The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Alabama recently welcomed new members to the organization’s board of directors. 

Board members are essential to the growth of ASF Alabama. By dedicating their time and leadership, they help ASF remain focused on the organization’s mission of preparing the next generation of health care professionals to create meaningful, sustainable change in the communities that need it most.

Though ASF Alabama board members come from a variety of professions, they all share a deep belief in the power of service, equity and community.  Their expertise and guidance help ASF forge ahead and empower the fellows to make a lasting impact.

Jacqui Jones

Jacqui Jones is the CEO and Founder of One Degree Marketing, a Birmingham-based marketing agency that provides strategic marketing support to businesses and organizations. She leads a team of 11 across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Jones is a graduate of The University of Alabama and alum the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses Program. She has been recognized as the American Marketing Association Birmingham Chapter Young Professional Marketer of the Year, a Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) Women to Watch, a BBJ Top 40 Under 40, and a BBJ CEO Awards finalist.

Jones also serves on the University of Alabama Women’s Initiative Advisory Board and Phase Foundation board to promote inclusion initiatives that provide positive impactful outcomes to people and communities close to her heart. She has partnered with national and global organizations such as the Small Business Development Center, Mastercard, BEYGood, and GoDaddy to provide marketing education and facilitation to entrepreneurs and small businesses supporting business and economic growth.

In 2019, she launched Elevation Academy, a marketing education platform designed to strengthen the marketing capacity of business and organization leaders. Elevation Academy is featured in Mastercard’s Digital Doors program as a resource for businesses across the country.

She has an amazing 10-year old son, Israel, and a 10-year old Husky named Milo.

“I joined the ASF board to lend whatever I can to further the mission to create healthier communities across Alabama,” Jones said. “The work fellows do leaves lasting memories and changes the trajectories of the lives they touch. I welcome any opportunity to support that work. I’m looking forward to sharing the work ASF does with as many people as I can. I am excited to join forces with other supporters to give my time, energy and resources to highlighting the hard work and dedication of our fellows.”

Collin Newberry

Collin Newberry works as an accountant at Protective Life Corporation in Birmingham. In his role, he focuses on accounting policy and regulatory matters related to the company’s insurance and investment activities, including the application of new accounting standards and evaluation of complex transactions. Prior to joining Protective, Collin worked as an auditor with EY. He holds degrees in Accounting from the University of Alabama.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Collin loves to spend time outdoors, serves in a leadership capacity at his church, volunteers as a musician, and helps lead a high school outdoor program focused on hiking and camping. He lives in Homewood with his wife Michelle and daughter Stella (13).

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join a healthy and growing organization with strong leadership,” Newberry said. “I’m especially drawn to ASF’s approach to serving the community — not only through impactful projects, but also through its commitment to developing future leaders. At this year’s Celebration of Service, I was amazed by the breadth and diversity of the projects pursued by ASF Fellows. I’m excited for the opportunity to broaden both my own and others’ awareness of the many ways we can support and serve our communities.”

Paris Pickens

Paris Pickens is a biopharmaceutical operations leader with more than a decade of experience in project management, strategic operations, and cross-functional leadership within the healthcare and life sciences industries. She currently serves as Associate Director of Technical Operations Project Management at BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where she leads initiatives focused on operational excellence, collaboration, and process improvement. Passionate about service, mentorship, and community impact, Pickens brings strong organizational leadership, strategic planning expertise, and a commitment to advancing meaningful missions. She holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

 “Joining the board for me meant contributing to something greater and meaningful where I could not only help aid in the growth of the fellows but see that their efforts lead to real, sustainable impact within communities,” Pickens said. “I am most looking forward to helping highlight ASF statewide and showcasing all of the incredible work the fellowship does.”

Andee Beierle 

 ASF Alabama also welcomed a new Fellow for Life (FFL)  representative to the board – Andee Beierle, who was part of the 2024-2025 class of fellows.

Beierle is a student in the MD-PhD program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she is currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroengineering. As a Fellow in the 2024–2025 cohort, she helped create and implement a physical education program for adults with developmental disabilities, work that reflects her dedication to improving health outcomes and expanding access to inclusive, community-based care for this population. As an aspiring pediatric surgeon, Beierle hopes to ensure that underserved populations receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.

 “My decision to join the ASF board as the FFL representative grew naturally from what the Schweitzer Fellowship meant to me as a Fellow,” Beierle said. “My project focused on developing a physical education program for adults with developmental disabilities, a cause that is deeply personal to me. My time as a Fellow taught me how powerful service is when it comes from a place of genuine connection, and being part of the ASF board will allow me to continue my commitment to serving others. As a recently graduated Fellow, I hope to bring a current perspective to the board and contribute meaningfully to conversations about the Fellowship’s direction and ongoing initiatives. It is such a privilege to serve on the board and give back to the community that gave so much to me.”