Councilmember Grant D. Godfrey has lived in University Park since 2017, and was elected to represent Ward 6 in 2023. He works as Senior Program Director, Central & West Africa at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. He began working at NDI in 2003, and since then has developed and overseen programs to strengthen political processes in 15 African countries, as well as regional initiatives. These programs support African efforts to help democracy deliver for citizens through improved election transparency and reforms; empowered citizens who can better participate in public affairs; enhanced government transparency and accountability; and to prevent or mitigate conflict through dialogue and building social cohesion.
Grant’s work at NDI draws on his experience as a public interest environmental lawyer and from living overseas. Before joining NDI, Grant served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Minignan, Côte d'Ivoire, where he worked to build environmental management and community development capacity. From 1997 until 2001, he practiced law and helped lead community organizing and advocacy efforts at the Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS), a non-profit organization in Austin, Texas. In 1998 the City of Austin, Texas appointed him to its Smart Growth Initiative Task Force and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service later appointed him to a stakeholder committee to provide input on the recovery plan for the endangered Barton Springs salamander. In these positions Grant negotiated public policy disputes with other stakeholders and public authorities. Earlier, he worked as an attorney in private practice in Austin.
Grant and his wife, Mary Sue, live on 40th Ave and can often be seen walking their Basset-Beagle mix, Sophie. He holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence, a Bachelor of Arts in Government, and a Certificate of Liberal Arts Honors, all from the University of Texas at Austin. Grant is a native New Orleanian and grew up in the suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana and Houston, Texas before finishing high school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is professionally conversant in French and Portuguese.