Anna-Leigh Stone has been named the Sara J. Krawczak Chair in Financial Management at Samford University's Brock School of Business, a distinction recognizing her excellence in scholarship, teaching and service. 

The endowed faculty position, previously held by longtime finance professor and former dean Howard Finch before his retirement, supports leadership and innovation in the field of financial management. For Stone, succeeding a mentor who played a significant role in her professional development makes the appointment especially meaningful. 

"Howard Finch had a profound impact on my career, so following him as the holder of this chair is especially meaningful," Stone said. "The additional support that comes with the role will allow me to pursue new projects, attend conferences, build collaborations and continue bringing current research and real-world insights into the classroom." 

Stone has established herself as one of the school's most accomplished scholars. Her research has been published in leading finance and economics journals, including the Journal of Banking and Finance, Financial Review and the Journal of Macroeconomics. Her work explores topics ranging from corporate decision-making and political uncertainty to the role of credit unions in the financial system. 

Her scholarship has earned both institutional and national recognition. At the 2026 Brock School of Business Faculty Awards, Stone received the Larron C. Harper Service Award. In 2025, she was honored with the A. Gerow Hodges Research Award and Brock School of Business' Outstanding Scholarship Award, marking her second time receiving the scholarship honor after first earning it in 2020. Her 2020 article in Financial Review, "Corporate Decision-Making in the Presence of Political Uncertainty: The Case of Corporate Cash Holdings," became the journal's most cited article during 2020 and 2021. 

Much of Stone's research focuses on credit unions, an area she believes deserves greater attention within the finance discipline. Her work also reflects Samford's mission of integrating faith and learning. A 2023 study examining faith-based credit unions and credit risk was supported through Brock School of Business funding designated for mission-related research. 

While her scholarship has earned widespread respect, Stone says one of the greatest blessings of her career has been serving in a community that values and supports research. 

"One of the experiences I have appreciated most during my time at Brock School of Business has been working in an environment that genuinely supports faculty scholarship," she said. "Although we are often viewed as a teaching-focused school, I believe my research makes me a better teacher by keeping me engaged with current issues, strengthening my classroom discussions and connecting me with scholars and practitioners across the country." 

That support has enabled opportunities that extend beyond campus, including hosting a panel at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Stone credits school leadership with investing in faculty through conference travel, research resources and professional development opportunities that ultimately benefit students. 

Students know Stone as an accomplished researcher and professor who challenges them to achieve more than they thought possible. Known for her rigor and high expectations, she strives to create a classroom environment where students can grow in both confidence and capability. 

"I have a reputation for being a rigorous teacher, but my goal is to provide students with a safe place to stretch beyond their comfort zones and discover they are capable of more than they imagined," she said. 

She often shares advice she once received from Finch that continues to shape her approach to teaching and mentoring: "Getting out of your comfort zone is called growth, which is good for you!" 

"I hope my students leave with the confidence to pursue ambitious goals, knowing that growth often begins with taking on difficult challenges and that I'll always be cheering them on," Stone said. 

Beyond teaching and research, Stone is recognized for her commitment to service. She advises the Financial Management Association and Finance and Economics Women student organizations, contributes to accreditation and assessment initiatives within the school and serves the broader academic profession as a conference organizer, paper discussant and session chair. Colleagues consistently point to her willingness to serve and her attention to detail, most notably in leading significant improvements to the school's assessment processes. 

Throughout her work, Stone says her faith remains the foundation of her approach as a professor, researcher and mentor. 

"My faith shapes the way I approach every aspect of my work," she said. "It reminds me to treat every student with dignity, kindness and respect, to pursue excellence with integrity and to view teaching and mentoring as opportunities to serve others." 

As she begins her tenure as the Sara J. Krawczak Chair in Financial Management, Stone sees the appointment as both an honor and an opportunity to continue investing in the next generation of business leaders. 

"Whether in the classroom, through research or in one-on-one conversations, I hope my work reflects those values in a meaningful way," she said.