Meet Team AARP Louisiana!

The AARP Louisiana State Office comprises a diverse team of professionals, each bringing a unique range of expertise. Collaborating with dedicated volunteers, we strive daily to enhance the livability of communities across our state for you and your family.

Denise Bottcher is the State Director of AARP Louisiana and is responsible for advancing the organization’s social mission on behalf of Louisianans 50-plus and their families. With nearly 430,000 members and 22 volunteer leaders across the state, Denise leads the six-member team in Baton Rouge and New Orleans to help all generations live their best lives in their own homes and communities through advocacy, education and service.

Through her strategic guidance and leadership, Denise and her team have driven social change at the state and local level by working with policy makers, collaborative organizations, and dynamic volunteers. Family caregiving, health care, financial resilience, and livable communities are the state’s top priorities.

Denise joined AARP in 2010 as Associate State Director of Communications, overseeing the media and communications strategy for advocacy, community outreach and member communications.

Her career spans over 35 years in the private sector, government and non-profit arena. She has an extensive background in crisis communications, media relations, and reputation management. Among her varied experience, she served as the press secretary and official spokesperson for Governor Kathleen Blanco during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.

Sean Gasser

Alfred E. Mason serves as the volunteer state president. He leads Louisiana's all-volunteer Executive Council, dedicated to fulfilling AARP's mission and advancing its strategic priorities throughout communities across the state. In this role, he serves as the primary AARP volunteer spokesperson in Louisiana.

Alfred retired from Deluxe Check Printers, Inc. in 1995, where he held the position of department manager at the company's New Orleans plant. Notably, he also has a history of leadership within various organizations having previously served as the president of the AARP Gonzales Area Chapter 1449 and as the District Deputy Grand Master of the P.H. Masons. In the latter role, he oversaw the well-being of over 1,000 men and was responsible for the administration of 17 lodges.

As a dedicated AARP volunteer leader, Alfred actively contributes in a multitude of capacities to support the State Office team. He is a valued member of the Speakers Bureau and helps the national AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, helping callers address questions and concerns related to fraud and scams.

Alfred stands as a steadfast advocate for AARP's mission, championing the rights and interests of adults aged 50 plus at the state legislature. He has played a key role in recruiting, onboarding, and training volunteers. In 2021, he was honored with the Andrus Award for Community Service, AARP's most prestigious volunteer accolade.

Andrew Muhl has served as the state director of advocacy since 2013, contributing his strategic expertise to advance key initiatives for the 50+ demographic within the state legislature and various communities across Louisiana.

He has played a pivotal role in mobilizing thousands of grassroots advocacy volunteers. His efforts have yielded significant legislative victories, including the successful creation of the Community Options Waiver fund and increasing services for individuals who want to live at home. These achievements stand as a testament to his leadership, presence, and influence at the State Capitol. He has positively impacted several hundred thousand caregivers across the state by growing pensions for state retirees and more accessible healthcare options.

Andrew's ability to cultivate partnerships and relationships has translated into tangible support for family caregivers and overall improvements in the quality of life for Louisiana's elderly population.

Before joining AARP, Andrew dedicated six years to advocating for cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers with the American Cancer Society. He also served as policy advisor and legislative liaison in Governor Kathleen Blanco's administration.

LaTonya Scott is the Associate State Director of Communications for AARP Louisiana. She directs the state office’s communications strategies, ensuring AARP’s work is effectively shared across multiple channels.. She also spearheads the state’s fraud prevention initiatives, including the Louisiana Fraud Watch Network, and manages the Speakers Bureau, a team of trained volunteers delivering workshops across the state. Additionally, LaTonya serves as the lead staff liaison for the AARP Louisiana Executive Council, a distinguished group of volunteer leaders guiding strategic priorities statewide.

LaTonya joined AARP in 2016 as Director of Public Relations at Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC), where she earned recognition for guiding communications during the merger with Capital Area Technical College (CATC). Earlier in her career, she spent five years as a morning news producer at WAFB Channel 9 News.

A Baton Rouge native, LaTonya earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and her master’s degree in public relations from Southern University A&M.

Sean Gasser

Daphney Young, our senior program specialist, plays a pivotal role in managing the AARP Community Resource Center in New Orleans, spearheading the Age-Friendly initiative, and orchestrating volunteer service activities for the State Office.

Daphney's journey to AARP encompasses almost two decades of experience as a senior-level manager, professional recruiter, trainer, facilitator, and educator. She is renowned for her ability to cultivate positive learning environments, characterized by the strong rapport she builds with both participants and leadership. Moreover, her adeptness at responding swiftly to emerging societal needs and trends positions her as a highly valuable asset to AARP.

Although Daphney was born in Buffalo, NY, her connection to New Orleans runs deep, with more than 35 years of residency in the city. She holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Secondary Education from Dillard University. Her involvement as an active member and E-Board Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Alpha Beta Omega Chapter as well as her role as a proud board member of Le Sanctuary Book Club and the District 2 Community Enhancement Corporation, exemplify her commitment to community engagement and service.

Sean Gasser

Vanessa Eiland is the Senior Business Operations Analyst, managing the day-to-day operations of the state office and supporting the state’s 200 volunteers.

Before joining AARP in 2019, Vanessa worked as the Administrative Manager at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Louisiana State Office (CFF) overseeing the day-to-day operations, supporting event logistics, and managing volunteers.

Vanessa has a passion for volunteering and being a part of the community. She has volunteered on the elementary, middle school, and high school levels of local robotics clubs, and volunteers on the regional level for FIRST Robotics Louisiana – Mississippi for the last several years. She also volunteers at different community events, and at CFF events.

Vanessa has lived in the Baton Rouge community for the last 29 years. She has a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management from Louisiana State University Shreveport.

Lani Gholston is AARP Louisiana’s Outreach and Advocacy Director, where she shapes public policy by building coalitions, mobilizing community support, and advancing legislative and administrative priorities.

She is an accomplished community development professional with experience in grant writing, federal compliance monitoring, scaling nonprofit startups, and developing programs that strengthen communities—from reducing recidivism by connecting veterans and civilians with reentry support, to championing cross-cultural exchange in diplomatic settings abroad.

A passionate advocate for military families, Lani has supported the Military Spouse JD Network and worked directly with families impacted by Hurricane Florence while stationed at Camp Lejeune. She also spent three years overseas in Mexico and Burkina Faso before returning home to Louisiana to support AARP’s Livable Communities work in Shreveport and Baton Rouge.

The daughter of two Marines, Lani has a strong family tradition of military service and is committed to advancing opportunities for veterans and their families. She brings three years of prior AARP experience, a bachelor’s degree in business from Mount St. Mary’s University, and a J.D. in Common and Civil Law from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center.

Outside of work, Lani is an avid runner, often completing 10Ks as a charity runner for Hire Heroes USA, and volunteers with organizations that mentor teens and young adults.