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Interview With Henry L. Meyer III, 2005 United Way Campaign Chairman
Henry Meyer has been Chairman and CEO of KeyCorp since 2001. Mr. Meyer is a leader who is committed to both his company and community, with more than 30 years experience at Key and its predecessors. Mr. Meyer is a lifelong Clevelander.
United Way: You are perhaps one of the most important business leaders in this region and you are devoted to Cleveland, as evidenced by your commitment to United Way. Are you bullish on Cleveland's future prospects?
Henry Meyer: You bet I am. Cleveland is a great town. We have had our ups and downs, but there is life and vibrancy in the city, in some ways more than I have ever seen before. We have incredible people…great, smart people. Cleveland is and will remain my home and I'm very proud of the progress we as a community have made in so many areas. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we collaborate and work together through organizations like United Way.
UW: You must be one of the busiest people around. Running a bank the size of Key is more than a full time job. Yet you have decided to also commit yourself to leading the Greater Cleveland United Way campaign. Why? Or a better question is how do you do it?
HM: It's important to have balance in life. My work for United Way helps to fulfill my need to participate in my community in a meaningful way. United Way is one of the best venues to make a substantial impact in our community. This helps everyone here because it creates a better place for all of us to live in. KeyCorp's slogan is: "Achieve anything." Well, that applies also to United Way…both organizations aspire to help people to achieve their goals and aspirations in life, sometimes against tremendous challenges. So not only does United Way make me feel good about giving back and provide some balance in my life, I know that we are making a positive difference in our community every day through United Way.
UW: Share with us your strategies for this year's campaign.
HM: It starts with incredible people. We have a phenomenal campaign cabinet -- community leaders and volunteers all -- backed by a great team of professionals. They're working hard, they're committed and they're taking advantage of opportunities to extend and expand the campaign. Out front are companies running pacesetter campaigns, including Key. These are early campaigns that lead the way for the community. We also have eight leading Cleveland companies offering challenge grants. These grants increase the impact of each donation. We are off to a great start and we'll continue to run a determined, energetic campaign that benefits the entire community.
UW: Do you think that Greater Clevelanders continue to have the capacity to give as they have in the past? The economy is up slightly, but there are so many challenges….
HM: We have the capacity and I'm convinced we will. I know Cleveland and the incredible commitment of the people here in my hometown to be extremely generous. We have a great message and United Way is a great cause. The need is tremendous…arguably more than ever before. I know our leadership team is inspired and focused on making this year a success.
UW: How is the United Way campaign doing at KeyCorp this year?
HM: You couldn't ask for better people than the people we have at KeyCorp. I am truly proud of them, not only for what they do for Key customers and stakeholders, but for the community. The KeyCorp team has internal events, cookie sales, rummage sales and contests. Key people have made being part of the United Way fun. We've already exceeded our pacesetter goal for this year and I know we're going to surpass the amount raised last year by double digits.
UW: Have you seen an increased need for the services United Way supported programs provide firsthand?
HM: Absolutely. In the past I've visited many of the programs that United Way supports, including those at the Center for Families and Children, United Way's 211/First Call For Help call center and the Cleveland Sight Center, among others. And this year, I've gone out of my way to visit many others. United Way supports more than 130 agencies and 175 programs, both financially and in so many other important ways. United Way changes people's lives, one person at a time. This year more than 400,000 people will be touched by a United Way program. Some of these individuals will be profiled in The Plain Dealer during the campaign, and there are thousands of equally compelling stories of hope and success in Cleveland.
UW: Any other thoughts, Mr. Meyer?
HM: Yes… I hope that every Clevelander will give generously to United Way during this year's campaign. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can make our community a better place for all of us, one person at a time.
UW: Thank you!
Past volunteer interviews:
David W. Whitehead, Strategic Planning Chair
Jim Petsock of UPS
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