POWERGRAMS

17 their community. "During the first few weeks of COVID safe-at-home orders, we thought, 'What can we do to help those front- line workers?' Some were also my parents' clients," she said. With huge needs looming for personal protective equipment, such as face masks and lab coats, Hong Kong Tailors was fortunate to have access to Egyptian cotton and Italian fabrics from mills in Europe and Asia. Hong Kong Tailors began providing handmade masks of two-ply cotton, with cloth straps and elastic to provide people comfort and support. In her spare time, Kirpalani has helped her parents making masks. "We worked with our suppliers to gather the raw materials — which were very hard to find here in the U.S. — and started making masks for doctors at UAB and Birmingham hospitals," she said. "We've made more than 1,000 masks, and counting, as we're continuing to do so. We also made lab coveralls for local hospitals." Last year, Kirpalani and her parents were happily planning her traditional, four-day Hindu dream wedding. They'd invited about 500 guests from throughout the world to attend the November 2020 event. Kirpalani and her mother booked a two-week shopping trip to India in March, before travel restrictions hit. Instead, Kirpalani and her then-fiancé, Vinay, pushed up the date to Aug. 30, 2020, and married in the presence of a few close relatives. "No one attended without a mask, and everyone was tested for COVID-19," she said. There was a silver lining despite the pandemic disruption: Kirpalani ended up wearing her mother's wedding dress. Kirpalani and her husband have busy jobs. Vinay is a project manager for Health Systems Information Services at UAB Hospital, where one of his duties is to support the COVID-19 vaccination clinic. While the new couple juggles jobs and family responsibilities, Kirpalani is thankful the company is committed to helping employees achieve balance in their work and family life. "It takes work but having a supportive and understanding spouse makes it manageable," she said. "Boundaries are very important because working from home does pose its challenges. I always make sure I set aside time for my family weekly, and it's very important to create time and space while diving into a new marriage." Kirpalani is committed to being engaged in her community and to volunteering. A member of the Magic City Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization, she is also president of Echelon, the Salvation Army Junior Board in Birmingham. She began volunteering with the Salvation Army during college, serving on the dinner line on Thursday evenings with her sorority sisters. "Throughout the years, Salvation Army has had a special place in my heart as I see the work of the army 'doing the most good' in the community for the citizens of central Alabama," she said. "Whether it's ringing the red kettle outside shopping areas to provide donations back into the community or organizing a party celebrating Valentine's Day for children who live at the Center of Hope. Providing joy, support and being there for the residents of the Center of Hope brings me so much satisfaction." Kirpalani is thrilled to put her skills to good work at a company that is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the communities it serves. "I'm the first person in my immediate and extended family to work in corporate America, as my family are entrepreneurs," she said. "My parents feel very proud that I work for a company like Alabama Power." Kirpalani and Will Hardison on APSO project. Kirpalini volunteers her time for APSO as well as the Salvation Army.

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