Over the course of her career, Grace has spearheaded a number of impactful economic development initiatives in Durham, North Carolina through the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Her brilliant strategic oversight led to the development and implementation of a groundbreaking roadmap for inclusive and equitable development. She has also overseen multi-year plans which includes strategic alliances with public private partners yielding over $400M in private investments.
But while her award-winning work is leaving her own mark on the world, Grace is more committed to carrying forth the indelible legacy of her grandmother, the late Madam Grace Welsing Ayensu, a former Member of Parliament in the Republic of Ghana. Madame Ayensu devoted her life to service, and it is her example that fueled Grace’s passion for inspiring and elevating others, particularly women, on the Continent and beyond.
Grace is an alumna of North Carolina Central University with a BA in Political Science and an MPA in Public Administration. She was also a distinguished adjunct professor at the university, teaching in the areas of Political Science, World Civics and Public Administration.