Our Team
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Jalete Nelms - Executive Director
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Dr. Laura Kezar - Executive Board President
Dr. Laura Kezar serves as president of the ANNO board. She recently retired from a 30+ year successful physiatry career at UAB's Spain Rehabilitation Center, primarily caring for people with neurologic and musculoskeletal disabilities. She also served 11 years as the Associate Dean of Students at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in addition to 6 years on the Jefferson County Board of Health, among other roles at the regional and national levels. She is an urban farm food gardener who donates to local food pantries, totaling 2,000+ lbs in 2023. She is also an ANNO Master Gardener, helping to develop statewide programming to facilitate donation of fresh produce from backyard and small farm gardeners to community members across Alabama.
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Valerie Jones -Executive Board Vice President
Ms. Valerie Jones, RN, serves as vice president of the ANNO Board. She is currently employed at UAB in Utilization Management and is a member of New Rising Star Church in Eastlake. She worked at Cooper Green Hospital for 24 years, where she became a passionate advocate for marginalized and underserved people after witnessing the detrimental effects of social determinants and disparities in healthcare. She serves as her church's HEAL Ambassador Coordinator and is a youth leader and member of the Health and Wellness Ministry.