The list of appointments to the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission, reads like a list of Who’s Who in Georgia. Among the 22 appointments announced Tuesday by Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp are Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, Delta Air Lines executive Allison Ausband, and Stephanie Blank – Board Chair, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students and President, Naserian Foundation.
The task force was created by executive order on February 26, 2019, is comprised of public officials, law-enforcement, for-profit and non-profit organizations, healthcare officials, and subject matter experts who are dedicated to combating human trafficking in Georgia.
“It is my pleasure to officially welcome all members to the GRACE Commission,” said First Lady Kemp Tuesday afternoon. “I am confident that we have put together a great team of dedicated individuals who are well-equipped to shine a light on this terrible industry plaguing our state. I thank each member for giving their time and name to this effort and we look forward to the important work ahead.”
First Lady Kemp is serving as one of the Co-Chairs of the Commission, along with Jan Jones, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Vic Reynolds, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
The commission was created as a result of conversations First Lady Marty Kemp and Governor Brian Kemp had a lot with Georgia residents while travelling across the state on the campaign trail. One issue “struck close to home” First Lady Kemp said, and that was the rate of human trafficking in Georgia.
During a press conference earlier this year, First Lady Kemp said,
“At stops across the state, moms would tell me about their concerns about their children’s safety. They were truly worried that they could be in harm’s way. And I heard this from people of all walks of life. As Georgia’s first family we are obligated to make a difference, and we are taking action. We are unwilling to accept that our home state has one of the highest rates in the nation. We will give these victims a voice.”
The GRACE Commission will hold its first meeting next month – tentatively set for May 8, 2019.
Members of the Commission are:
Co-Chairs:
Marty Kemp – First Lady of Georgia
Jan Jones – Speaker Pro Tempore
Vic Reynolds – Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigations
Members
Allison Ausband – Senior Vice President of In-Flight Services, Delta Air Lines
Stephanie Blank – Board Chair, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students and President, Naserian Foundation
Sherry Boston – DeKalb County District Attorney
Mary Frances Bowley – Executive Director, Wellspring Living
Chris Carr – Georgia Attorney General
Dr. Meria Carstarphen – Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools
Geoff Duncan – Georgia Lieutenant Governor
Evia Golde – Community Advocate, United Way of Greater Atlanta
Donna Hyland – CEO, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Katie Kirkpatrick – Chief Policy Officer, Metro Atlanta Chamber
Dave McCleary – Vice Chair Rotary Action Group Against Slavery, Rotary International and Founder/CEO, End Human Trafficking Now
Danelle McCusker Rees – President of Human Resources US Domestic Operations, UPS
Jay Neal – Director, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
B.J. Pak – United States Attorney
Gene Rackley – Director of Government Relations, Coca-Cola Company
Tom Rawlings – Director, Division of Family and Children Services
Heather Stockdale – CEO, Georgia Cares
Michelle Wallace – Senior Vice President – Clinical Operations, Grady Health System
Camila Zolfaghari – Vice President of Policy, Street Grace
