On June 12, KeyCorp CEO Beth Mooney, the first female CEO of a major bank, along with more than 150 other CEOs of major corporations, signed on to a pledge to increase diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Her participation in the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge is a natural step for KeyBank, affirming the belief we have long held that an open, diverse and inclusive company culture is better for business and for our communities.

Today, we live in a society that in many ways has made tremendous strides toward inclusion, yet there remains much to be done. This pledge provides a path that we hope many more businesses will follow.

The pledge focuses on creating a workplace environment where individuals can share perspectives and experiences and be treated with respect and compassion. When we consider the changing faces of today’s workforce, it is clear that the best way forward for all of us is a workplace that embraces our differences and encourages open dialogue – and discourages intolerance.

Each company that has participated in this pledge has established programs and initiatives around diversity and inclusion. At KeyBank, our diversity initiatives have won numerous accolades from DiversityInc, a publication on diversity in the workplace. KeyBank has received top scores from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, and has been recognized by GI Jobs for its efforts in hiring and supporting veterans.

By sharing, and learning, we can all become better citizens. We will be able to better serve our communities and our employees, and this will in turn benefit society as a whole.

I encourage other Maine businesses to recognize the importance of increased diversity and inclusion and rise to meet these challenges with this pledge. I know we will continue to seek out new ways to promote diversity, operate inclusively and be responsible, respectful members of our communities.

Sterling Kozlowski

Maine market president, KeyBank

Falmouth