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LITTLE ROCK, ARK. – Southern Bancorp, Inc. today announced a new addition to its leadership team. LaTricia Hill-Chandler has been named Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer.

“We are thrilled to welcome LaTricia to our leadership team,” said Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc. “When searching for a candidate to fill this position, we knew we needed someone with both a wealth of experience in the field along with values that align with our mission-focused work. LaTricia’s expertise, principles, and guidance will be invaluable as we prepare for growth that is reflective of our inclusive founding principles, which have from the beginning included a strong focus on increasing economic mobility in minority communities.”

Hill-Chandler comes to Southern Bancorp with three decades of experience in the diversity, equity, and inclusion field. Most recently, she served as Arvest Bank’s first DEI officer, overseeing efforts across the financial institution’s four-state region, and leading the company to be named a 2022 Best Employer for Diversity by Forbes. Prior to this, she was in the Global Culture Diversity and Inclusion Office at Walmart Inc., responsible for creating and implementing a worldwide inclusive leadership initiative.

“I am excited to be leading DEI efforts for Southern Bancorp and its entities,” said Hill-Chandler. “Their commitment to advancing financial interests within underserved communities aligns well with the overall intent of DEI. And with this focus, we hope to engage in more representation (D), fairness (E), and belonging (I) to our employees, suppliers, customers, and communities. Our responsibility is to promote DEI wherein everyone feels welcomed, supported, and respected as we continue to build wealth. By nurturing this type of inclusive environment, all of us will be successful.”

The Magnolia, Ark. native is a first-generation college graduate, earning her bachelor’s in business administration from LeMoyne-Owen College, an HBCU in Memphis, and her master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is also a credentialed Certified Diversity Executive, and a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. Recently, LaTricia was named a 2022 Women in Business honoree by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

Outside of work, her many civic endeavors include serving on the boards of directors for a number of organizations, such as TASC (Teen Action Support Center); Walton College of Business, Dr. Barbara Lofton Office of Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board, University of Arkansas; The Conference Board; Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council US, New York, NY; Bentonville Together Advisory Board; and A Little Bit of Hope.

She and her daughter reside in Rogers, Ark., where they enjoy traveling, reading, and volleyball. 

About Southern Bancorp
Founded in 1986 by some of the nation’s leading political, business, and philanthropic leaders with an initial investment of $10 million, Southern Bancorp, Inc., along with its development partners – Southern Bancorp Bank, Southern Bancorp Community Partners, and Premier Bank of Arkansas – has grown into a $2.3 billion asset organization with 54 locations serving 65,000 customers across two states with a unique array of financial products and services designed to help individuals at all stages of life’s financial journey – from teaching kids how to save to helping entrepreneurs and families realize the American Dream. Southern Bancorp is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, certified B-Corp, and proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. Learn more at www.BankSouthern.com and www.SouthernPartners.org.