Grace Livingston ’06

Courageously sharing her story, Grace spoke at the opening ceremony for Reimagine End of Life Festival, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “a community-driven exploration of death and celebration of life through creativity and conservation.” She offered support, building community and lending guidance to those facing serious illness through the many Reimagine gatherings she led. Grace’s mission was to shift the cultural perception of death and dying in a way that centered on celebrating stories and shared humanity. Her nominator noted, “Though Grace has faced seemingly insurmountable challenges . . . she has not blanched at forging ahead—learning how to be present, sit with, and confront these challenges—and has assumed a role of leadership in guiding others via her experience and knowledge.” Grace also was deeply involved with The Dinner Party, which focuses on bringing together young adults who have experienced the loss of a close family member or friend.

Professionally, the Smith College graduate was a senior researcher at Ten Percent Happier, a meditation app that provides guided meditations and life coaching to increase quality of life and happiness while decreasing stress. Grace was passionate about incorporating practices from many cultures. She collaborated with Ten Percent Happier co-founder Dan Harris on his next book. A classmate noted of Grace in her letter of support: “She inspires me with how she can sit with both the pleasant and unpleasant pieces of life, with her ability to be so herself, unafraid and liberated from what anyone else thinks, and (not least of all) with the emotionally evolved way she has rearranged her life to be one of immense purpose, centered around community and love.”

The 2020 Young Alumna of Distinction Award was given to Grace Livingston ‘06 for confronting personal struggle with grace and resilience while guiding others facing serious illness.