Grace Semones values investing in people and community. As a leader, she is known for making spaces where people can connect, empowering others to find their voices, and creating an environment where everyone is heard.
This passion for mentorship and inclusivity is evident throughout Grace’s work with the Junior League of Alexandria (JLA) and The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). Under Grace’s leadership as the Membership Vice President of her League, the Membership Development Committee implemented a mentorship program for all activities to increase member retention, improve connections, and help members feel included. Additionally, as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Task Force Chairman, Grace has been instrumental in the development and implementation of a two-year strategic and annual plan to promote a culture of DEIB in her League, which includes long and short-term goals with a focus on member training. Previously, she also served as Provisional Admissions Chairman, nominating Committee Member, and Community Impact Research and Development Chair.
One of Grace’s most significant Junior League accomplishments was spearheading the first community needs forum, which brought a panel of key leaders in the Alexandria community and Junior League of Alexandria members together to discuss the community’s needs. The forum helped the League develop a clearer vision of the issues in the Alexandria community, leading them to include the focus area of Education and Mentorship of Safety and Life Skills for Women and Children.
Grace is also proud to have been selected as the first member from the Junior League of Alexandria—and one of 25 women overall—to be participate in the DEIB Workgroup for AJLI. In this capacity, she assisted and advised the Association in developing and maintaining a centralized organizational culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
In addition to her work for AJLI and the Junior League of Alexandria, Grace is Founder and President of the National Model United Nations Louisiana Tech Chapter, as well as a Board Member of Fostering Community and Hope House, District Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Alexandria, and Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Louisiana State University Eunice.
Grace has received awards both from her League and other organizations. She was presented with the Junior League President’s Award twice, first for her impactful work leading her League’s community forum, and later for her contribution to DEIB. She also received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from The Rotary Foundation. Professionally, Grace is employed as an Actuarial Analyst and is an Instructor of Mathematics at the Louisiana State University Eunice, as well as a Liaison between the Louisiana State University Eunice and Alexandria campuses.
Grace earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of West Florida.
