Originally from Wisconsin, Grape moved to the Twin Cities following high school to study at the University of Minnesota where she completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in industrial relations. After working in the human resources field, Grape went on to complete law school at William Mitchell College of Law.  Upon graduation, she joined the Leonard, Street and Deinard firm and practiced there prior to joining the ELCA Board of Pensions.

 Chairing the bar association’s Corporate Counsel Section was Grape’s first leadership role within the association.  She then developed her leadership skills further by completing the bar association’s LINC (Leaders Impacting the Nonprofit Community) program.  Grape is also involved in the community through the City of Lakes Rotary Club, Haiti Outreach Inc., and the Minnesota Literacy Council. 

Grape believes that securing adequate judicial funding and ensuring that professional development resources are available to new attorneys entering the less-than-robust legal employment market are important issues currently facing legal professionals in Hennepin County.  In addition, Grape sees the bar association and its foundation uniquely positioned to improve the administration of justice during this tough economic period.

Grape's experience with and enthusiasm for the profession will guide her in leading the association and its 8,500 members.