Liz Coyle
Executive Director
Liz Coyle joined Georgia Watch in February 2012. She leads the team of nonprofit advocates serving as a powerful statewide voice for Georgia’s consumers on policies that open doors to the financial mainstream, increase financial security, improve access to affordable healthcare and lower consumers’ energy burden. As Executive Director, Liz manages the organization’s operations and staff and oversees all Georgia Watch impact areas.
In addition to her role with Georgia Watch, Liz serves on the board of directors of the Consumer Federation of America. In 2018, she accepted a one-year appointment to the Consumer Advisory Board of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In 2021, she testified before the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs to share insights on protecting consumers in the pandemic recovery economy. Liz served as vice chair of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative board from 2018 to 2021. As a civic leader, she champions community causes. Currently, she is board chairman of the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy. Previously, she served on the board of directors of the Atlanta BeltLine. Liz has more than 25 years of experience as a nonprofit manager, communications professional and grassroots advocate. She received a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Virginia.
Natasha Taylor
Deputy Director
Natasha Taylor is the Deputy Director at Georgia Watch. Natasha brings a diverse knowledge and understanding of public policy, community outreach, consumer relations, and healthcare access to the team. She is dedicated to increasing access to quality healthcare, access to clean energy, and improving financial literacy and well-being for marginalized populations across Georgia.
Natasha has always had a passion for advocacy. She discovered that she could turn her passion into a career while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at Georgia State University (GSU). After graduating Summa Cum Laude, Natasha continued to advance on her academic path by pursuing a master’s degree in Gerontology at the GSU Gerontology Institute. While in the program, she was chosen to work as a fully funded research assistant with the Convoys of Care study, focusing on how to support informal care networks in assisted living communities in ways that promoted residents’ ability to age in place with optimal resident, and informal and formal caregiver quality of life. She also received the Fulton County Gerontology Award and graduated with honors. Throughout her college career, Natasha expressed a strong desire to work in the fields of public policy and advocacy to help improve the quality of life for marginalized populations across the state. After graduation, Natasha served as Deputy Director of the Georgia Council on Aging where she was successful in helping to lobby for many changes at the State legislature including quality-of-care improvements in Personal Care Homes and Nursing Homes, funding for a Behavioral Health Coach project in Tifton and Albany, Disaster Planning Equity for Senior Care Providers, and increased funding for Home and Community Based Services. In addition to her vast academic knowledge base, Natasha brings over 15 years of management, event planning, and consumer relations experience to her position.
Gracie Landram
Health Policy Analyst
Gracie is a Health Policy Analyst for Georgia Watch. She has a background in research, communications and advocacy. Gracie is passionate about addressing social determinants of health and pushing for greater health equity in Georgia through improved policies and meaningful community engagement.
Gracie always had a passion for health. While pursuing a biomedical sciences degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), she discovered her love of public health and working to improve the social determinants of health. She finished her time at UAB with a major in public health and a minor in political science. She continued her education at Emory University pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration on policy and human rights. At Emory, Gracie was involved in the Rollins Election Day Initiative, working as the Community Engagement Chair to conduct voter registration drives, education campaigns and political discussion events. She also served the graduate student body as the first Vice President of Sustainability for the Graduate Student Government Association. As a graduate student, she worked in neurodivergent education, refugee health, environmental health advocacy and domestic violence research.
Whitni Cannon
Program Manager
Whitni Cannon serves as Georgia Watch’s Program Manager. She has a background in community engagement, education, advocacy, and project management. Whitni’s role primarily focuses on implementing and overseeing work plans for program projects related to our impact area. She also assists with leading consumer-facing trainings and workshops in collaboration with grant partners.
Whitni is passionate about educating and equipping underserved communities with information and resources to advocate for themselves. She received her education from Georgia State University in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Human Learning & Development. In her previous role with the City of Brookhaven, Whitni oversaw program development, citizen engagement and strategic planning. She led the planning of seasonal programs for multiple recreational facilities and spearheaded an annual fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Atlanta.
Candy Tookes
Program Assistant
With a passion for serving communities and fostering positive change, Candy will play a vital role in supporting the organization’s mission and initiatives. She has a rich background of expertise spanning over 15 years and a heart for service. Candy is consistently driven by a deep-seated commitment to helping others achieve their objectives. She assists in managing schedules, facilitating communications, and handling logistics to ensure smooth program operations and effective coordination. Candy thrives in environments where collaboration and teamwork are paramount, making her a valuable addition to our collective efforts to address pressing consumer issues and advocate for policy change.
Board of Directors
Tedra Cannella
Chair
Attorney, Cannella Snyder LLC
Sheronn Harris
Secretary
Attorney, The Harris Firm, P.C.
Sharon R. Odom, CPA
Treasurer
Financial Services Consultant
Maura George, MD
Assistant Professor, Emory University
Berneta L. Haynes, JD
Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center
Keisha Reneé Callins, MD, MPH
Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Community Health Care Systems, Inc.
Johnny Smith , B.S. CACII
Street Medicine Outreach Team, Substance Abuse Counselor, Mercy Care
Advisory Board
Hon. Roy Barnes
The Barnes Law Group
Clark Howard
Nationally Syndicated Talk Show Host,
The Clark Howard Show
Beth Cayce
Founder & CEO, CaraVita Home Care and CaraVita Senior Care
Dennis Creech
Founder, Southface Energy Institute
Raymond P. Carpenter
Attorney, Carpenter & Associates, LLC
Jimmy Hurt
Attorney, Hurt Stolz
