Helena Haynes-Carter is KeyBank’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. In this role, Helena is responsible for organizing and aligning strategic priorities, tactics, messaging and operating rhythms for the DE&I space throughout Key and the communities we serve. With experience spanning the healthcare, financial services, energy, and public sector industries, she most recently served as Senior Director, Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion for UnitedHealth Group. In this role, Helena led enterprise-wide DE&I strategic and business initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she orchestrated a $14M response with community-based organizations throughout the U.S., deploying over 30,000 COVID-19 tests, wrap-around services, and care referrals. 

Before that role, Helena was Vice President, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for U.S. Bancorp, where she led enterprise and BIPOC segment strategy as well as DE&I-focused initiatives designed to achieve product growth. U.S. Bancorp achieved its first DiversityInc Top 50 Best Company designation during her tenure. She has also held past roles at organizations including Rocky Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council, Xcel Energy, and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. 

Helena holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing Management from the University of Colorado and an MBA from Hamline University. She is actively involved in several community organizations and industry councils. Currently, She serves on the board of National INROADS, the nation’s largest non-profit source of paid internships for undergraduate, diverse youth. Helena resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, area.