Louise Kelly devised the unusual business model for EnerBank USA and had to fight to put it into practice. Selling her idea to CMS Energy proved to be pivotal.

In a career filled with difficult assignments, Jane Fraser tackles perhaps her biggest challenge yet as Citigroup's CEO of Latin America.

Kathy Rogers, a 27-year veteran of U.S. Bancorp, is now a member of its management committee following her January promotion to CFO.

A successful run heading retail at Zions' lead bank has earned LeeAnne Linderman a higher-profile job and a seat on the company's management committee.

Fifth Third Mortgage has a ways to go to become one of the industry's biggest lenders, but it's making major strides under Michelle Van Dyke's leadership.

KeyCorp has more than doubled its mobile traffic, sharply reduced its overhead, and improved its cybersecurity, with help from its chief information officer, Amy Brady.

Stacey Friedman's big job at the nation's largest bank is about to get a lot bigger. Early next year she takes over as general counsel for all of JPMorgan Chase, replacing Stephen Cutler, who will become a vice chairman.

PNC's Diana Reid runs a business line that ranks among the top 10 commercial real estate lenders in the country, with more than $30 billion of loans outstanding.

Ally Bank is an online deposit-gathering powerhouse that aspires to be more well rounded. New CEO Diane Morais is charged with leading that transformation, which will include adding loan products and successfully cross-selling them to depositors.

Janet Garufis runs the largest community bank in the affluent and highly competitive California counties of Santa Barbara and Ventura. She also runs marathons.

Thasunda Duckett overcame doubts about accepting a promotion while raising two small children and now manages a business unit that ranks as one of the nation's largest auto lenders.

More is expected of all chief risk officers these days given the heightened regulatory scrutiny across the industry. But Helga Houston's responsibilities extend beyond those of most CROs.

Bita Ardalan is MUFG Union Bank's go-to executive for starting and building new business lines or turning around existing ones — with good reason.

Since joining Deutsche Bank two years ago, Susan Skerritt has raised the performance and profile of transaction banking in the Americas while helping to advance the careers of promising female managers.

Barb Godin has some simple advice for ambitious female bankers looking to advance in their careers: "Don't just let life happen."

Since joining UMB Financial, Begonya Klumb has built two divisions — investor relations and mergers and acquisitions — from the ground up. Now she's heading up its healthcare services unit.

Synovus Financial is back to playing offense and it is counting on Liz Dukes shape growth strategies across all business lines.

As HSBC sharpens its focus on international corporate banking, it's counting on Cate Luzio to strengthen its relationships with multinationals.

When Maria Tedesco joined Santander Bank as its head of retail banking in April 2014, customer attrition was high and the bank was losing deposit share. Tedesco was hired away from rival Citizens Financial to reverse these trends and position Santander as the regional bank of choice in all of its key markets.

Smarts matter, of course, but the key to career advancement lies in your ability to lead and motivate others, says Nandita Bakhshi.