Prior to becoming Grace Farms Foundation’s Chief Strategy Officer, Chelsea was the Foundation’s Founding Creative Director and Chief Marketing Officer, where she created the visual brand for Grace Farms, initialized its marketing department, built its creative and marketing teams, managing all aspects of design, communications, marketing, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and publications. Chelsea also developed and directed Grace Farms’ noted architectural tours program, which included more than 6,000 tours since Grace Farms opened in October 2015.
Since taking on the role of Chief Strategy Officer, Chelsea has been instrumental in securing major U.S. and international Design for Freedom Pilot Projects, including the 21st Serpentine Pavilion Pilot Project in London, featuring Theaster Gates’ Black Chapel. This and other Pilot Projects will raise awareness of forced labor in the building materials supply chain and demonstrate that it is possible to create a more humane built environment together.
In addition, Chelsea initiated a partnership with Herman Miller to develop an ethically-manufactured face mask. As the creative director on this project, she secured pro bono design contributions by Shohei Yoshida (shohei yoshida + associates / SYA) and Peter Miller (Palette Architecture), former project architects of Grace Farms’ SANAA-designed River building. The face masks raised awareness and funds for Design for Freedom and is sold exclusively through Herman Miller’s Design Within Reach online.
Chelsea was also the driving force behind the launch of the Foundation’s new exhibits, including Peace Forest and Common Good Through Crisis. The Peace Forest, curated by Chelsea, is an interactive experience highlighting how the landscape, architecture, and the people at Grace Farms are part of the Foundation’s mission, while Common Good Through Crisis showcases the Foundation’s humanitarian work. Chelsea will continue to develop and curate future exhibits.
Chelsea co-edited and managed the design and editorial process of Design for Freedom, Grace Farms’ high-level industry report on slavery in the built environment and made critical contributions to the report’s editorial impact, which features more than 30 leaders within the ecosystem of the built environment. Publications such as Fast Company and The Architect’s Newspaper have singled out the report as a way to help raise awareness about forced labor in the building materials supply chain.
Chelsea has also created additional Foundation publications, including its first book, and souls are candles, annual reports, and thought leadership pieces. Chelsea sits on Grace Farms Foundation’s Board of Directors; she is also a member of Brick & Wonder, a membership-based collective built on the premise that collaboration creates more long-term value and innovative outcomes.
Prior to joining Grace Farms Foundation, Chelsea launched and owned a publishing company that developed and designed books for companies and individuals ranging from the Bordeaux Wine Council to the United Nations University, and authored two award-winning books.
