Janet Gracia Named Next Neighborhood House President
Longtime West Side resident, nonprofit executive and former client
to run 127-year-old social service agency
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Neighborhood House Board of Directors has named longtime West Side resident and nonprofit executive Janet Gracia as its next president. Neighborhood House has served as a multicultural, multilingual resource network for Saint Paul’s immigrants, refugees and low-income families since 1897. The organization serves 16,000 people annually and is a full-service hub for those seeking assistance with basic needs, from food to housing, and helps create future opportunities through family coaching and education programming.
When Gracia moved to Minnesota from Iowa in 1990 as a single mom, she turned to Neighborhood House for support and resources. Since then, she has dedicated herself to working for organizations that develop leadership and empower people to thrive in their communities. Gracia has worked for the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys for nearly 30 years, including more than 15 years in executive leadership roles. As the Senior Vice President of Culture and Impact, she currently oversees the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, human resources, and staff and volunteer culture.
“Neighborhood House is an essential pillar of the West Side, my home for more than 30 years,” said Gracia. “Because Neighborhood House was there for me when I needed help, I was able to thrive in so many areas of my life. I am honored to carry forward this mission and work side-by-side with staff and community to help us all thrive.”
Gracia will replace Nancy Brady, who is retiring after 10 years as president of Neighborhood House. In her tenure, Brady guided the effort to create a new strategic framework for Neighborhood House, which led to record fundraising for the organization, critical expansion of the housing stability program, and developing the most diverse board in the organization’s history. Her steady leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic ensured that services for the community continued and that the organization emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever.
“We are thrilled to welcome Janet to Neighborhood House. Her deep commitment to our mission and the community we serve will help propel our organization forward and drive transformative change,” said Neighborhood House Board Chair Luis Rosario. “We are grateful for Nancy’s steady leadership over the past decade. She has had a tremendous impact on our organization and the people we serve.”
About Janet
Janet Gracia is a seasoned leader with a rich history of service in both executive and community roles. With over 15 years of experience at the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, she has played pivotal roles in membership development, volunteer management, training, program development, and forging external partnerships.
During her tenure leading the Program division, Janet spearheaded initiatives that significantly expanded community engagement in underserved areas and secured substantial funding to enhance program offerings. As Chief Culture Officer, Chief of Staff, and Senior Vice President of Culture and People Impact, she prioritized Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Racial Justice work, driving strategic initiatives within the organization. Janet’s dedication to diversity and inclusion has been evident in her leadership, as she has overseen the implementation of strategies to enhance the cultural competency of Girl Scout staff, utilizing tools such as the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and the Intercultural Conflict Styles Assessment (ICS).
Janet’s impact extends beyond River Valleys; she is recognized as a leader in DEI efforts and serves on the DEI advisory council for Girl Scouts of the USA. Her work has set a benchmark for other Girl Scout Councils nationwide, positioning River Valleys as a beacon of best practices in this critical area.
Before her tenure at River Valleys, Janet’s career began in the political realm as a Legislative Liaison and community organizer for Congressman Lane Evans of Illinois. Her passion for community and capacity-building eventually led her to the nonprofit sector, where she has accumulated over 30 years of leadership experience at organizations such as the American Red Cross, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, and Girl Scouts of MN & WI River Valleys.
As a proud resident of St. Paul for nearly three decades, Janet has been deeply involved in her local community. Alongside her husband Philip Gracia, co-director of WFNU Frogtown Radio, she actively engages in volunteer work aimed at empowering community voices and fostering inclusivity in St. Paul. Together, they have raised their two daughters on the West Side of St. Paul, benefiting from the support of various community programs and organizations like Neighborhood House, West Side Boosters, Boys & Girls Club, and St. Paul Schools. Janet’s commitment to community building and inclusivity underscores her belief in creating a thriving environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
