Grace Chimezie is a senior program officer II for the Community Engagement Exchange and Community Solutions Program.

In her current role, Grace works with data to improve the experience of leaders engaging in a US Department of State-sponsored exchange program. In her role, she manages the recruitment of over 200 globally engaged and emerging leaders who are working to address local challenges and promote their impact through strategic communications.

Before joining IREX, Grace worked at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), in Washington, DC., where she contributed to technical research related to open and participatory governance for the Philippines, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ukraine. She also worked briefly at the World Bank’s visitor center, engaging with over 500 visitors to share the World Bank's role in improving SDG goals in communities globally. Grace has five years of experience working as a conflict journalist in Nigeria, covering the Boko-haram crisis in the Northeast region.

Grace holds dual master’s degrees, an MS in computer science from Westcliff University, an MA in communications and technology from Georgetown University, and a BA in mass communication from Bingham University.