HU Alumna, Corporate Leader to Speak at Founder's Day

Hampton, VA - Hampton University will welcome Margot James Copeland, executive vice president at KeyCorp, as its 115th Annual Founder's Day speaker on Jan. 27 at 11:30 a.m. in Ogden Hall.

HU President Dr. William R. Harvey will present the President's Citizenship award to the Honorable Kay Cole James, founder and president of the Gloucester Institute, and Carol Capó, assistant editor of the editorial page at The Daily Press, at the Founder's Day Ceremony.

Founder's Day activities also will include the commemorative wreath placing ceremony at the gravesite of the University's founder, Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, in the Hampton University Cemetery at 9:30 a.m.

Copeland is the executive vice president - director, corporate diversity & philanthropy and an executive council member at KeyCorp, one of the nation’s largest bank-based multiline financial services companies. In her role, Copeland also serves as chair of the Key Foundation, guiding the company’s strategic philanthropic investment, financial education and workforce development programs that encourage people and communities to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Recognizing that business and community prosperity go hand in hand, Copeland leads Key’s commitment to transforming and sustaining communities. She currently serves as trustee of the Thomas White Foundation; Kenneth Scott Foundation; The Great Lakes Museum of Science, Environment and Technology; University Hospitals Health System; and Playhouse Square Foundation.

Additionally, she is Mentor/Protégé Program Advisor for Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia); and a member of the Presidents and the Business School Advisory boards at Hampton University. She is also an Honorary Board Member of the Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center (Cincinnati, Ohio). Copeland was most recently elected National Vice President of The Links, Incorporated (Washington D.C.).

Among her many distinguished awards and honors, Copeland is the 2006 Black Professional of the Year as recognized by Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation. She is also one of the “Top 100 Blacks in Corporate America" as recognized by national publication, Black Professionals magazine. Copeland is one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Cleveland," as named by New Cleveland Woman magazine, and a “Cleveland Woman of Influence,” as named by Crain’s Cleveland Business. Copeland is also recognized as a “Master Innovator” by Smart Business Network magazine.

Copeland received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Hampton University, where she has received the university’s distinguished Alumni Award, and a Master of Arts degree in educational research and statistics from The Ohio State University.