Our Staff
Who we are
The small staff here at GCOA is committed to advocating for the seniors of Georgia. We rely heavily on our Council Members and their time and efforts and we are always looking for more people who are interested in advocacy for seniors. If you would like to volunteer for us in any capacity, please complete this form and submit it to us so we can get you started!
" Unity is strength...when there is teamwork and collaboration
wonderful things can be achieved."
- Mattie Stepanek
Debra Stokes, Executive Director
Debra Stokes brings more than four decades of professional, non-profit, and government relations experience to the role. While the positions have changed, her value to each organization has been defined by her ability to coalesce the many resources necessary to achieve defined goals. To achieve the mission of the Council effectively and efficiently, bringing together multiple stakeholders is critical.
Among other positions, Ms. Stokes spent eight years “Under the Gold Dome” supporting the members of the Georgia General Assembly as they traverse the Legislative process to provide for the needs of all the citizens of our State. More recently, she served as Executive Director of the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) at Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon. GHRIC was created to specifically address the healthcare needs of citizens living in Georgia’s rural communities.
Ms. Stokes currently lives in Marietta and is married to Ralph Stokes. The couple has been married for 46 years and have two adult daughters and two teenage granddaughters.
Ashley Burton, Deputy Director
Ashley Burton began her career in human services after completing her undergraduate degree in Political Science at Valdosta State University.
Prior to her start in the Commissioner’s Office at the Department of Human Services, she interned during the 2014-2015 legislative session with the Georgia General Assembly, House of Representatives. Since then, she has spent her career advocating for Georgia’s constituents by ensuring they had equal and appropriate access to the Department’s services while working in the Office of Legislative Affairs and Outreach and most recently, External Affairs through Constituent Services. During this period, she expanded her knowledge surrounding the issues faced by older adults and developed a passion towards addressing those issues to enhance the lives of those affected.
Outside of the office, Ashley enjoys traveling with her fiancé and spending time with family and friends.
Internships Available
Internships for students in MSW, Gerontology or Public Policy programs are encouraged to apply if they have an interest in the older adult population, advocacy and policy development. The internship terms vary based on the requirements of your degree program. If you would like more information about our internships available please contact us via the Contact Us page.