Board of Directors
Janay Anthony (she/her) — Co-Chair
Janay Anthony (she/hers) is an astrologer and tarot reader based in Chicago, IL. Her study of the subjects spans over a decade, and she incorporates both traditional and modern techniques into her practice. In early 2020, she started getting actively involved in the astrological community and noticed an alarming lack of accessibility in the field. Along with accessibility, Janay is passionate about bringing inclusion and representation to astrology. As a queer, multi-disabled, Black woman, she understands the pain of being part of communities that don’t hold space for such intersecting identities, and It’s her goal to create that space in astrology.
Outside of astrology, Janay’s interests span across a wide array. She graduated with a BA in Screenwriting in 2017. She also has a background in acting and is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. In 2023, Janay graduated with a MA in Couples and Family Counseling and incorporates her artistry and spiritual practices into her work as a couples and sex therapist.
Melissa Marklin (she/her) — Social Media Manager
Melissa (she/her) practices Hellenistic astrology in Phoenix, Arizona. Her interest in astrology started at a young age, but she started to study it more seriously after leaving academia, in 2020. Now, she uses her astrological knowledge to support her freelance work, including administrative assistance, social media marketing, and podcast production. In all her work, her focus is on accessibility and inclusion, with hopes of opening up opportunities for greater representation in the astrological community.
When not looking to the stars, she’s either reading, watching the latest hit TV show, or working on her podcast, In Bed With Books. Her academic background is quite the hodgepodge of liberal arts studies, starting at Arizona State University with Anthropology, Art History, and Literature, particularly in the Classical period. Later she attended King’s College London, receiving a Master’s in 18th century studies.
Anna DunLany (she/her) — Treasurer
Anna DunLany is a traditionally influenced modern astrologer who specializes in natal and relationship readings. She started studying astrology in her teens, reading every book and internet forum she could find, then formally studied with Samuel Reynolds, and opened her professional practice in 2022. With her background in non-profit fundraising and volunteer management, Anna is focused on how AYA can best support astrologers educationally and financially, while connecting with one another in meaningful ways.
A deep love of history, creative writing, and her Gemini MC led Anna to combine her academic and esoteric interests and write her newsletter, Overly Personal Astrology, where she writes personal essays and astrological analysis of herself and historical figures. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Masha (she/her) – Secretary
Masha (she/her) is a psychedelic doula and Hellenistic astrologer based in Chicago working at the crossroads of plant medicine and celestial symbolism. Her path to this work grew out of more than a decade of personal experience with plant medicines and a deepening awareness of the gap between transformative ceremonial journeys (especially those held in jungle or retreat settings), and the reality of returning to “ordinary”, structured life. She supports clients in preparation and integration using the symbolic language of the sky to ground post-psychedelic metamorphosis.
Masha holds a bachelor’s in psychology and bioethics. Her astrological education began in the Vedic tradition, where she developed depth in the nakshatras and the dasha timing system. She has since expanded her practice through study at Nightlight Astrology, incorporating Hellenistic techniques to her approach.
Ames Doyle (they/them) – Education Director
Ames Elliot Doyle (they/them) is a traditional astrologer and writer from Atlanta, Georgia. After a decade of being a hobbyist, Ames began a focused study of astrology in 2024 and is currently a student of Kelly Surtees. They founded the Atlanta Astrology Club in 2025 with the hopes of bringing astrologers of all experience levels together to share knowledge and cultivate community.
With a Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in Gemini, Ames is a passionate, life-long student. They enjoy writing about the current celestial weather and can often be found reading three astro books at once, journaling and meme-ifying all things pop culture. They’re happy to be here.
Skye – Social Media Manager
Skye is a traditional astrologer from New York City, primarily using Hellenistic techniques. She has been studying astrology for over half a decade and loves bringing her work into both electional and natal astrology. Her approach focuses on translating traditional techniques into digestible fun explanations and metaphors for a modern audience.
When she’s not thinking about the celestial bodies above, you can find her traveling, roller skating, watching anime and creating random projects.
Noah (he/they) – Board Member
Noah DeFranceschi (he/they) is an astrologer-creative currently based in Portland, Oregon. He first jumped into the deep end of astrology in 2023 and completed Nightlight Astrology’s Year 1 course in 2026. He is a mental healthcare worker by day, multidisciplinary artist and mercurial jester by night. Using fictional characters, music, and dreams, he enjoys discovering more about the inherent multiplicity of the self in a light and fun way. Weaving this together with his astrological practice is an ongoing project as he strengthens his foundations. He is particularly passionate about the faces, as well as antiscia and contra-antiscia.
M (all pronouns) – Board Member
M (All pronouns) is a Sydney-based Pagan who practices divination, mainly astrology and cartomancy. M has a background in science, secondary teaching, web design, and an active pursuit in counselling. They look to (somehow) combine all this into something that can promote equity and accessibility, as someone who is neurodivergent and disabled. With a Leo Sun and a Cancer Moon, their astrology practice is as queer and eclectic as their pagan practice, using multiple traditions and schools to explore opportunities of growth.