for Women's Business Research. They will be joined by 14 women business owners from a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, construction, healthcare and retail, who will contribute real-world experience and insight from running their own successful companies to the Board. This year, for the first time, the Board's women business owner representatives have been drawn from across the country, rather than exclusively from Ohio.

Key4Women's National Advisory Board will continue to convene biannually in Cleveland, Ohio to examine the most critical issues facing women business owners today and to identify the financial resources, banking services and educational opportunities that would be of greatest benefit to this rapidly growing segment of the economy.

Maria Coyne, Executive Vice President, Key4Women, said, "Key4Women is delighted to welcome our new and returning members of the 2007 National Advisory Board, and we look forward to working together closely to enhance the opportunities and resources available to women business owners around the country. Given KeyBank's recent pledge to provide $2 billion in capital to women-owned businesses over the next five years, this Board will play an invaluable role in helping ensure that all of our offerings and resources for women are as useful and effective as possible in helping them grow their businesses."

As one of the nation's largest financial services companies and top small business lenders, Key currently provides financial services to women-owned businesses across 13 states. As part of its ongoing commitment to this group, KeyBank recently announced that it has provided more than $1 billion in capital to qualified women-owned businesses through its Key4Women program, fulfilling its 2005 pledge to lend $1 billion to women-owned firms by February of 2008 nearly a year ahead of schedule. KeyBank has also pledged to continue supporting the success of women-owned businesses by providing another $2 billion in capital for this group over the next five years.

Members of the 2007 Key4Women National Advisory Board include: Marri Aviza, Owner Rumors Salon & Day Spa in Latham, NY Andi Bailey, Vice President and CFO Alliance Nursing in Woodinville, WA Susan Boren, President and CEO Earthwalk Orthotics, Inc. in Canton, OH Danielle Buenaventura, Owner WJL Equities in Eastchester, NY Jennifer Coleman, President Jennifer Coleman Creative LLC/City Prowl in Cleveland, OH Dr. Marsha Firestone, President and Founder Women Presidents' Organization in New York, NY Joan Coffman First, Executive Vice President Lang Stone Company in Columbus, OH Deann Geary, President, CEO, CFO Geary Construction in Coalville, UT Dr. Sharon G. Hadary, Executive Director Center for Women's Business Research in Washington, DC Constance Hill-Johnson, Owner/Managing Director Visiting Angels in Cleveland, OH Betsy Hoaglund, Owner Sage Telecommunications Corporation in Commerce City, CO Loretta Kaminsky, Assistant Director Women's Business Center in Williamsville, NY Laurie Leichty, President Contemporary Personnel Staffing & Professionals Incorporated in Liverpool, NY Melanie Sabelhaus Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Former SBA Deputy Administrator Owings Mills, MD Kat Schon, Owner and President Portland Store Fixtures in Portland, OR Kara Trott, President and CEO Quantum Health in Columbus, OH Bertha (Betty) Villanueva , President Indian Hills Senior Community, Inc. in Euclid, OH Facilitated by: Jeanne Coughlin, President The Coughlin Group, Inc. Cleveland, OH About Key4Women

Key4Women, a unique program launched by KeyBank, helps women business owners by providing them access to capital; customized service; financial tools and relevant networks, and underscores Key's support of causes and activities that matter most to women. Learn more about Key4Women at https://www.key.com/women

About KeyCorp

Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank- based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $93 billion. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/.