The 22 Faces of Change: Changemaker Roles Driving Transformation

By Nora F. Murphy Johnson, PhD

In this blog series, we’ll dive into the 22 changemaker roles. Each of these roles plays a part in driving transformation and working towards a just world in their unique way. We share them to help you discover your own role as a changemaker because supporting changemakers around the globe means creating a more whole, beautiful, and just world.

Claiming and Defining the Concept of Changemaker

A changemaker is anyone who commits to causing positive change in their community or the wider world. This includes individuals, groups, and organizations that identify societal problems and address them through innovative, collaborative, and proactive actions.

“Positive changes”, and the work it takes to bring these about, may be large or small, loud or quiet, seen or unseen. Whether organizing a neighborhood mutual aid group, developing an app to address food waste, or advocating for policy changes at the governmental level, changemakers understand that every action counts towards building a more equitable and sustainable world.

Key qualities of changemakers include a strong commitment to change, the power to motivate others, and a focus on solving societal…