Meet Aditya Tyagi

We recently connected with Aditya Tyagi and have shared our conversation below.

Aditya , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Being the only one in the room who looks like me has been a challenge I’ve faced in many parts of my life. Whether it was stepping onto the pool deck where no one else shared my background, joining leadership councils where I didn’t see anyone with similar life experiences, or presenting my nonprofit’s work in professional spaces where I was often the youngest by years—I’ve learned to navigate these moments with purpose.

One experience that stays with me is when I presented Connect2Health, the nonprofit I founded to improve healthcare access for underserved communities, to a room full of senior healthcare leaders. I was a high school student surrounded by people with years of experience and advanced degrees. I remember thinking, Do I belong here? But I realized the reason I was in the room was precisely because of the perspective I brought—growing up watching the real barriers people face when trying to get care. I spoke honestly about those challenges, and it connected with people. That moment taught me that I didn’t need to shrink myself to be heard. In fact, leading with authenticity opened more doors than trying to fit in ever could.

I felt something similar on my swim team. Most of my teammates had been swimming competitively since childhood. I joined much later, starting as a beginner when they were already advanced. I constantly felt like I was behind. There were moments when I questioned whether I belonged in the pool at all. But instead of giving in to that doubt, I chose to show up every day and work harder. Over time, I dropped my 50 free time from 33 seconds to 25, something I never thought I’d achieve.

In both spaces—whether in a boardroom or in the water—I’ve learned that being the only one doesn’t mean being the wrong one. I’ve learned to find my voice, to build genuine relationships, and to trust that my difference brings something valuable to the table. Most importantly, I’ve come to realize that just by being there, I’m making space for others to follow.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I’m the founder and executive director of Connect2Health, a nonprofit I started to break down barriers in healthcare and make it easier for underserved communities to access the care and resources they need. This work is deeply personal to me. Growing up, I watched people in my own community struggle to navigate the healthcare system—not because they didn’t care about their health, but because the system wasn’t designed for them. Whether it was language barriers, transportation gaps, financial challenges, or simply not knowing where to go for help, I saw how these obstacles had real and sometimes life-threatening consequences. I wanted to do something about that.

At Connect2Health, we build bridges. We organize free community health screening events, bring preventive care directly to the people who need it, and partner with local organizations to provide services in accessible, welcoming spaces. What makes our work special is that we focus on meeting people where they are—whether that’s by offering screenings in multiple languages, helping people understand their results in a way that feels supportive rather than overwhelming, or guiding them step-by-step through follow-up care.

One of the most exciting parts of our work has been expanding our mobile health programs and creating partnerships with local clinics, public health teams, and student organizations to make healthcare more community-driven and less intimidating. We’ve reached hundreds of people through our bilingual outreach and mobile screenings, and we’re just getting started.

What I love most about this work is that it’s not about charity—it’s about empowerment. We’re not simply providing services; we’re giving people tools, information, and pathways to take control of their health. To me, that’s the heart of equity.

Right now, we’re working on a few exciting initiatives. We’re preparing to expand our free health screening events to more schools, libraries, and faith centers, especially in areas where people often fall through the cracks. We’re also developing new partnerships to create mobile clinics and pop-up services that can bring care directly to neighborhoods with limited access. Additionally, we’re in the process of enhancing our Connect2Health app, which helps users easily find free clinics, affordable health services, and step-by-step guides in their preferred language. It’s a tool I wish my own family had years ago.

For me, this isn’t just a project—it’s a movement. I want people to know that healthcare shouldn’t be a privilege or a maze to figure out on your own. My mission is to keep opening doors until everyone feels like they belong in the healthcare system.

If you’re interested in collaborating, volunteering, or learning more, I’d love to connect—because building healthier communities is something we can only achieve together.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, there are three qualities that have been especially impactful in my journey so far: resilience, the ability to build authentic relationships, and a mindset of continuous learning.

Resilience has been the foundation of everything. There were so many moments—whether in leadership, swimming, or launching Connect2Health—where I faced setbacks, self-doubt, or simply felt like I didn’t belong. I had to learn how to keep showing up, even when progress felt painfully slow or when I was the only one in the room who looked like me or had my experiences. I’ve realized that success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about choosing to start again, to keep pushing forward even when no one is watching. My advice to anyone starting their journey is to embrace the uncomfortable parts. Growth lives there. The sooner you accept that setbacks are part of the process, the stronger you become.

The second is the ability to build authentic relationships. Whether I was leading health initiatives, working with public health leaders, or joining new teams, nothing I’ve done has been in isolation. I learned that people don’t just connect to ideas—they connect to stories, to passion, to people who genuinely care. I used to think that being effective meant being the most prepared or the smartest in the room. But what really moved things forward were the moments I took time to listen, to ask thoughtful questions, and to build trust with the people I was working with. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this: Don’t rush relationships. Be curious about people, find mentors, and lead with sincerity. When you build real connections, doors open that you never even knew existed.

The third is a mindset of continuous learning. I’ve realized that no matter how much I think I know, there’s always more to understand—about public health, about communities, about myself. Whether it’s through research, volunteering, or simply having conversations with people who have different experiences, I’ve stayed open to learning from every situation. For anyone starting out, I’d say: Stay humble, stay hungry. Find ways to actively seek feedback, step outside your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. The people who grow the fastest are the ones who are always willing to be students.

These three qualities—resilience, authentic connection, and continuous learning—have shaped my journey, and I truly believe they can help anyone build something meaningful, no matter where they’re starting from.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to trust my own voice and lead with confidence, even when I don’t have all the answers.

When I first started Connect2Health, I often found myself second-guessing whether I was “qualified” enough to speak up in spaces filled with professionals, healthcare leaders, and people who had years more experience than I did. I would over-prepare for every meeting, worrying that if I said the wrong thing or didn’t know every detail, I wouldn’t be taken seriously. It’s not that I didn’t believe in the work—I just wasn’t fully comfortable believing in myself yet.

But in the past year, I’ve grown in ways I never expected. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up with purpose, being willing to ask questions, and trusting that my lived experiences and passion are enough to start important conversations. I’ve become more comfortable speaking in front of large audiences, forming partnerships with community leaders, and advocating for the people we serve without feeling like I need to prove my worth at every step.

This growth also showed up in how I approach challenges. Instead of freezing when I face roadblocks, I now lean into creative problem-solving and see obstacles as opportunities to pivot or collaborate in new ways. I’ve grown into someone who doesn’t wait to feel 100% ready—I’ve learned to take action and grow along the way.

If you had asked me a year ago whether I would be confidently leading health initiatives, presenting to healthcare executives, or mentoring others, I would’ve hesitated. But now I can say that I’ve stepped into those roles with a stronger sense of purpose and belief in my ability to make an impact. It’s still a work in progress, but learning to trust my own voice has been the most meaningful growth I’ve experienced.

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