Change Agents
/CHānj/ /‘ājənt/
noun
One who acts as a catalyst for change.
Change Agents are everyday people who do small things that have significant impact. They are cultivators who plant seeds in our lives (knowingly or unknowingly). Their presence nurtures and molds us every day, giving shape to the environment in which we work. They are fueled by their own passion to contribute, and thus, incite passion in others. They are the risk takers; the visionaries who see possibilities when others see obstacles. They are catalysts that make the Game Changing moments of an organization possible.
change
/CHānj/
verb
- make or become different
- to alter the terms or transform entirely
- arrive at a fresh phase; become new
noun
- a new or refreshingly different experience
agent
/‘ājənt/
noun
- a person who acts on behalf of another
- one who takes an active role or produces a specified effect
- a doer of an action
Change Agents are cultivators who plant seeds in our lives. Their presence nurtures and molds us every day, giving shape to the environment in which we work. They are fueled by their own passion to contribute and thus incite passion in others. They are the risk takers and the visionaries who see possibilities when others see obstacles.
Adam Cornish, Operations Coordinator in the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a change agent for the Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) community due to his support, fellowship, and commitment.
How is this change agent addressing issues in the SGM community?
Adam Cornish participates in hosting monthly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) meetings at the NIH Baltimore campus to discuss LGBTQ news and issues with coworkers to raise awareness, build support, and inclusiveness among peers.
What is this change agent doing to show leadership in diversity and inclusion of the SGM community?
Adam Cornish is committed to planning and coordinating the monthly LGBTQ meetings, and as a member of the SGM community, he is an exemplar of leadership in diversity and inclusion among the community.
Adam Cornish is a 2019 Sexual & Gender Minority (SGM) Community and Ally Leader Awardee.
"Sexual and gender minority" (SGM) is an umbrella term* that encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations as well as those whose sexual orientation, gender identity, and expressions, or reproductive development varies from traditional, societal, cultural, or physiological norms. This includes Disorders or Differences of Sex Development (DSD), sometimes known as intersex.
To further celebrate Pride Month at NIH, we are honoring individuals who help to advance SGM research or help to make NIH a more welcoming environment for individuals in SGM communities.
Do you have a story idea for us? Do you want to submit a guest blog? If it's about equity, diversity, or inclusion, please submit to edi.stories@nih.gov.
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