Grace Loonan '28

Biography

Grace Loonan (‘28) is a double major in International Economics and Global Affairs. Originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, she enjoys tackling macro-level problems. Through fellowships with the O'Brien Notre Dame International Security Center and the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, she dissects the issues and policies that form complex intergovernmental dynamics. Exploring global issues further, Grace founded Middle Meets Notre Dame, a campus organization that educates and engages students in academic dialogues on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Recently, she led an undergraduate cohort to Germany to discuss this ongoing conflict with Israeli, Palestinian, and German students. In summer 2026, Grace spent eight weeks in Dublin working in the whole-of-government strategy unit of Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She also had the opportunity to gain nonprofit experience in Croatia, volunteering with Caritas Zagreb for eight weeks in summer 2025.

On campus, Grace analyzes, cleans, and consolidates data under the direction of Professor Zoltan Buzas, examining U.S.-China great power competition through news articles. Through Notre Dame’s Student International Business Council, Grace has worked with PwC and KPMG, presenting data-driven solutions to generate large-scale organizational improvement. As Vice President of her dorm, Grace collaborates to lead a team of student chairs and commissioners, managing all aspects of hall programming, from funding to community-building to health & wellness. Grace also serves as Secretary of Notre Dame's Women in International Security chapter, connecting young women with resources and contacts to help them succeed in the security space as researchers, policymakers, and business leaders. Grace is eager to apply her passions for mission-driven problem-solving and leadership to a career at the intersection of firms and government agencies, where cutting-edge private strategy translates to public impact.