Congratulations Human Resources Business Partner Joanna Clayton for being named to the Birmingham Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 class of 2026.
WHO
Joanna Clayton is executive vice president and human resources business partner, serving as HR strategic delivery leader for Regions’ Corporate Banking Group.
WHAT
Birmingham Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 — Class of 2026
The Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 honors business leaders under age 40 who are shaping Birmingham’s business community. Selected from hundreds of nominations, this year’s class represents a wide range of industries and reflects the depth of talent across metro Birmingham.
“Joanna has a remarkable gift for bringing clarity to even the most complex challenges, and she does it with such humility and heart,” said Ashley Garrison, head of human resources strategic delivery and talent management. “We are incredibly proud to see her honored in this way. Not only does Joanna drive meaningful business impact, but she does it in a way that makes others feel supported, engaged, and empowered.”
Joanna has a remarkable gift for bringing clarity to even the most complex challenges, and she does it with such humility and heart.
WHY
Clayton has built a career defined by steady advancement, trusted leadership and meaningful business impact.
After beginning her career in audit at Ernst & Young, she joined Regions Bank in 2011 through the management associate program, where she was recognized as a top performer. She has since progressed through senior HR leadership roles supporting corporate support, wealth management and corporate banking. Promoted to executive vice president in 2024, Clayton leads strategic HR for Regions’ Corporate Banking Group, supporting more than 2,800 associates. To drive business success, Clayton and her team prioritize organizational design, talent management, succession planning, upskilling, and performance-based rewards to attract, retain, and advance top talent.
A strong advocate for career growth, she has helped create pathways that enable associates to advance from within the organization while continuing to attract experienced external talent to strengthen the business. She also designed a first-of-its-kind talent assessment framework to support future-focused development across the business.
Beyond her role at Regions, Clayton serves on the board of directors for Better Basics, a nonprofit advancing literacy and educational opportunities for children across Central Alabama. A mother of four (including twins), she balances her demanding professional role with family and community responsibilities. Her husband serves as Senior Pastor at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, where Clayton also contributes meaningfully to church life.
IN HER OWN WORDS
The work I’m proudest of rarely happens in the spotlight — and it never happens alone. It’s the power of teamwork deployed to help others succeed: advising leaders through complex challenges, challenging the status quo to create enterprise value, and investing in people’s growth to unlock their full potential. These moments don’t come with fanfare, but their ripple effects reach far. When we lead well, we positively impact our associates, clients, and communities — and I’m grateful to play even a small part in that.
MORE:
Learn more about Clayton’s career journey and contributions in this profile.
Careers at Regions: Empowered to Thrive
Associates are Regions’ most valuable asset. We are building the best team by empowering our associates to connect, belong, grow, achieve and thrive. Looking for a place where you can thrive? Visit the Careers page on regions.com to view current job listings and to learn more about working at Regions.
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FUN FACT:
“I love doing mehndi (henna) – it’s a fun way to connect to my cultural background and lean into my artistic side, especially after a week heavy in data analysis or spreadsheets. While mehndi is traditionally used during celebratory functions (think weddings), it’s been meaningful to introduce it to the kids in a more informal manner. So, on any given weekend or holiday break, you might find me taking orders at my kitchen table, ranging from intricate Indian designs for the girls all the way to cartoon characters for the twins. Keeps me on my toes!”