Our Leadership
Alexandria Young
Founder & Executive Director l CEO l The Emberline Initiative Inc.
Alexandria Young is the founder and executive director of The Emberline Initiative Inc., a survivor-led nonprofit based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence through housing, advocacy, and systemic reform. Drawing on her personal experience as a survivor and her professional expertise, Alexandria has transformed her journey into a mission-driven career focused on empowering survivors to rebuild their lives with stability, dignity, and independence.
Before founding Emberline, Alexandria built a 12-year career in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, working with startup companies to bring innovation and close care gaps in the healthcare field. Her work focused on improving patient outcomes and advancing solutions for unmet medical needs, reflecting her commitment to accountability, precision, and ethical leadership.
Following her transition into the roofing industry, Alexandria became a licensed Roofer and Residential Builder, learning every aspect of construction and insurance claims to support families recovering from disasters, including those affected by the tornado that devastated Idabel, Oklahoma. She guides her clients through the aftermath, helping them rebuild homes and hope while navigating complex systems.
Alexandria leads with principled courage, unafraid to hold individuals and institutions accountable or to challenge systems to rise to a higher standard. She advocates relentlessly for patient-centered care, stands with families who have lost everything to natural disasters, and refuses to be silenced or gaslit by courts and systems that fail survivors. Her work is grounded in integrity, driven by justice, and guided by an unwavering commitment to those too often left unprotected.
Under her leadership, The Emberline Initiative has developed programs addressing critical gaps in survivor support, including transitional housing, credit restoration, legal advocacy, and legislative reform.
Guided by strategic vision, compassionate leadership, and unwavering dedication, Alexandria continues to champion policies and programs that ensure every survivor has access to safety, justice, and a pathway to lasting independence. Through Emberline, she transforms the fire of personal adversity into a lasting beacon of hope and empowerment—lighting the way for women and families across Oklahoma and beyond.
“I built this nonprofit from the places where I was told to be silent, to endure, to survive. Emberline was born from fire—proof that what tried to break me instead became the light. This work exists so no woman or child has to walk through harm alone, so survival is never mistaken for the finish line, and so every survivor knows that their story can become a force for change. We stand to transform pain into power, fear into courage, and injustice into opportunity for healing and hope.”
Shawn Connolly
Founder & Executive Director | Construction Professional | The Emberline Initiative Inc.
Shawn Connolly is the founder and executive director of The Emberline Initiative Inc, a Tulsa-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence through housing, advocacy, and systemic reform. Drawing on over a decade of experience in commercial construction and executive leadership, Shawn brings a unique, solutions-driven perspective to rebuilding lives and communities from the ground up.
As a seasoned construction professional, Shawn has led large-scale commercial projects and managed diverse teams, earning a reputation for his integrity, innovation, and commitment to excellence. His background in project development, strategic operations, and sustainable building practices directly informs The Emberline Initiative’s mission to create long-term housing and financial stability for survivors.
Beyond construction, Shawn’s leadership is grounded in compassion and accountability. He is dedicated to developing partnerships that expand access to resources, promote justice reform, and empower survivors to rise into independence, dignity, and ownership.
Under his direction, The Emberline Initiative continues to transform awareness into action — providing tangible solutions that help survivors move from silence to strength.
“I’ve seen the cost of inaction and the damage of dismissal. When power is left unchecked & truth is silenced, injustice thrives & lives are destroyed. We will stand unwaveringly with those who have been silenced, and demand accountability from those who would exploit their power. By supporting this work, I declare that survivors’ voices will no longer be ignored, and justice will not wait.”
Gracie Chipman
Executive Board Member | Director of Land Acquisition & Philanthropic Development l The Emberline Initiative Inc.
Gracie Chipman stands at the intersection of visionary philanthropy, strategic development, and transformational leadership.
As an Executive Board Member and the Director of Land Acquisition & Philanthropic Development for The Emberline Initiative, she curates opportunities that turn land into legacy — converting neglected or overlooked properties into purpose-driven communities of renewal, recovery, and resilience.
With an instinct for recognizing both the tangible and emotional value of every parcel, Gracie leads Emberline’s effort to secure strategic real estate holdings that become the foundation for survivor-focused housing, resource centers, and empowerment campuses. Her work bridges the sophistication of private-sector dealmaking with the grace of social impact leadership, ensuring each project not only uplifts communities but also honors the donors and visionaries who make them possible.
Known for her poise, precision, and philanthropic fluency, Gracie has cultivated an influential network of benefactors, developers, and civic leaders who share her belief that giving is an art form — one that shapes both landscapes and lives.
Her leadership within Emberline reflects a rare balance of executive discipline and compassionate innovation, driving forward the organization’s mission to rebuild hope through the power of place.
“We don’t just acquire land — we cultivate legacy. Every acre we reclaim becomes a promise of safety, dignity, and a future reborn. With each plot, we restore hope where it was lost, build communities where strength can grow, and plant the roots for generations to come. This is more than land—it’s a foundation for lives transformed, a testament to resilience, and a commitment that no one’s future will be written by circumstance alone.”