YPBirmingham is led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. This Board plans all YPBirmingham hosted events, generates communications through our website, email and Facebook and works to create new opportunities for Birmingham’s young professionals to interact and become involved in the city. Below you’ll find brief biographies for the 2011 YPBirmingham Board members.

Michelle Amaral (President)
Michelle is a Ph.D. level neuroscientist at UAB who studies Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that arises from an X chromosome mutation; her future aspirations include bridging the physical processes that take place in our brain with the subsequent behaviors that we exhibit by utilizing the fMRI technique. As a graduate student, she received the UAB Dean's Award as the Joint Health Sciences Outstanding Student. She is a freelance writer and has contributed articles to Lipstick, Jareeda, and Natural Awakenings magazines, in addition to serving as senior staff writer and news editor for the UAB Kaleidoscope newspaper. In 2009, she was chosen as 1 of 10 official "Neurobloggers" at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, where she kept over 30,000 people abreast of conference happenings. An avid volunteer with Shelby Humane Society, Michelle also participates in numerous activities to raise awareness about the importance of spay/neutering and is learning how to assist animals displaced after a natural disaster. She is a professional belly dancer with Devyani Dance Company and has performed around the country in such cities as San Francisco, Seattle, and Atlanta. Michelle believes in the importance of giving back to the community and, as such, is the President-elect for The Civiettes Club, a group that benefits the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, and serves on the Executive Board of the Children’s Dance Foundation, the Executive Board of the National Post-doctoral Association at UAB, and the Executive Board of the Young Women's Empowerment Conference; she has also worked with The Crisis Center and volunteered for the Lakeshore Foundation. In 2009, Michelle was awarded the Rookie of the Year Birmingham Leadership Award, sponsored by the Birmingham Business Alliance (formerly the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce). She is the Events Chair for YPBirmingham and handles all online media correspondence.

Caprenia Anthony
Caprenia Anthony is Founder of WAVE, Inc., a not for profit organization that helps to cultivate the talents and gifts of youth. She created Kids Acting Out Programs to encourage and train kids to tap into their creative abilities to flourish in Musical Theater, Dance, Acting, Commercials, Voice-overs, Production, Modeling and more. Caprenia has headlined in Broadway plays like Chicago, Dreamgirls, AIDA, Smokey Joe's Café, Beehive, and Ain’t Misbehavin’. Her talent credits include Birmingham Weekly, Birmingham Magazine, B-Metro, Southwest Airlines, Birmingham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Hyundai, UPN 68, Dale’s Seasoning, AmSouth Bank, First American Bank, Regions Bank, Civitan International, Compass Bank, All Kids, McDonald’s, Lawson State Community College, Green Home Alabama Host, Southern Living Cooking School, Milo's, Piggly Wiggly, Alabama Public Television, Vehix.com, and Lowe’s.

Brent Barringer (VP of Finance)
Brent works for Frost Cummings Tidwell Group where he is proficient in Tax, Audit, Business Litigation, Business Development and Renewable Energy Credits. He is a graduate from Auburn University. Brent has been involved with running congressional campaigns to local legislator campaigns. After moving to Birmingham 2 years ago, Brent became involved in multiple community organizations. Brent is a member of several committees involving the revitalization of downtown Birmingham. He is also on the Mitchell's Place Junior Counsel and is the VP of finance for the YPBirmingham board.
Brent.barringer@tidwellgroup.com

David Carn
David Carn is an attorney in the Birmingham office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. David grew up in Dothan, Alabama, graduated from Auburn University and attended law school at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Since moving to Birmingham in 2008, David has worked primarily in the areas of commercial real estate and general corporate and regulatory matters for alcohol manufacturers and retailers. Also a recording musician, David spends much of his time advising clients in the entertainment industry, as well as recording his own music projects.

