Debra Nicholl has worked in Residential Aged Care and the community providing direct support to older people and their carers in South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. She joined ERA in 2006 and has held many distinct roles over the past 17 years, including Intake, Advocate, Senior Educator, Advocacy Manager, Programs Manager and Deputy CEO.

She has travelled across Victoria promoting the rights of older people, providing information to the community and education to aged care workers. Debra has spoken at many conferences on the rights of older people to live free from abuse and to receive person-centred care. She holds qualifications in Leadership and Management, Community Development and Mediation.