Darrin L. Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and largest Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), will deliver the 2025 Clinton School of Public Service Commencement Address on Saturday, May 10.
The Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 will begin at 10 a.m. at Ron Robinson Theater in Downtown Little Rock.
A distinguished leader whose career spans business, law, and public service, Williams has delivered unique and significant impacts in the areas of finance and economic development. As the head of Southern Bancorp, Inc., Williams oversees a mission-driven financial organization dedicated to creating economic opportunities in under-resourced communities. Under his leadership, Southern Bancorp has expanded its assets to over $2.8 billion, serving 65,000 customers across 56 locations throughout the Mid-South and beyond.
“I am honored and humbled to deliver this year’s Clinton School of Public Service Commencement Address,” said Williams. “In an ever-changing world of challenges and opportunities, there has never been a stronger need for dedicated individuals committed to creating brighter futures for communities across the globe. I look forward to celebrating this year’s class and encouraging them to be the change they want to see in the world.”
Long an advocate for public service, Williams served as Deputy Attorney General of Arkansas, where he focused on protecting Arkansas consumers. He continued that focus as a managing partner at the law firm of Carney, Williams, Bates, Pulliam & Bowman, where he practiced securities and consumer protection law, representing those harmed by large corporations. During that period, he also served three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives (2008-2013), rising to the role of Speaker Pro Tempore, where he also championed consumer rights and protections.
Following his deep-rooted passion for financial access, Williams joined the board of Southern Bancorp in 2012 to support its efforts to enhance economic access in under-resourced communities, and a year later accepted the role of CEO. Under his leadership, Southern Bancorp has more than doubled in size and impact, with locations throughout Arkansas and Mississippi and mortgage lenders across the South focused on delivering responsible financial resources to people and places that often struggle to achieve the American Dream.
“Darrin Williams embodies the values of public service, leadership, and community impact that we instill in our students,” said Dean Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto. “His work in financial access and economic development has changed lives in communities across Arkansas, and his ability to bridge sectors – law, finance, and public service – reflects the interdisciplinary approach we encourage in our students. We are honored to welcome him as our Commencement Speaker.”
Williams has been recognized repeatedly for his contributions to the world of impact finance, including being named to Bloomberg’s 50 Most Influential List in 2020 and Business Insider’s list of 100 People Transforming Business in 2022.
He also serves in a number of regional, national, and international leadership roles related to his work, such as board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Little Rock Branch; board chair of the national Community Development Bankers Association; a member of the national Community Development Advisory Board, which advises the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund; and serving on the board of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values.
Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hendrix College, a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law, and a Master of Laws in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown University Law Center.
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