Krista Conlin
Krista Conlin serves as Vice President of Business Operations for Wilbanks Agency Public Relations and Marketing, where she is responsible for the management of company operations, providing public relations and marketing activities for various clients and assisting with business development. Prior to joining Wilbanks Agency in 2004, Krista was Southeast Sales Coordinator for Relational Funding where she was responsible for creating and implementing full marketing and business analysis plans.

She received her Masters in Business Administration from The University of Miami in 2002, graduating summa cum laude and specializing in International Business and E-Commerce. She received her Bachelors Degree in Finance with honors from The University of Alabama in 1999 with a concentration in Investment Management.

In addition to her active role in YP of Birmingham as Board Member and Public Relations Chair, Krista is a member of Junior League of Birmingham, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary Board, Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Advisory Board and recently named to University of Alabama at Birmingham’s 2010 Leadership Class.
Krista@wilbanksagency.com

Jestina Howard (Membership Committee Co-chair)
Jestina R. Howard is a professional freelance makeup artist with over 15 years experience working in the industry. She is a highly sought after artist and her work has been seen throughout the United States and Internationally.

In June 2003, Jestina launched Aware Cosmetics, her very own cosmetic line, which is sold via her website and direct. A percentage of the annual product sales goes to the American Lung Association of Alabama. She is also a beauty spokesperson for Proctor & Gamble's Olay skincare line and a contributing beauty writer for My Scoop Birmingham and Southern Beauty Magazine. Recently she was selected as a 2009 entrepreneur honoree in the 3rd edition of Who's Who in Black Birmingham .

Not only is Jestina involved with YP Birmingham, but she serves on other boards such as Metropolitan Birmingham Services for the Homeless, American Lung Association in Alabama Leadership Council, Vulcan Park Foundation Fundraising Committee and Red Mountain Theatre Marketing Committee. She's a member of the United Way Young Leaders Society, National Association of Black Journalist and a mentor with the Bewhoyouwannabe program.

Jonathan Kudulis
Jonathan Kudulis has been with Trimmier Law Firm since graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2006. Jonathan’s practice involves civil litigation concerning the Firm’s representative clients as well as a wide assortment of personal injury litigation. Jonathan is a member of the Alabama State Bar, Florida State Bar, Mississippi State Bar, Birmingham Bar Association and the Alabama Association for Justice.

Jonathan grew up in Mobile, Alabama. Since finishing school, he has called Birmingham home. Jonathan is married to Kathryn Lampkin Kudulis and the two live in the historic Forest Park area of Birmingham.

Wesley McGugin
Wesley is a relatively new member of the Birmingham community having moved from Atlanta to take a position with Wachovia Bank. As a Senior Licensed Financial Specialist, he focuses on small business development advising clients on a wide range of financial services. Outside the office you might find him enjoying any of the numerous outdoor activities that Birmingham has to offer. From hiking and mountain biking, to playing rec league softball or enjoying a round of golf, his days are always active. Wes also takes a great interest in community involvement and has volunteered with a number of political campaigns. Here in Birmingham, he is also a member of the Camp Smile-a-Mile Junior Board. Originally from Mobile and a graduate of Auburn University , Wes is proud to call Birmingham his new home.

Erin Melaney
Erin Melaney, originally from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, has been active in Birmingham since moving to the city in 2004. Erin is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a BA in Political Science and received her Masters of Public Administration from UAB. In her position as Development Director for Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, she oversees fundraising, marketing and public relations for the nonprofit. In addition to serving on the YP Board, is an active member of Gateway's Jr. Board and the Woodlawn Business Association. She is also a 2011 participant in Mayor Bell’s YPs United leadership program. In her free time, Erin enjoys working on renovation projects in her historic home in Crestwood neighborhood.
erin.melaney@yahoo.com

