Meet our Founder
Emily Grace, MPA
With more than 12 years of experience in disability services, Emily Grace has dedicated her career to creating innovative programs that expand employment opportunities, foster independence, and build more inclusive communities.
Her professional experience includes launching a nationally recognized Project SEARCH employment program in Asheville, North Carolina; serving as Assistant Adult Services Manager at Els for Autism; consulting with provider agencies nationwide through SimplyHome; serving on the Board of Directors for Open Hearts Art Center; and founding both Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Love and Good Grace Foundation. During her work with Project SEARCH, Emily was honored as Distinguished Educator of the Year by The Arc of North Carolina for her leadership in employment training.
What drives this work is deeply personal.
Growing up alongside her sister, Noelle, Emily witnessed firsthand many of the barriers people with disabilities face when accessing meaningful opportunities. That perspective, combined with more than a decade working alongside thousands of individuals with diverse abilities, reinforced a belief that continues to guide everything she does: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning, employment, or independence. Every person deserves the opportunity to explore their interests, build confidence, and discover a path that reflects their own goals and strengths.
Throughout her career, Emily recognized significant gaps in traditional service models. Too often, programs expect individuals to fit into predetermined pathways rather than creating space for exploration, creativity, and person-led growth. She believes meaningful employment can take many forms—from competitive integrated employment and entrepreneurship to volunteering and other valued community roles—and that every individual deserves the opportunity to define success for themselves.
That belief led to the creation of Good Grace Foundation.
Today, Emily provides consulting and national speaking on inclusive workforce development, innovative program design, and creating meaningful pathways to employment and community inclusion. Through Good Grace Foundation, she is developing programs that are engaging, practical, and replicable—models that organizations across the country can adapt to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities and help communities recognize the value and abilities of all people.
