Blogs

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Member Stories is a monthly podcast from GenUnity that celebrates the voices of our community members. Each episode spotlights one member, offering a space to share their personal journey, insights, and impact. Through these stories, we connect with one another and the broader community, amplifying the power of lived experience and collective growth. Our debut episode features Changemaker awardee and community member, Cristina Ames.

Cristina Ames (She/Her/Ella) holds an MBA in Social Impact and serves as Co-Chair of Empowering Abilities, the Disability Resource Group at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Passionate about community empowerment, Cristina has a long history of service along the East Coast - from supporting women's shelters in Philadelphia to working with Immigrant communities in New Jersey, and organizing local advocacy efforts in Salem, Massachusetts.In 2020, Cristina was appointed by the Mayor of Salem to the Salem Race Equity Task Force, where she facilitated community conversations with U.S. Representatives and other civic leaders to advance racial equity.

A proud GenUnity alum, she participated in the Spring 2024 Health Equity Cohort, deepening her commitment to inclusive community leadership.Cristina also serves on the Blue Crew Leadership Council at BCBSMA, leading service projects with both local and global reach -- most recently co-leading a Missing Maps Project that helps humanitarian workers navigate unmapped regions of the world. In her corporate work, she strives to create equitable and inclusive opportunities for career growth through mentorship and skill development programs. Beyond her professional roles, Cristina is a fierce advocate for global human rights.