Board of Directors
President: Kristen Kelling (Grand Rapids, MI)
First Vice President: Maria Kristic (Albany, NY)
Second Vice President: Megan Meigs (San Leandro, CA)
Secretary: Joseph Hernandez (Owensboro, KY)
Treasurer: Moe Carpenter (West Des Moines, IA)
Immediate Past President: Amanda Selm (Louisville, KY)
Director: Michael Babcock (North Bend, OR)
Director: Justin Graben (Valley, AL)
Director: Amber Grant (Nashville, TN)
Director: Lindsey LaVere (North Street, MI)
Director: Vika Trussell (Sharpsburg, GA)
OFFICER BIOS
Kristen Kelling – President
Kristen currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work. She works as an Independent Living Specialist with Disability Advocates of Kent County as well as a Community Connector with the Kent County Health Department. She currently serves as the chair of the convention and membership committees for Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI.)
Maria Kristic – First Vice President
Maria works as a financial analyst for a New York state public authority. She holds a JD in Finance Transactions and an MBA in Finance. She joined ACB in 2016 and has held leadership positions in several of its affiliates and committees since then. Maria has been a member of ACB Next Generation since its founding. She serves as its Treasurer, chair of its Budget and Finance Committee, and is a member of its Constitution, Bylaws, and Resolutions Committee and Fundraising Committee. Maria lives in upstate New York with her Chocolate Lab guide dog.
Megan Meigs – Second Vice President
Megan Meigs resides in San Leandro, CA with her husband and son, along with her guide dog, her husband’s guide dog, and two cats. Originally from Iowa, Megan moved to California in 2005 to attend college where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice. She enjoys being a stay-at-home mom. She has been a member of ACB NextGen for several years and serves on the Awards, Constitution and Bylaws, Convention, and Fundraising Committees. She is also a member of her local ACB chapter and Guide Dog Users International.
Joseph Hernandez – Secretary
Joseph was born and raised in California, now resides in Kentucky, and has Retinopathy of Prematurity. He attended Los Angeles Harbor Community College where he earned three associate degrees in social behavioral health, health and fitness, and arts and humanities. He has worked as a DJ since age 14, and he goes by DJ Vision. He has been active throughout his life, riding bikes, skateboarding, rafting, and writing personal watercraft.
Moe Carpenter – Treasurer
Moe Carpenter returns to the ACB NextGen board as the new Treasurer. Residing in Iowa with her husband and four children, she has been a member of ACB NextGen, the Iowa Council of the United Blind, and ACB Families. She created her “Unseen Strands” YouTube channel about her life as a blind fiber artist. A founding member of Penny Forward, she is working toward becoming an Accredited Financial Counselor and is already becoming the first blind You Need A Budget Certified Spendfulness Coach. She is passionate about helping blind parents find community and is working to develop a chapter of ACB Families for blind parents and parents of blind children. Most recently, she is developing her Money Matters with Moe financial coaching and counseling personality.
Amanda Selm – Immediate Past President
Amanda is from Louisville, KY. When she is not handling ACB Next Generation business, her full-time job is being a wife and a mom of two girls. She is an active member and a founder of KCB Next Generation and an active member of the Kentucky Council of the Blind. One of Amanda’s newest favorite areas of interest is advocacy. She enjoys spending time with family, from attending gatherings to going on vacation. Her other interests include knitting, photography, event planning, and yoga. “ACB Next Generation has something for everyone, and my hope is that you find your place within our family,” Amanda says.
DIRECTOR BIOS
Michael Babcock – Director
As an expert in audio and customer service, Michael’s career is built on a passion for technology and helping others understand its uses. As a co-founder of Unmute Presents, a live technology Q&A on ACB Community every Tuesday, he is committed to making technology approachable and user-friendly. He believes in empowering individuals to confidently navigate the digital world, simplifying the complexities of technology to enhance learning and exploration.
Justin Graben – Director
Justin Graben is from Valley, AL. A few of his hobbies include music and amateur radio, or ham radio. He has been involved in ACB NextGen for a little over a year and serves on the Programs and Fundraising Committees.
Amber Grant – Director
Amber Grant resides in the Nashville, TN area but is originally from New Jersey. She has been a member since 2020 and has served on the Publications Committee since 2023. She loves to read and write and enjoys serving on the committee so she can share her unique experiences with others. Amber works for the Department of Children and Families where she assists people with their Medicaid and Food Stamp benefits. Prior to her current role, she worked in a call center and has been a website accessibility tester. In her spare time, she loves to hang out with friends and family, listen to music, attend concerts, and travel (she has been to almost every U.S. state).
Lindsey LaVere – Director
Lindsey LaVere lives in North Street, Michigan. iIn December, she was elected for another term as a Board of Director of Next Generation. She serves on the Programs, Membership, and Fundraising Committees. Prior, to joining Next Generation, she served as Secretary for her local chapter, Blue Water League of the Blind, within the Michigan affiliate. Outside of her involvement in Next Generation and Michigan, she teaches an adaptive dance class at her local dance studio. Dance has been an important part of her life, before and after my vision loss.
Vika Trussell – Director
Vika, residing in Sharpsburg, Georgia, thrives as the co-chair of the Public Relations Committee and a member of the Programs Committee. Passionate about shaping the future for young blind and visually impaired leaders, Vika embraces her role in the Next Generation affiliate. Beyond her community involvement, she finds joy in reading, spending time with family and friends, and listening to music. Vika is a dynamic individual, weaving together her volunteer commitments with a rich tapestry of personal interests and connections.
COMMITTEE LEADERS
Advocacy/Legislative Committee – Aaron Espinoza, Chair
Awards Committee – Joseph Hernandez, Chair
Budget/Finance Committee – Moe Carpenter, Chair
Constitution and Bylaws/Resolutions Committee – Matt Selm, Chair
Convention Committee – Amanda Selm, Co-Chairs
Fundraising Committee – Moe Carpenter and Lindsey LaVere, Co-Chairs
Membership Committee – Matt Selm, Chair
Programs Committee – Amanda Selm, Chair
Public Relations and eCommunications Committee – Vika Trussell, Chair
Publications Committee – Greg Lindberg, Chair
Website Committee – Michael Babcock, Chair
Last updated: March 25, 2025