The good Cornellians can do: Grace Perez-Navarro ’79

Grace Perez-Navarro ’79 has spent the past 30 years living and working in Paris. As director of tax policy and administration for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Grace worked to eliminate cross-border barriers to trade and combat international tax evasion.

After a career focused on global issues, Grace decided to get more involved in her local community. When she retired, Grace began volunteering with Serve the City—preparing and distributing food to the city’s unhoused population. Many of the organization’s clients are refugees and asylum seekers. In addition to food, she and other volunteers offer French and English language and cultural exchange programs to these individuals to facilitate their integration.

“It’s been fun to support the local community in a very hands-on way,” Grace says. “One of the most important things that we can do as volunteers is just listen to their stories. It’s truly humbling to hear the extraordinarily challenging journeys they have undertaken to find a safe haven where they can lead productive lives.”

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.