Anna Alford Nelson
A graduate of Mississippi College, Anna comes to the Magic City by way of New Orleans where she began her career in media with WWLTV.com/Belo. Once in Birmingham, she created and soon became Director of NBC13’s interactive sales initiative where she consistently exceeded her budget goals. Anna then quickly took the reigns and launched skirt! magazine in Birmingham where she also served as General Manager. Currently, she is the Development Director for the Arthritis Foundation of Birmingham/Central AL. Anna is not only a leader in the media industry, however; she’s also a prominent figure within the community at large. She is active with the Chambers of Commerce for Mountain Brook , Homewood , Hoover , and Vestavia Hills and, additionally, serves on the Executive Women’s Roundtable for the Birmingham Business Alliance. As her board position suggests, Anna is involved with numerous non-profit organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Dance Foundation as the Marketing Chair and on the Board of Directors for the Arthritis Foundation as the Public Relations Chair for its annual Jingle Bell Run. In her free time, Anna pursues her artistic passions within the realm of acrylic painting.

Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson works for Regions Bank with roles including but not limited to consumer banking, lending, small business banking, Regions at Work, and branch operations. Bill grew up in Oxford, AL and Birmingham. He graduated from Mississippi College with a B.S. in Business Administration. He began his career with The Baptist Children’s Village in Jackson, MS. Bill has been back in Birmingham since 2006. He is honored to be married to Anna, and a proud father to Madelyn, who is in the 4th grade. Bill is involved with several local non-profits and member on committees including two with the Arthritis Foundation, and is currently serving on the YPBirmingham board.

Audrey Pannell
Audrey Pannell is currently the Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator at The Wilbanks Agency Public Relations & Marketing, where she develops, coordinates and executes public relations campaigns for a wide array of clients. Audrey earned her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Public Relations and minor in Business Administration in 2009 from Auburn University. In addition to serving on the YP Board, she currently serves as PR and Social Media Chair for Catalyst of Birmingham, Junior Board Member for the Autism Society of Alabama and is a member of both the Rotaract Club of Birmingham and the Public Relations Society of Alabama. Audrey is also a contributor for The Pillars LLC, an online magazine highlighting Birmingham’s most remarkable businesses, people and cultural offerings. Most recently, Audrey was named Ms. Young Hot Birmingham Professional by the Young Professionals of Birmingham for her philanthropic efforts with the Autism Society of Alabama.

D.G. Pantazis, Jr.
D.G. is an attorney at Wiggins, Childs, Quinn, and Pantazis LLC. D.G.'s practice involves all types of civil litigation. He attended Emory University for his undergraduate studies, the University of Alabama for Law school, and is also a graduate of Indian Springs High School. In addition to his work on the YP Birmingham board, he is a member of the American Cancer Society Junior Executive Board. D.G. was born and raised in Birmingham, and is proud to be a part of the enthusiastic group of young professionals that comprise YP Birmingham.

Paige Robinson
Paige Robinson is a 3rd grade teacher at a private school in Birmingham where she enjoys impacting the lives of her students for an eternal purpose. She got her B.S. in Education from Jacksonville State University in 2001 and taught at her elementary alma mater in Anniston before moving to Birmingham in 2002. Paige has a passion for impacting the community and strives to be involved in many areas in addition to YP Birmingham such as Junior League of Birmingham, Greater Birmingham Young Republicans, Meals on Wheels, as well as being actively involved in the Young Professionals small group at Church of the Highlands. She is a runner and is currently training for another half marathon.

Meagan Vucovich
After receiving a B.A. in Arts Management from the College of Charleston, Montgomery native Meagan Vucovich returned to Alabama to pursue a career in art education. She moved to Birmingham in 2009 where she has since been the Project Coordinator for VSA Alabama, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses through the arts. In her position at VSA Alabama, Meagan manages public relations and community outreach as well as coordinating special events and statewide art exhibits. She has a passion for art, music, the great outdoors and making a difference in the Birmingham community. Additionally, Meagan is a Youth Group Leader at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, member of the Mountain Brook Art Association and active in the College of Charleston Alumni Association and Birmingham Alumni Chapter.