Carolyn Williams
In 1961, Carolyn married A. Duncan Williams and forged a life along the successes of his ability as a high producer in the municipal bond industry. In April 1969, she helped her husband found Duncan-Williams, Inc. While raising their two small children, Duncan and Emily, Carolyn set her feet on the path to learning the investment banking business over the next 20 years. The company grew its business interests into that of a regional brokerage firm, underwriting municipal debt as the Southeastern United States was experiencing a boom in population.
But in 1989, the operation was jolted by her husband’s death and Carolyn became the owner of Duncan-Williams, Inc. It was her strong resolve to hold on to the family firm; and today she remains the Chairwoman of the Board, as Duncan-Williams, Inc. celebrates its 47th anniversary.
She has lent her time and business insight to many charitable causes and has served as a member of the Board of Directors at the Bank of Germantown in Germantown, Tennessee. Carolyn currently serves on the Board of the University of Memphis Foundation, as well as the University’s Board of Visitors. Carolyn also is a patron of the arts and is a Board member of Theatre Memphis. Her greatest passion, though, is spending time on the Williams’ family farm called “The Roost” in Clarksdale, MS with close friends, family, and creating memories with her grandchildren.