Cindy Martin is a digital media pioneer, nature lover and community supporter. Martin is the Founder and CEO of media brands; Bham Now, The Bama Buzz and Hville Blast. She serves as Director-at-Large for the Downtown Rotary and is a Board Member for the Black Warrior Riverkeeper.
Previously, Martin was President of Alabama Media Group and the founding CEO of AL.com where she led the company from its inception, for 16 years. Before moving back home to Alabama, Martin was VP of Sales and Marketing for Magellan Search Engine in San Francisco, one of the first public search engines on the Internet. She started her career in the Leadership Continuity Program at corporate AT&T in New Jersey and served on the founding team of AT&T’s Internet service offerings.
Martin received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, ’84 cum laude and an MBA, ’86 both from the University of Alabama.
A native of Bessemer, Alabama, Martin is married to Cliff and lives in Birmingham.
Yolanda Northrop Sullivan, a distinguished professional hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, has left an indelible mark on the realms of corporate leadership and social advocacy. With a multifaceted career that spans across the corporate sector and the non-profit arena, Yolanda has consistently demonstrated a passion for making a positive impact on both individuals and communities.
Serving as the Corporate Human Resource Director at Vulcan Materials Company, a leading firm in the construction materials industry, she played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s human capital strategies. In 2013, Sullivan retired after a 30-year career at Vulcan Materials, with 17 years of prior roles in accounting and finance in Birmingham and Atlanta. Her expertise in fostering a positive corporate culture, promoting diversity and inclusion, and implementing effective talent management practices contributed to Vulcan Materials Company’s reputation as an employer of choice.
Yolanda’s journey from the corporate sector to non-profit leadership came as no surprise to many. Known for her strategic vision and compassionate leadership style, Yolanda is recognized as a trailblazer who bridges the gap between corporate success and community impact. Her ability to navigate complex challenges with grace and determination has earned her respect and admiration within both the corporate and non-profit sectors.
In assuming the role of CEO at the YWCA Central Alabama, Yolanda’s visionary leadership became the driving force behind the organization’s evolution into a dynamic force for positive change. Under her guidance, the YWCA elevated the strong legacy of programs and initiatives for women facing adversity. Yolanda’s ability to leverage her corporate background to enhance the YWCA’s organizational efficiency and impact was evident, as she implemented strategic initiatives that fostered community engagement, empowerment, and social justice.
Yolanda retired in December 2018 after serving as CEO of the YWCA Central Alabama for five years. She volunteered with the agency for 20 years, with past service as president of both the Junior Board and Board of Directors. For her services, Yolanda was honored as the 2019 YWCA Central Alabama Woman of Valor. Additionally, she was tapped to serve the YWCA USA with speaking and panel engagements in Washington, D.C. related to women’s rights and YWCA programs.
Today, Yolanda is a consultant with The Penny Foundation, a community-trust with a mission to connect people, organizations, and resources in the areas of education, community development, and economic development. She utilizes her past CPA and SPHR experiences to assist this developing non-profit however they need her.
She has past service on the boards of Holy Family Cristo Rey High School, United Way of Central Alabama, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Birmingham Museum of Art, St. Vincent’s Health System, and The Bell Center. A graduate of Momentum Women Leaders, Leadership Birmingham, Leadership Alabama, and Project Corporate Leadership, she was named one of three “Women to Watch” by the Birmingham Business Journal, Positive Maturity’s Top 50 Over 50 and one of the Women Who Shape the State by AL.com.
Yolanda graduated from The University of Alabama with a B.S in Accounting cum laude. She met her husband Ronald Sullivan at UA who also obtained an Accounting degree. The Sullivan’s were blessed with a daughter (UA 1997) and a special-needs son. She is devoted to improving her faith with a personal motto to simply “do good and avoid evil.”
Yolanda and Ronald Sullivan have been married for 34 years and they live in Homewood, Alabama with their son Samuel. Their daughter LaKeshia (Howard Hunt) and grandson Carter reside nearby.