Leadership & Board
Project Grace is guided by a group of passionate individuals committed to supporting veterans, helping rescue animals, and building a community rooted in compassion and service.
President & Founder
Kelsey Baker
Kelsey Baker is the Founder and President of Project Grace Housing for Veterans & Rescue Animals. The vision for Project Grace was inspired by her dog, Princess, whose unwavering loyalty and unconditional love helped her through one of the most difficult seasons of her life. Through that bond, Kelsey witnessed the powerful healing connection between people and animals and felt a deep calling to honor the men and women who have bravely served our country. With profound respect for their sacrifice and service, she is committed to giving back to those who protected our freedom by creating a mission rooted in dignity, stability, and hope—offering second chances for both veterans and rescue animals.
Vice Chair of Board
Marisol Chalas
Colonel Marisol Chalas is a high-impact leader and Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS), G-3/5/7 for the Army Reserve Aviation Command. She offers boards a unique blend of global operational command, legislative expertise, and Fortune 50 corporate leadership.
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Strategic Governance: Served for over a decade as a trustee of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and currently holds board positions with the Cristian Rivera Foundation and the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute.
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Global Corporate Leadership: Held senior management roles at GE across Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and is a graduate of the GE Nuclear Technical Leadership Program.
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Legislative & Government Relations: Served as a Legislative Assistant to the 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army at the Pentagon and as an Army Congressional Budget Liaison.
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Operational Excellence: A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with a background in process improvement consulting and force management.
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Distinguished Recognition: Recognized by Forbes as one of the "100 Most Powerful Women" and honored as an "Outstanding American by Choice" by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
COL Chalas holds a B.S. in Marine Engineering, an MBA, a Master of Legislative Affairs, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Secretary of Board
Emily Seaberg
Emily Seaberg serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Project Grace. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, she brings experience in client care, organizational leadership, and compassionate service from her background in healthcare and beauty services. Emily’s commitment to Project Grace is shaped by personal experience — during a challenging period in her life, the adoption of her dog, Mick, became a meaningful source of comfort and healing. She also holds a deep respect for veterans and military families, inspired by her grandfather’s World War II service and her brother’s service in the United States Army. In her role as Board Secretary, Emily supports the mission of Project Grace by contributing thoughtful leadership, organization, and a strong dedication to compassion and community connection.
Interested in Joining our board?
Project Grace is always open to connecting with individuals who are passionate about serving veterans and rescue animals. If you believe in our mission and are interested in contributing your time, skills, or expertise as a board member, we would love to hear from you.
📩 Please email: kelsey@projectgracehousing.org
Include a brief introduction, your background, and why this mission matters to you.
