Change is important. The world is changing around us every day. You need to be innovative, collaborative and open to new ways of doing things. Don’t be afraid to take balanced risks because it’s okay to fail ... it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. We need to think outside the box. Don’t be afraid of change – change keeps you fresh.

Falling into place. Born in Louisville, Kentucky and growing up in Minneapolis, Key moved to Georgia to pursue an opportunity at IBM that launched her career in technology. I didn’t know that was what I wanted to do, but my parents got relocated to Atlanta and their neighbor mentioned that IBM was looking for students and co-ops. My dad told me to apply. I did and I got hired. So I moved to Atlanta, started grad school at Georgia State University and started as a co-op student at IBM.

Following the path. Most paths encounter a fork, but Key always knew the direction she wanted to go. I’m focused and passionate, so I was clear on my journey and intent on the things I wanted to accomplish. I knew early on that I wanted to be in business, ultimately as the CEO of an organization. As a mother, along the journey I made the decision to leave corporate America - and the associated hustle and bustle and travel - to be a more engaged parent. I rerouted my path – that’s when I went into the non-profit world and accomplished my dream.

Motivated to help others succeed. I help small businesses grow. Every single day when my feet hit the floor, I’m excited – there’s something new, something different. There’s nothing greater than seeing a $1 million dollar business grow into a $10 or $50 or $100 million business. I get to see that every single day. That motivates me, inspires me and encourages me to do what I do. There is nothing better.

Infected with the bug. Key caught the transportation bug from a friend who worked in the industry years ago. My friend and I would always talk about transportation programs and initiatives. Then I was approached to help with a local SPLOST initiative. I got involved with education and engagement efforts targeting small businesses. As a result of the success, the bug took over and I jumped at the chance to represent the Fifth Congressional District on the State Transportation Board.

Family foundations. Younger generations are the future of our nation and investing in their success is important to Key. My family started a foundation in my father’s name at his alma mater - the Dunwoody College of Technology, formerly the Dunwoody Institute, in Minneapolis - to support young, budding engineers. We also established a scholarship in my late sister’s name at the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia.

Once in a blue moon. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, Key knows how to kick back and relax. I like to cook, although I don’t get the opportunity to do it as often as I’d like. My signature is my mac and cheese, which my family loves. Most of my free time is spent with family and friends and the people I love, watching football or vegging on the couch, which is rare – but awesome!

Why the caged bird sings. You can learn a lot about a person from the people they look up to. I admire Maya Angelou – her elegance, her grace and her ability to change the narrative with her words. She had an aptitude to reshape certain aspects of how we think based on her writing. She brought people together – a collaborator, a unifier. Her words were calming and comforting.