Celebrating Excellence: Regions Bank Associates Named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2025 NextGen Leadership List

The Birmingham Business Journal has selected five Regions associates among its 2025 NextGen Leadership honorees. The award recognizes 50 young professionals in Greater Birmingham across all industries. Honorees were chosen based on their contributions to their companies, their role in the industry, the likelihood of them becoming key leaders in their field, and their impact in the community.

Congratulations to these associates:

Bowes Davies plays a pivotal role in shaping Regions’ enterprise-wide strategic plan, supporting executive and board-level decisions that drive long-term growth. Beyond his strategic work, he contributes to talent development as a Finance Summer Internship Program Manager, guiding interns toward successful careers. Davies actively contributes to cross-functional initiatives, including the Strategic Financial Plan Working Group and Finance Innovation Group, and champions community engagement through Junior Achievement of Alabama, youth football coaching and service through his local church.

Kennedy Hicks is recognized for her leadership in enhancing associate support and operational efficiency, managing a team that connects associates with company resources, benefits, policies, professional development offerings and more. She spearheaded the launch of a self-service HR platform, reducing call volume and improving resource access. Hicks strengthens Regions’ talent pipeline through her participation in Emerging Talent Program workshops and mentoring Regions’ interns. She also gives back to the community through United Way initiatives, service projects for the Lovelady Center, her role on the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Young Supporters Board and service through her local church.

Amber Limaye leads a team within Regions’ Financial Crimes Unit dedicated to leveraging data for risk management and regulatory compliance. His contributions include establishing a federated data governance model and shaping Regions’ AI Risk Framework to guide safe adoption of emerging technologies. Limaye represents Regions in national AI risk discussions and fosters associate engagement as a RegionsLEADS Champion and a member of the Birmingham Impact Network. Outside work, he supports local parks, volunteers at the Hindu Temple of Birmingham, and participates in charity runs.

Elizabeth Townsend advises senior executives and the board on governance and disclosure matters as head of the Office of the Corporate Secretary. She led the redesign of Regions’ proxy statement, a project that earned a nomination as a finalist for Best Proxy Statement and Best Use of Technology at Governance Intelligence’s annual Corporate Governance Awards. Townsend is active in professional organizations, including the Society for Corporate Governance and Birmingham Bar Association, and has contributed to leadership programs and community initiatives such as Junior Achievement of Alabama.

Stephen Walley conducts due diligence on private investment opportunities that shape nonprofit healthcare and mission-based portfolios nationwide. He developed an in-house technology solution that modernized market mapping for more than 1,000 funds, improving transparency and access. Recognized as a Rising Star of Capital Allocators by CityWire, Walley also serves on the junior boards of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and The WellHouse, reflecting his commitment to community service and mission-driven impact.