NSIN Announces Diversity Unlocks Innovation Campaign
DE&I initiative launches Feb. 1 with Black History Month.
The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) is launching a yearlong diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) campaign to raise awareness about the critical role of diversity in national security problem solving and to connect with people from historically under-represented and non-traditional Department of Defense (DoD) participant communities.
The campaign’s theme “Diversity Unlocks Innovation” is a nod to one of NSIN’s core principles that diversity of thought, experience, and background drives innovation.
“The ability to harness our diversity for the common good is one of the greatest advantages of our country,” said Karen Fray, National Service Portfolio Director at NSIN. “My hope is this campaign will help elevate the importance of diversity in national security, and that stories from our recent alumni will inspire others that they can be a defense innovator, too.”
Beginning in February with Black History Month and continuing throughout the year, “Diversity Unlocks Innovation” campaign will align to major heritage and alliance months. The campaign will feature profiles of emerging defense innovation leaders, an educational speaker series for staff and NSIN program alumni, interactive social media opportunities for network followers to nominate pioneers in the industry, and many opportunities for interested communities to learn more and get involved.
NSIN and its programs exist to develop a new alliance between defense, academia, and venture communities whose unique collaboration is imperative in the service of our national security. TeamNSIN seeks to further diversify the network of problem-solvers to include communities who typically have not engaged with the Department or considered national service as a career path.
“We offer programs and services that connect innovators across communities that might not traditionally cross paths,” explained Greg Bernard, NSIN Acting Director. “By combining problem-solvers from different kinds of communities and backgrounds, NSIN is able to create powerful and unexpected effects.”
Fore more information about the campaign, visit nsin.mil/diversity-unlocks-innovation.
About NSIN
The National Security Innovation Network is a program of the U.S. Department of Defense that collaborates with major universities and the venture community to develop solutions that drive national security innovation. We operate three portfolios of programs and services: National Service, Collaboration, and Acceleration. Together, these portfolios form a pipeline of activities and solutions that accelerate the pace of defense innovation.