Grace grew up in Shelby, Montana and graduated from Concordia University-Portland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She worked in development in the agricultural sector, focusing her efforts on sustainable local food systems. Grace graduated in May from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University with a Master of Arts degree in Arab Studies. There, she specialized in political economy, international relations, and democracy and governance. In her free time, Grace enjoys playing classical piano, watching movies and documentaries, and has recently taken up running.