Who
What
Drake has been named as one of Birmingham Business Journal’s 2025 Top Birmingham Women. The annual awards highlight women who have established themselves as key leaders in their companies or organizations and have reached career pinnacles. The women were recognized at the annual Women’s Summit on Sept. 26.
Why
Drake manages a team of more than 130 associates spanning all disciplines within the Marketing and Communications arena. She leads brand, marketing, corporate communications and associate communications strategy across Regions’ 15-state footprint throughout the Southeast, Midwest and Texas. Drake joined Regions in 2020 as Chief Communications Officer and within the first few months of her tenure, she energized associates within her department and across the bank by introducing new and refreshed communication campaigns and channels to deepen human connections and support the company’s culture.
In 2023, her role expanded when she was tapped to lead the bank’s Corporate Marketing function as well. The integrated Marketing and Communications function provides a seamless, 360-degree approach to communicating with customers, prospects, communities and other stakeholders. The result is more message consistency, streamlined content production and community connections. Drake is keenly focused on people and places a strong emphasis on both developing existing talent and recruiting new talent to the bank. This combination of tenured associates with deep knowledge of banking and fresh faces with new perspectives and experiences is positioning Regions for success, today and in the future. In addition to her leadership role at Regions, Drake is actively engaged in the community, having served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Central Alabama and chaired the American Heart Association’s 2022 Go Red for Women Campaign in Birmingham.
In Their Own Words
When asked by the BBJ about her secret for success in the workplace, Drake said, “My career has been shaped by three things: curiosity, courage and connection. Curiosity led me to raise my hand for roles I didn’t yet know how to do. Courage helped me take on challenges in prior roles like leading communications for M&A deals or guiding teams through large-scale change. And a propensity for authentic connection has helped me champion teammates and seek wise advice and guidance.”
Drake is excited about new opportunities in the Birmingham business environment, saying, “The economic development happening in Birmingham right now is creating many pathways and unique opportunities for people and businesses to thrive. The small-business ecosystem in particular is one that prizes local innovation, and it is great to see the support for entrepreneurs and business leaders who bring strong ideas to the table. There are too many nonprofits and community partners to name, but I’m so impressed with the resources and tools that are here for professionals to leverage in building business and career success.”
Her most impactful advice? “Own your story. Share the wins and the struggles. Those experiences are your greatest strength. When you lead with transparency and use your influence to open doors for others, you not only build your career, you also help change the workplace for the better.”
Read Drake’s full profile on Birmingham Business Journal’s Women of Influence page.
Who
What
Key was named by the Birmingham Business Journal as a 2025 Woman To Watch. These annual awards highlight women who have emerged as key leaders in their companies or organizations, have potential to shape the future of Birmingham’s business world and are primed to make a significant impact in the Birmingham business community.
Why
In 2023, Key joined Regions to lead an effort to support small businesses in Birmingham. After two years of intense research and collaboration with small business owners and community and civic leaders, Key established the Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence. This independent nonprofit will provide connectivity to tools, training, tactics and experienced professionals to help locally owned businesses build on their success. The entrepreneurship center will connect entrepreneurs with advice and guidance and will serve entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and any neighborhood around the Magic City, including neighborhoods that historically have had fewer catalysts for economic growth. Key serves as a Regions loaned executive for the ECGE, providing leadership and strategic direction as the nonprofit evolves. She has worked closely with the City of Birmingham and continues to collaborate with community partners to secure private and public grant funding to support this effort.
Active in the community, Key is a member of the Board of Advisors for both the Vanderbilt University Law School and the University of Alabama Division of Community Affairs. She serves on the New Markets Tax Credit Advisory Board for Habitat for Humanity International and the boards of Hope Enterprise Corporation, Woodlawn United, and Jones Valley Teaching Farm.
In Their Own Words
When asked about her drive for success, Key said, “My desire to succeed has never been about striving for striving’s sake, but about honoring the opportunities I have been given, applying my abilities with intention and contributing to something that creates lasting impact.”
Reflecting on moments that have shaped her career, she said, “Throughout my career, I have been very fortunate to meet good people who have recognized my potential and provided opportunities. Across industries and roles, these moments have formed a career that I could not have predicted yet one that consistently leads me toward work that impacts the people and communities I care about most. I have come to see this not as coincidence, but as part of a greater design — one that continues to unfold in ways that both humble and inspire me.”
Read Key’s full profile on Birmingham Business Journal’s Women of Influence page.