Southern Bancorp added two new members to its leadership team. Kenya Davenport joins the CDFI as the organization’s Chief of Staff, and Will Lambe joins as Chief Strategy Officer.
“I’m excited to welcome both Kenya and Will to Southern Bancorp’s leadership team,” said Darrin Williams, Southern Bancorp CEO. “Each brings a host of skills and experience that will be critical to our future growth and impact.”
In her role as Southern Bancorp’s Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement, Davenport will advise the CEO and manage several key areas including investor relations, fundraising and development, stakeholder engagement and strategic project management.
Davenport, a Memphis native, 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.
In his role as Southern Bancorp‘s Chief Strategy Officer, Lambe will lead the development and implementation of strategies to guide the organization’s growth, while ensuring both sustainability and mission-alignment.
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 on the topics.
Lambe is a North Carolina native and father of three. He 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.”
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