IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlanta, 16 October 2025
Two new board members have joined the Georgia Community Trust of the Bobby Dodd Institute (GCT of BDI).
Emma Barry was introduced to BDI by current board member Kristen Lewis. As a person with a disability herself, Emma is passionate about sharing her experiences and serving the community. She also serves on the Boards of the Center for the Visually Impaired and Better Living Together, Inc.
Emma works at Harrison LLP, where she provides professional legal counsel to families who have loved ones with disabilities. She helps them formulate comprehensive Special Needs Estate Plans that address the goals of the entire family while giving special consideration to the unique needs of loved ones with different abilities. She also represents clients in Probate Courts throughout Georgia to secure or transfer legal guardianships and conservatorships for adults and minors.
Outside of work, Emma enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring nature with her family, as well as singing and practicing instruments during her family “band” sessions.
Trace Brooks has also been professionally involved in serving the disability community. He is an attorney at Trace Brooks Law LLC, a full-service estate planning and probate law firm in Atlanta. Through his estate planning and elder law practice, he assists individuals with disabilities and their families in establishing and maintaining financial security while preserving access to essential public benefits and enhancing quality of life.
Beyond his legal experience, Trace brings a strategic mindset and a strong commitment to community service. He has served in leadership roles with several nonprofit organizations, including as board chair for the Coldharbour Institute.
“We are honored to welcome two incredible professionals to the GCT of BDI Board. As the Trust continues to grow, we will rely on them to provide strategic guidance and expertise so we can serve more people and help secure their financial stability,” said Veronica Rohlack, VP of Contracts and Compliance at BDI.
About Georgia Community Trust of BDI
The Georgia Community Trust of BDI is a Pooled Special Needs Trust (PSNT) available to any Georgia resident living with a disability. The PSNT offers individuals and their loved ones a vehicle to save money for the future needs of the beneficiary, without losing eligibility for public benefit programs such as Medicaid and SSI. Established in 1997, it has been helping families ensure a quality of life without risking their eligibility for government benefits. The Georgia Community Trust of BDI currently manages over 600 accounts. 260 of these accounts are actively managed each month by the Bobby Dodd Institute Team.
