Debbie Trujillo

Vice president, Hispanic and Key @ Work Program manager, KeyBank

• First job: bank teller

Trujillo's banking career started in 1979 after she returned to Colorado from attending school in Mexico and took a job with Columbia Savings in Northglenn.

"I'm bilingual, and I'm sure they realized I could help with Spanish-speaking customers," she said. "I was responsible for deposits, withdrawals and balancing at night. I really enjoyed interacting with the customers. The position motivated me to want to do more within the banking system."

Trujillo said her biggest challenge was moving up quickly, even though she wanted more responsibility.

"There was very little turnover. My co-workers loved their jobs, too."