Executive Director
Carol Sue Nelson
Emeritus Board
Carol Sue Nelson is an attorney in Birmingham, Alabama. She served as the County Attorney for Jefferson County from 2013 though 2016. Prior to that time, Ms. Nelson was a shareholder in the firm of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC, from 2004-2013, concentrating her practice in representing management in labor, EEO and other employment matters. She graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University in 1974 and received her J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law in 1977, graduating magna cum laude. At Cumberland she was on Law Review and selected into the Order of the Coif. Following law school Ms. Nelson clerked for the Honorable United States District Judge James H. Hancock. Thereafter, she worked as In-House Counsel for Protective Life Insurance Company from 19781980. From 1980-2004, Ms. Nelson was a partner in the firm of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP, specializing in labor and employment law. Ms. Nelson, an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America and one of Chambers USA Leading Lawyers for Business. She has been selected as one of the 25 top women attorneys in Alabama. She is a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and has been appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court to serve on the Standing Committee on Rules of Conduct and Canons of Judicial Ethics. She recently served as Chair of the Federal Practice Section of the Birmingham Bar Association, served as a member of the Lawyers Advisory Committee for the Northern District of Alabama, and served on the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association. She is also a member of the Birmingham Bar Foundation. Ms. Nelson is admitted to the Alabama State Bar, all U.S. District Courts in Alabama, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. She has argued cases before the 4th, 6th and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeal. Ms. Nelson is involved in a number of civic activities in leadership roles, serving on the Governor’s Alabama Women’s Commission and Auburn University Women’s Leadership Institute. She is also Past President of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.
Jesalyn McCurry
Junior Board Member
Jesalyn McCurry has over 15 years of experience in the electric utility industry. Currently, she works for Alabama Power in regulatory policy. In this role she is a liaison for the utility company with its state regulator, the Alabama Public Service Commission. Since beginning her career at Georgia Power in 2002, McCurry has developed broad skills, many in the public relations arena. Her communications experience includes managing communication strategy, content development, crisis communication, executive communication, media strategy and serving as a media spokesperson. Through McCurry’s communication leadership, Southern Company won national awards for many large-scale research projects. She also assisted in writing the utility industry book, “Innovative Solutions.” Serving the community is important to McCurry. A passionate advocate for literacy, she teaches adults to read with one-on-one tutoring through M-Power Ministries. McCurry has served the YWCA of Central Alabama, Childcare Resources and the Southern Environmental Center on Boards or Junior Boards of Directors. She is also very active in her church. McCurry graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama Birmingham. She and her husband, Matt, have three children.
Emily Herring
Junior Board Member
Emily Herring was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and now lives in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Social Work and from The University of Alabama with a Master of Social Work. She works as the Mental Health Services Coordinator for the Fairfield City Schools district. This position was created to provide mental health services in school districts across Alabama through a partnership between Alabama’s Department of Mental Health and Alabama’s Department of Education. Emily is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Alabama. She also assists undergraduate and graduate students in preparing for social work careers through serving as a Field Instructor for university social work programs. Emily’s professional experience has primarily been in the child welfare system, the education system, and the criminal justice system. Emily serves as a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship, a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Young Advisory Board, and a member of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. She also regularly engages in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts. Emily is an active member at Christ Fellowship Church.
Laura Leigh Latta
Junior Board Member
Laura Leigh Latta is an Assistant Vice President in the Government Affairs Department of Protective Life Corporation. She has helped coordinate state government strategy and outreach for the Company since 2011, and represents Protective at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as well as in front of various state insurance departments. Ms. Latta has served in several leadership roles within the industry, including President of both the Association of Alabama Life Insurance Companies and the Association of Tennessee Life Insurance Companies. She is a board member on the Alabama, Vermont, and Tennessee state guaranty associations, serving as Vice Chair of the latter. Laura Leigh is active at the American Council of Life Insurers, the industry’s primary trade association, serving as a voting member of the State Legislative Strategy Group and participating in several state- and internationally-focused committees. Ms. Latta is also active in the community, and has served on the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, and as a fundraising coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Birmingham. She is a member of the Alabama Writer’s Coalition, the Government Relations section of the Alabama Bar Association, GASP, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, and a number of other, local organizations. Ms. Latta graduated with distinction from the University of the South, Sewanee and with honors from the University of Alabama School of Law where she obtained a Juris Doctor degree.
Jesalyn McCurry
Junior Board Member
Jesalyn McCurry has over 15 years of experience in the electric utility industry. Currently, she works for Alabama Power in regulatory policy. In this role she is a liaison for the utility company with its state regulator, the Alabama Public Service Commission. Since beginning her career at Georgia Power in 2002, McCurry has developed broad skills, many in the public relations arena. Her communications experience includes managing communication strategy, content development, crisis communication, executive communication, media strategy and serving as a media spokesperson. Through McCurry’s communication leadership, Southern Company won national awards for many large-scale research projects. She also assisted in writing the utility industry book, “Innovative Solutions.” Serving the community is important to McCurry. A passionate advocate for literacy, she teaches adults to read with one-on-one tutoring through M-Power Ministries. McCurry has served the YWCA of Central Alabama, Childcare Resources and the Southern Environmental Center on Boards or Junior Boards of Directors. She is also very active in her church. McCurry graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama Birmingham. She and her husband, Matt, have three children.
Emily Herring
Junior Board Member
Emily Herring was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and now lives in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Social Work and from The University of Alabama with a Master of Social Work. She works as the Mental Health Services Coordinator for the Fairfield City Schools district. This position was created to provide mental health services in school districts across Alabama through a partnership between Alabama’s Department of Mental Health and Alabama’s Department of Education. Emily is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Alabama. She also assists undergraduate and graduate students in preparing for social work careers through serving as a Field Instructor for university social work programs. Emily’s professional experience has primarily been in the child welfare system, the education system, and the criminal justice system. Emily serves as a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship, a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Young Advisory Board, and a member of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. She also regularly engages in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts. Emily is an active member at Christ Fellowship Church.
Laura Leigh Latta
Junior Board Member
Laura Leigh Latta is an Assistant Vice President in the Government Affairs Department of Protective Life Corporation. She has helped coordinate state government strategy and outreach for the Company since 2011, and represents Protective at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as well as in front of various state insurance departments. Ms. Latta has served in several leadership roles within the industry, including President of both the Association of Alabama Life Insurance Companies and the Association of Tennessee Life Insurance Companies. She is a board member on the Alabama, Vermont, and Tennessee state guaranty associations, serving as Vice Chair of the latter. Laura Leigh is active at the American Council of Life Insurers, the industry’s primary trade association, serving as a voting member of the State Legislative Strategy Group and participating in several state- and internationally-focused committees. Ms. Latta is also active in the community, and has served on the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, and as a fundraising coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Birmingham. She is a member of the Alabama Writer’s Coalition, the Government Relations section of the Alabama Bar Association, GASP, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, and a number of other, local organizations. Ms. Latta graduated with distinction from the University of the South, Sewanee and with honors from the University of Alabama School of Law where she obtained a Juris Doctor degree.