Angela Duran

Angela Duran says two things set her on the course to become president of Southern Good Faith Fund: her parents and grandparents, who had roots in Bradley County in southeast Arkansas, and attending Catholic schools, which instilled in her the values she holds today.

“I believe we’re here on earth to give and to serve, and that’s what I try to do,” she said.

Duran, with the Southern Good Faith Fund since 1998, took over as president three years ago during a time of economic crisis. During the go-go days of the 1990s, the budget had grown to a point that was not sustainable, forcing Duran to makes cuts in staff and programs.

Despite a smaller staff, she has managed to nearly double the total number of people served by the fund, which is part of Southern Bancorp’s family of nonprofit organizations.

The secrets of success, Duran says, are hard work and having a great team. “It’s all about the team effort. No leader ever did it all by herself.”

She was instrumental in lobbying the Arkansas Legislature to establish individual development accounts, which are matched savings accounts for working poor families trying to buy a first home, pay for postsecondary education or job training, or start their own business. Duran is also working with Southeast Arkansas College at Pine Bluff to develop a Career Pathways program. The state liked her model — which helps move low-income adults up the career ladder through educational programs that enable them to combine school and work and advance to better jobs – well enough to ask her to replicate it at several other community colleges. The Transitional Employment Board has allocated $16 million to develop the model program at 10 additional community colleges.

Duran, who says she most admires Jo Luck, the CEO at Heifer International, finds time to serve on several boards and committees in the state, and she’s on two national boards.

Previous Honorees