Profile: Justin Bibb

Meet Justin Bibb. Vice President, Corporate Strategy at KeyCorp.

Name: Justin Bibb

Current Job: Vice President, Corporate Strategy at KeyCorp.

Current City: Cleveland

Hometown: Cleveland

Q: What is it that you do at KeyCorp? 
KeyCorp is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies in the U.S. with 17,000+ employees and total assets of $145B. My team advises executives across Key on strategy development, competitive intelligence and all aspects of M&A transaction identification, evaluation, and execution.

Q: What’s a problem that you are working to solve? 
I currently serve on the Board of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (“GCRTA”). Working with senior management, we recently launched a new Technology and Innovation Committee to identify ways we can to leverage advanced analytics and civic tech to improve the rider experience.

One of our big priorities this year was to live-stream our monthly Board Meetings to allow for greater transparency and broader awareness of the daily operations of GCRTA. The recent events surrounding COVID-19 forced us to accelerate this effort and just last month we were able to live-stream our first Board meeting, reaching over 1,200 viewers across the region.

Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that has helped shaped your work? 
Don’t be afraid to fail. One of the biggest challenges facing Cleveland is our inability to embrace more risk takers. We have to change our relationship with risk to truly ensure we are creating an ecosystem that supports emerging entrepreneurs throughout their development. We have to have a sense of urgency around this issue.

Q: What’s a trend in technology or innovation that you believe doesn’t get enough attention? 
The growing need for digitizing government services. As we continue to grapple with COVID-19, states and local governments will be forced to reimagine how they design and deliver government services in an equitable, people-centric way.  

Q: What’s one moonshot idea that could help make Ohio a world leader in technology and innovation? 
Access to affordable broadband for every resident. From applying to a job to being able to have your children do their homework, having access to the internet is an essential tool to complete in today’s digital economy. Eradicating digital redlining is essential for Ohio to achieve its true economic potential.

Q: What’s a recent book, podcast or news story that you found interesting? 
The Next American City: The Big Promise of Our Midsize Metros. Great book by former Oklahoma City Mayor, Mick Cornett, highlighting the power that intentional collaboration can have in transforming cities like Cleveland.

Q: What's your favorite place in Ohio? 
The front booth by the window at Yours Truly in Downtown Cleveland. Nothing better to me than a quiet Saturday morning reading the weekend newspapers over breakfast.

Q: What makes Ohio special to you?  
The geographic diversity of the state. I love being able to drive to different urban and rural centers all within a short drive. Ohio is a true microcosm of America and I’m happy to call it home.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn.