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Marissa Brydle, Sustainability Director at KeyBank, did not study sustainability in school. After 13 years at sustainability consultancy Brown Flynn and a stint at steel producer Cleveland Cliffs, she landed at one of America's oldest banks. KeyBank remains the #2 renewables financier and #2 affordable housing financier in the U.S., deploying $20 billion toward their $38 billion sustainable finance goal. "It doesn't make good business sense to not do these things," Marissa explains. How does a 200-year-old institution navigate political headwinds while maintaining unwavering climate commitments? And what's next for engaging 17,000 employees across 15 states?

Marissa Brydle is Sustainability Director at KeyBank, where she leads climate strategy, disclosure, and sustainable finance initiatives for the 200-year-old institution. She began her career at sustainability consultancy Brown Flynn, spending 13 years building expertise across industries before moving to Cleveland Cliffs, a major North American steel producer. There, she discovered steel's critical role in the low-carbon transition. At KeyBank, Marissa oversees the bank's $38 billion sustainable finance commitment, carbon neutrality goals, and climate risk management. She's passionate about engaging KeyBank's 17,000 employees across 15 states to integrate sustainability into daily operations and decision-making.

In This Episode: 

(00:00) Marissa's unconventional path from communications to sustainability consulting

(07:30) Transitioning from Cleveland Cliffs steel to KeyBank sustainability role 

(13:40) KeyBank's 200-year history and resilience through market shifts 

(15:41) Sustainable finance commitments despite political headwinds and climate disclosure 

(23:28) Employee engagement and walking the talk on sustainability

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About the show: 
The Age of Adoption podcast explores the monumental transition from a period of social, economic, and environmental research and exploration – an Age of Innovation – to today's world in which companies across the economy are furiously deploying sustainable solutions – the Age of Adoption. Listen as our host, Keith Zakheim, CEO of Antenna Group, talks with experts from across the climate, energy, health, and real estate sectors to discuss what the transition means for business and society, and how corporates and startups can rise above competitors to lead in this new age. 

This podcast is brought to you by Antenna Group, a global marketing and communications agency that partners with Fully Conscious brands — those with the courage to lead transformative change across Climate & Energy, Real Estate, Health, and beyond. Our clients include visionary corporations, startups, investors, and nonprofits who recognize that meaningful impact requires more than awareness; it demands bold action. In today's Age of Adoption, where every sector must incorporate sustainable solutions into foundational systems, we amplify brands standing at the forefront of change, shaping a better future for our planet and its people. To learn more, visit antennagroup.com.

Resources:
Marissa Brydle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-b-32560a16/
KeyBank: https://www.key.com/personal/index.html
Antenna Group
Keith Zakheim LinkedIn