Anna Raleigh McKibbens hails from Alabama and comes from a family with longstanding ties to the state. She engages in a variety of business sectors, including banking, construction materials, agriculture, leasing, insurance, petroleum distribution, and trucking.
The family-owned business she’s part of employs over 550 people in Alabama, with Bryant Bank being the most recognized entity among them.
As general counsel and assistant secretary at Bryant Bank, McKibbens combines her legal knowledge with a strong sense of commitment to her family and community.
From the outset of her career, she’s sought to blend law with business, eventually returning to the bank her father established.
Now, McKibbens not only plays a pivotal role at Bryant Bank; she also helps sustain its culture of care, trust, and service that characterizes community banks in Alabama.
For her, leadership transcends transactions. It’s about ensuring the bank and its relationships remain vital for future generations within the Alabama community.
A community-based legacy
Bryant Bank was founded in 2005 by Paul W. Bryant Jr., aiming for a mission that extended beyond just financial services. He envisioned a bank that valued community and local investment.
Starting in Tuscaloosa, the bank has thoughtfully expanded while remaining family-run, deeply rooted in the communities it serves.
With 18 offices across Alabama, Bryant Bank continues to uphold its foundational vision, fostering strong relationships and an unwavering dedication to the financial well-being of Alabama families.
For McKibbens, this legacy is personal, grounded in her family’s history. She speaks passionately about ensuring that Bryant Bank remains a cornerstone of the Alabama community, advancing her father’s legacy.
McKibbens aims to fortify the community banking sector throughout Alabama, emphasizing the importance of relationships. “Family-owned businesses like Bryant Bank matter because we know our customers’ stories and invest in local initiatives,” she notes. “When challenges arise, we’re there to face them together. This job isn’t just business—it’s personal; it’s home.”
Build her own path
While her current role connects her to her family legacy, McKibbens has always forged her own path in business and law, driven by a desire to return to her roots. After graduating from the University of Alabama, she recognized that pursuing a law degree was essential but didn’t want to follow the conventional law firm route.
“I wanted to go to law school, but I wasn’t especially interested in practicing law at a big firm. I wanted to be in business,” she explains.
This perspective took her to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she earned her law degree. Her career as an in-house lawyer spanned banking and insurance before she helped start her family’s construction materials business in Atlanta.
“With my law degree, I experienced a variety of industries, and I’ve always learned something new,” she recalls. “This diversity genuinely fits my personality and interests.”
These experiences didn’t just serve to enhance her resume; they molded McKibbens into a versatile leader, skilled in navigating various business contexts, a vital asset in a multi-faceted family enterprise.
She effectively bridges the corporate office at Bryant Bank and the banks near Alabama’s catfish ponds.
Community cultivation
When asked about her proudest accomplishments, McKibbens highlights the cultures of the businesses she’s involved in, using the annual company picnic at Bryant Bank as a prime example of how culture manifests.
“Watching our bankers come together with their families, seeing our kids grow year after year, and witnessing the genuine affection among our team members reinforces that we’ve built something meaningful.”
These gatherings signify much more than camaraderie; they lay the groundwork for Bryant Bank’s enduring success.
She believes that when employees regard each other as family, that ethos naturally extends outward.
This culture of connection is something McKibbens hopes to preserve and nurture across all family businesses in the future.
Inspired by a strong woman
Throughout her life, McKibbens has been surrounded by strong women whose leadership and resilience shaped her own approach.
One particularly influential figure was Mary Ann Phelps, a community activist in Tuscaloosa, who passed away at 93 earlier this year.
She recalls feeling a desire to impress Mrs. Phelps during her childhood. As an adult, she recognizes Phelps’ unwavering dedication to civic engagement and her talent for mobilizing others. “Her life’s work was community service,” McKibbens states.
Phelps’ legacy continues to guide McKibbens at Bryant Bank. The examples of women who subtly yet significantly shaped her community remind her that influence is measured not only by title, but also by dedication, purpose, and resilience.
Shocking woman
For McKibbens, her work is deeply invested in legacy and community. She is passionately committed to preparing Bryant Bank for the future while honoring her father’s original vision.
She believes community banks like Bryant Bank play a vital role in Alabama’s economy and civic landscape. They build personal connections with clients, invest in local causes, and stand by the community during difficult times.
The vision is both practical and personal. As McKibbens puts it, “We’re not just running a family business. We’re nurturing families in businesses that assist Alabama families in achieving their dreams.”
I’m proud to recognize Anna Laurie McKibbens as the remarkable woman of 2025.
