The Board

Aimee Copeland- Mercier, LCSW, MA, CHt, CCTP, RYT

Founder, Visionary, Member of the Board

Aimee Copeland Mercier is a psychotherapist, activist, certified yoga instructor, and the founder of Aimee Copeland Foundation. She is also founder of Grant Park Counseling Group in Atlanta, GA as well as Asheville Center for Inner Healing in Asheville, NC. Aimee holds dual masters degrees in psychology and social work, is a Licensed Clinical Social

Worker in Georgia and North Carolina, and attended UGA for undergraduate studies in psychology.

Sarah Rick

Secretary

Sarah Hereford Rick, born and raised in Charlottesville, Va., graduated from Emory University in 1975 with a degree in History of Art.  A resident of in-town Atlanta ever since, her career has been devoted to healthy foods and community-focused restaurants. Sarah has owned and operated a unique natural foods grocery store and several restaurants in in town Atlanta neighborhoods. She has also been a valuable member of other foundation and organization boards promoting public schools and education.

Alan Payne

Alan Payne is an associate with a law firm in Midtown Atlanta, Bendin Sumrall & Ladner, where he is a member of the medical malpractice group. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Duke University and his juris doctorate from Emory University Law School.

Elizabeth Dyer Cobbs

Elizabeth “Lil” Dyer Cobbs is a licensed medical esthetician, holds a degree in broadcast journalism, and founded Atlanta’s first medical spa, Seraphim Skin Care. As a small business owner in the Atlanta area since 1997, Lil is well connected within the community. She has grown her business from the ground up, demonstrating skills in marketing, networking, planning and executing a successful business. Seraphim Skin Care has won a multitude of awards since its opening, including Best Men’s Facial in 2016. For the past two years, Lil has held a fundraiser, the Angel Gala, to raise money for FODAC. Lil brings her energy, creativity, business-mindedness and event planning skills to the Aimee Copeland Foundation.

Jacy Norville

Treasurer

Jacy Norville is a healthcare revenue cycle leader with 27 years of experience in healthcare revenue cycle management in both hospital and physician practice settings. Her expertise includes Revenue Cycle Management, charge master maintenance, coding compliance, hospital and physician auditing, and hospital billing. She has managed large teams and has extensive experience with denials management and working with coding and compliance departments for educational training, clinical documentation compliance, and workflow optimization.

Cara Herzog

CDE, Certified Diversity Executive, Senior Leader @Southwire

Experienced Director of Diversity and Inclusion with a demonstrated history of working in the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry. Skilled in Management, Training, Editing, Public Speaking, and Public Relations. Strong human resources professional with a Chief Diversity Executive focused in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from The Institute for Diversity Certification .

Cara is also a member of ACF’s Volunteer Committee and is spearheading an effort to mobilize the Southwire staff to volunteer for ACF events as they have an entire network of volunteers throughout their organization.  In addition, she has invited Aimee to speak to the Southwire workforce and is committed to corporate giving to Aimee Copeland Foundation.

She has been married to her husband Matt for almost 10 years. They live in Carrollton with their children, BG, 7, son Hayes, 4, and their 8-year-old German Shepherd, Letty. When they get the chance, they love supporting their favorite sports teams, including Atlanta United, Atlanta Falcons and the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. If she gets a few minutes alone, which is rare, she loves a solo run on the Greenbelt.

John Branan

John Branan is a native Atlantan and a lifelong resident of DeKalb County. He attended DeKalb County schools and Mercer university where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude with a major in history and a minor in religion. He earned a Master of Theological Studies at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University

John has worked for nearly 25 years in the enrollment services sector of post-secondary education. He has held the position of financial aid officer, corporate business manager, and registrar. John views his work life as a calling and enjoys assisting people in achieving their educational and personal life goals.

John is a lifelong Episcopalian and has taken an active and intentional role in his local parish church. He has served two terms on the Vestry and has been elected warden. He had served in numerous roles on both the diocesan and parish levels.

John is an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and has been since childhood. He enjoys watching sports, viewing movies particularly classic cinema, and listening to music.

Ben Oxley

My name is Ben Oxley, I am 36, and have cerebral Palsy. I have been in documentaries, and done various advocating projects. I enjoy getting tattoos, sky diving, and just being outside living my life to the fullest. I’ve also done work with legislators to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Lindsay Wilbanks

Lindsay Wilbanks is a seasoned property management professional with more than 15 years of experience leading high-performing communities across Georgia. As Property Manager for United Residential Properties, she has been nationally recognized in the ORA Top 1% by J Turner for excellence in operations, occupancy, and resident engagement.

Throughout her career, Lindsay has overseen record-breaking lease-ups, maintained exceptional occupancy rates, and driven substantial revenue growth across both LIHTC and market-rate properties. Her leadership has earned her multiple honors, including Best of Georgia and ORA Top 1% Nationwide from 2021–2023.

Passionate about community and service, Lindsay brings her operational expertise and commitment to empowering others to her role on the Aimee Copeland Foundation Board. She is dedicated to advancing the foundation’s mission of inclusion, accessibility, and opportunity for people of all abilities.

Kevin Cobbs

Kevin Cobbs is an award-winning writer and creative producer with more than a decade of experience in storytelling, content development, and campaign strategy. Currently with Ideas United in Atlanta, he helps lead creative campaigns for brands, universities, and nonprofits including the NCAA, Sony PlayStation, Emory University, and the Arnold Palmer Foundation.

Prior to his current role, Kevin wrote and produced for The Dodo Kids, where his work earned over 100 million views on YouTube, and spent several years with Sesame Street, contributing to BAFTA award-winning digital projects that inspired and educated children worldwide. His portfolio also includes creative contributions to Spotify’s Gimlet Media and Opportunity Financial.

A graduate of Georgia State University, Kevin brings a storyteller’s perspective to the Aimee Copeland Foundation Board, supporting its mission to expand access, awareness, and inclusion for people of all abilities through creativity and connection.