When Mooney took over Key in 2011, she became the first female CEO of a major American banking company.
Since then the bank’s share prices and profits have risen, it received an “outstanding” rating from regulators, and 18-million dollars have been donated to charity just within the last year.
Those factors all contributed to American Banker’s decision to bestow the honor on Mooney.
But magazine editor Alan Kline says it’s also Mooney’s commitment to diversity--more than a third of Key’s leadership team is made up of females and minorities—and, he says, her leadership style that sets her apart.
"She’s very, very collaborative," said Kline. "She’s definitely not a 'my way or the highway' person. She’s thoughtful, and she wants to hear a lot of points of view.”
Earlier this month, Mooney also appeared on Fortune's list of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business."