Honorees
For more than 185 years, Key has been a valued and integral member of our community and a driving force in the enhancement of the quality of life in the Capital Region. From providing financial services and financial education to helping small businesses launch and large businesses thrive, Key has supported this region's economic engine. Beyond that, Key has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to our nonprofit sector by making significant charitable contributions; maintaining a culture that encourages employees to devote their time and talent;to volunteer opportunities, including service on more than 130 local boards; underwriting programs and sponsoring events; and honoring employee goodwill through; its Community Leadership Grant; Program and Matching Charitable Gifts Program. Key has also demonstrated a deep-rooted commitment to community-based lending initiatives that transform our community by financing programs that create and retain jobs. KeyBank has been a generous sponsor to Excelsior’s scholarship fund benefiting many students in the Capital Region.
Karen R. Hitchcock, PhD Karen R. Hitchcock, PhD
Karen R. Hitchcock, PhD, special advisor, Park Strategies LLC, has had a distinguished career as an educator, research scientist, and university administrator. From 1996 to 2004, she was president of the University at Albany, State University of New York. She went on to serve as principal and vice chancellor of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, from 2004 to 2008.
Known as an innovator and coalition builder, Dr. Hitchcock has long been committed to fostering university-business-government partnerships to advance research, enhance the quality of education, and foster economic development. Aligning the research strengths of the University at Albany with the needs and priorities of the Capital Region, the state, and the nation led to major developments in nanotechnology, and health and environmental sciences.
She has served on the boards of civic and educational organizations in the Capital Region, including her current membership on the boards of WMHT, Albany Pro Musica, and The Doane Stuart School.
