Business Council of Alabama finds CEO Helena Duncan is good for business
Helena Duncan assumed leadership at the state’s most influential business advocacy organization, the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), in December 2022. As president and CEO, she brings to the position 35 years of experience in the world of finance. She previously served as BCA’s senior vice president of operations and investor relations and, before that, served as regional president of Liberty Bank and Trust for five years. A finance graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery, she built her career in the banking and mortgage world with positions at First Tuskegee Bank, American Legacy Mortgage, and Colonial Bancgroup. She is active in Montgomery-area community affairs, serving as a member of the Committee of 100, and the board of directors for the YMCA, Dixie Electric Cooperative, and the advisory board for Synovus Bank. She is also former chairman of the board at Saint James School. She is passionate about advocating for Alabama business, as she related in a recent Q&A with Alabama Living magazine: Alabama Living: Tell us a little about your growing-up years and where you went to high school and college. Helena Duncan: I am the youngest of five kids. It was tough growing up behind such dynamic siblings. Our parents put a lot of importance on education. Their expectations were high, but they were right there with us every step of the way. I graduated from Opelika High School. I attended both Auburn University and Auburn-Montgomery, where I obtained my degree in finance. AL: How did you decide to go into the financial sector for your career? Duncan: The financial sector chose me, I like to say. I started working as a teller while I was in college. That allowed me to have my nights and weekends free. I realized then that I liked banking and that I was actually good at it. It was early enough in my education that I was able to declare finance as my major and continued on that path. AL: How has your experience in banking and the financial world helped you in your new role at BCA? Duncan: For one, serving others and trying to do the best thing possible to help advance others. Also, in banking, I often got to hear and witness the challenges businesses faced doing business in Alabama. Then I couldn’t do much about it outside of being a listening ear. Now, I’m in a position to help facilitate change to make Alabama a great place to do business. Working in finance allows me to understand both sides of the issues. AL: How does your role as a trustee of Dixie Electric Cooperative help you in making decisions for the larger business community? Conversely, how does your business background help you in your role as a Dixie EC trustee? Duncan: Dixie is so fortunate the have the leadership team that we have. Being involved with this board really allows me an up-close and personal view of the impact that legislation has on business decisions within an organization. It allows me to see what’s working well and what’s not. My background in business and finance helps me to be more of a part of the solution. We have a very smart and engaged board, all with their own set of talents to offer. Together, we make quite the team. AL: I hear you love to brag on your family, so tell us about them. Duncan: Well, Clarence and I are extremely proud of our sons, CJ and Collin. CJ graduated at Vanderbilt University and is now in government affairs in Nashville, Tennessee. Collin just recently graduated from Mississippi State with a degree in kinesiology. AL: How do you like to relax after work? Duncan: I haven’t figured that out yet. Most days close with dinner with my husband, recapping the day. After 32 years of marriage, I really can’t think of a better way to do it. This story originally appeared in Alabama Living magazine. Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
Personnel Update: Helena Duncan named CEO of Business Council of Alabama
The Business Council of Alabama has named Helena Duncan as its new President and CEO. Duncan has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry and has been at BCA since 2020. Most recently, Duncan worked as Senior Vice President of Operations and Investor Relations. “Helena Duncan has the experience, talent, and perspective to lead the BCA effectively and enhance its role as the voice of Alabama business,” BCA Chairman Mike Kemp said in a news release. “She is an experienced businesswoman who has worked with a broad cross-section of businesses. She speaks the language of business. Her leadership qualities, management experience, and work ethic will be valuable assets to BCA as we chart our course for the future.” Duncan is the first African American president of BCA. Duncan is also a board member of Dixie Electric Cooperative, the YMCA, the Montgomery Committee of 100, the Board of Controls Committee of 100, and Synovus Bank. “I am honored to be chosen and entrusted with the responsibility of leading such a prestigious organization. I look forward to implementing our strategic plan that has been developed over the past year,” said Duncan. “My previous roles at BCA have given me a strong knowledge of the organization and our members. As we begin this new chapter, our priority will be to refine and refocus our efforts on energetic, effective advocacy on behalf of our members in Montgomery and at the federal level.” The position has been vacant since U.S. Sen.-elect Katie Britt stepped down in July 2021 to run for U.S. Senate. Robin Stone has led BCA as Interim Executive Director since then. Kemp praised Stone’s leadership. “Robin has provided efficient, effective leadership during his time at BCA,” stated Kemp. “During his tenure, BCA experienced a strong period of successful operations in all aspects of our organization, and we are grateful for his contributions. We look forward to his continued support.” Helena is married to Clarence Duncan. They have two sons, CJ and Collin.
Katie Britt promotes three talented leaders at BCA
Three employees with The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) have recently been promoted. Helena Duncan has been promoted to senior vice president of operations and investor relations. Susan Carothers will serve as the vice president of investor relations, and Drew Harrell has been promoted to vice president of governmental affairs. President and CEO of BCA Katie Boyd Britt commented, “Helena, Susan, and Drew have played an instrumental role in the success of BCA, bringing a wealth of knowledge in their respective areas of expertise. I am thrilled to promote each of them into a new leadership role, and I look forward to watching them lead and grow their departments, along with our organization. These talented individuals are a part of a highly skilled team who will continue to work each day to ensure that Alabama is a great place to live, work and do business.” Helena Duncan started working with BCA in January 2020 as the director of strategic operations and growth. With her 30 years of experience in the financial industry, she has worked hard to strengthen partnerships within the business community. In her new role with BCA, Helena will oversee membership, finance, and human resources but will also assume leadership of investor relations, communications, marketing, and events. “Working for BCA has been the most rewarding experience,” stated Helena. “We are consistently laser-focused on serving the businesses of Alabama at the highest level. Although we faced unprecedented times in 2020, our commitment never wavered, and our focus never changed. I’m extremely proud to work for this organization and serve the businesses of Alabama.” Susan Carothers has been a part of BCA as the manager of events and special projects since 2005 and quickly became an expert in many areas. She has managed projects, planned and executed major BCA events, and in 2012 even launched her own company. However, she has remained on contract as the main event planner for BCA. In her new role, she will continue to oversee events and also take over communications and marketing. Drew Harrell is taking the vice president of governmental affairs position Molly Cagle recently vacated. He came to BCA in 2011 as executive assistant to the president and later took on the roles of executive assistant and strategic operations coordinator. His most recent role has been the director of governmental and regulatory affairs, where he also serves as executive director of the Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure. “Being a part of this BCA team and seeing firsthand the value this organization brings to its members, as well as to our state, has been a true blessing,” Drew stated. “I am extremely honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve this great organization in this capacity, and I look forward to building on its successes through collective efforts with our BCA members.” Drew has always played a role in implementing BCA’s legislative agenda, and he will continue this role as vice president of governmental affairs. The Business Council of Alabama is Alabama’s foremost voice for business and is a non-partisan business association in Alabama. The BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers
