LITTLE ROCK, AR – Southern Bancorp, Inc. today announced the addition of two new key members to the Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI) leadership team, Kenya Davenport as the organization’s Chief of Staff, and Will Lambe, as Chief Strategy Officer.
“I’m excited to welcome both Kenya and Will to Southern Bancorp’s leadership team,” said Darrin Williams, Southern Bancorp, Inc., CEO. “Each brings a host of skills and experience that will be critical to our future growth and impact.”
A Memphis native, Kenya Davenport will serve as Southern Bancorp, Inc.’s Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement where she will advise the CEO and manage several key areas including investor relations, fundraising and development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic project management.
Davenport began her career as a teacher in Memphis Public Schools before transitioning to financial advising. She later attended law school and graduated with honors before founding her own law firm. Most recently, she was of counsel at the law firm of Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. in Little Rock.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University, a master’s degree from Christian Brothers University, and her law degree from UALR’s Bowen School of Law. She is married with two children, and is active in several local community and professional boards.
“Joining Southern Bancorp in this role is a true blending of two of my long held passions: teaching and service,” said Davenport. “I look forward to using what I have learned throughout my career to not only advise the Southern organization and its leadership, but support its mission of wealth building to help families create brighter futures.”
Will Lambe joins Southern Bancorp as its new Chief Strategy Officer, a role in which he will lead the development and implementation of strategies to guide the organization’s growth while ensuring both sustainability and mission-alignment.
Bringing a wealth of community and economic development experience to the role, Lambe most recently served as Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Business Development at Enterprise Community Loan Fund, one of the nation’s largest CDFI loan funds.. Prior to that, he was a senior advisor on development finance at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He is a frequent speaker and contributor on topics ranging from rural development finance and public-private partnerships to tax credit financing and philanthropy, and he has authored numerous articles and publications, including, Small Towns, Big Ideas: Case Studies in Small Town Community Economic Development (UNC School of Government, 2008).
A North Carolina native, the father of three received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. He is also an active volunteer and board member for several regional and national organizations.
“Having spent my career focused on delivering capital to underserved communities, I have witnessed the impact and legacy of Southern numerous times,” said Lambe. “I’m beyond excited to now have the opportunity to be part of its future impact and evolving legacy.”
High resolution photo of Will Lambe
High resolution photo of Kenya Davenport
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 and Southern Bancorp Community Partners, has grown into a $2 billion asset organization with 51 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 Financial Development 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.