KeyBank market retail leader Elona Shape credits her mother for giving her a passion for helping women in business.

“She's one of those women that continues to inspire me today, but really instilled the value of what women in business or women in leadership bring to the table,” Shape told the CBIA BizCast.

Shape is co-chair of KeyBank’s Key4Women for Connecticut and Massachusetts.

“It’s a program that really helps our women entrepreneurs motivate, empower and advocate around the things that can help their businesses thrive,” she said.

She said it’s important that women in business get the support and guidance they need.

“As women probably more than our male counterparts, you don’t typically go into a bank and say, ‘Hey, I need some advice, I’m starting this new business, this is my vision, this is my business plan, I really need your help,’” Shape said.

KeyBank and Key4Women sponsored When Women Lead, CBIA’s annual women’s leadership summit March 20.

“I love the work that we’ve done,” Shape said. “I think it’s really critical to keep building that up—to help elevate women-owned businesses is going to be critical.”

More information:
KeyBank's Key4Women: https://www.key.com/small-business/services/key4women/overview.html