Her Story
About Grace
Grace Baldizon is the Sacraments Coordinator at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in New York. She has spent the past three years in the nonprofit industry coordinating approximately 300 weddings per year, including both celebrity and regular ceremonies, as well as other high-profile events. Prior to this position, Baldizon built a career in production and manufacturing, serving as a manufacturing manager for prominent brands including Adidas. She earned her bachelor's degree in International Business Management in 2015. Baldizon credits her success to her faith in Jesus Christ, who she says lifted her from a difficult period during the pandemic. She emphasizes values of honesty, integrity, and respect in both her professional and personal life, and she advises patience and a servant mindset for those entering the nonprofit field. Baldizon is also an advocate for multiple sclerosis awareness following her own diagnosis in 2022.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Grace
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is the reason why I'm here and doing what I do. During the pandemic I was in a very dark spot considering the wrong path, but God picked me up and gave me this beautiful life with my family and son.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received from my father was to never settle for the life you have right now. Always do better and don't put walls into your path because those do not exist, they're only in your mind. You can break them and succeed, it's completely up to you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To be patient and know that in nonprofit you work face-to-face with people from all backgrounds. We serve others and should not seek credit for ourselves but give to others. Have the mindset and heart ready to give and not receive, to wait, to give and be happy giving.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is to educate people, especially because we work for a Catholic church. Not everybody is aware of the requirements for marriage. Sometimes they think St. Patrick's is just a regular venue, but we have requirements as a house of worship. Also, make people understand that marriage is a sacrament, a lifetime commitment and vocation, not something you can dissolve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is number one. I don't like stealing from my job or saying I'm working when I'm not. If I'm there in my 9 to 5, I gotta be there and do my best. Integrity is very important. I need to follow through on what I say. Reflecting to my job and family values: being very humble, hard working, respectful no matter who they are or where they're coming from. Being honest, having integrity, and being respectful.
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