A Monticello woman has been named the 2023 Young Alumna of the Year by the University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Business and Economic Development.

Allie Williamson is the owner and CEO of Southern Domestic Diva, a multi-services cleaning company in Southwest Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee.

A native of Monticello, Williamson earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from USM. She then began her career in hospitality at the Grand Marriott in Fairhope, Alabama. She gained experience in sales through her roles in the industry and eventually landed a job with RJ Young in Nashville.

Though she loved her roles in the corporate world, Williamson desired to make an impact in a new way. During her free time, she began cleaning homes to make a little extra money for the holidays. After her 9-5 job, she would change clothes, grab her vacuum and a bottle of Pine-Sol and get to work. Her initial success encouraged her to pursue her entrepreneurial journey full-time and in 2014, Southern Domestic Diva was formed.

In 2019, she expanded the business to her hometown and a new division of Southern Domestic Diva opened in Southwest Mississippi. She has grown an empire made up of more than 70 women. Williamson and her team serve more than 800 clients total, offering services for residential, commercial, and rental properties.

“Recognizing alumni who have made great contributions to their fields and alma mater is important to show appreciation for what they have done as well as hold them up as examples for others to emulate,” said business dean Bret Becton.