Brian Skerry
Underwater Photographer
Whale Whisperer.
Mainer.
Brian Skerry is a National Geographic Photography Fellow whose immersive ocean storytelling reveals the intelligence, beauty, and fragility of marine life.
Kiliii Yuyan
Indigenous Storyteller.
Culture Keeper.
Worldview Shaper.
Kiliii Yuyan is an Indigenous Nanai and Chinese American photographer, filmmaker, and author exploring the intersection of culture, conservation, and climate.
Cristina Mittermeier
Founder.
Ocean Steward.
Enough.
Cristina Mittermeier is a photographer and marine biologist who uses visual storytelling to inspire ocean conservation and global environmental action.
Mark Synnott
Big Wall Climber.
Best-Selling Author.
The North Face Athlete.
Mark Synnott is an acclaimed climber, adventurer, and bestselling author whose work explores the outer edges of human endurance.
Stephen Wilkes
Chief Innovator.
Time Capsule Creator.
Photographic Visionary.
Stephen Wilkes is a fine art photographer best known for his groundbreaking Day to Night images, which compress 24 hours into a single frame.
Shaesta Waiz
Left Seater.
Trailblazer.
Afghan Refugee.
Shaesta Waiz is a pioneering pilot and STEM advocate who made history as the first Afghan American—and at the time, the youngest woman—to fly solo around the world.
David Vobora
Adaptive.
Life After Coach.
Mr. Irrelevant.
Former NFL linebacker and founder of the Adaptive Training Foundation. After a career-ending injury and dark chapter that followed, David Vobora reinvented his life around service.
Ami Vitale
Rhino Rescuer.
Wildlife Advocate.
Conservation Queen.
Ami Vitale is a National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, conservationist and nonprofit chief whose work explores humanity’s connection to wildlife and wild places.
Terry Virts
Astro.
Photographer.
Entrepreneur.
Terry Virts is a former NASA astronaut, U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, and commander of the International Space Station who shares battle-tested leadership lessons.
Pete McBride
Master Storyteller.
Thru-Hiker.
Naturekeeper.
Pete McBride is a National Geographic photographer and filmmaker who documents wild places and fresh water to inspire a sustainable future.
Mireya Mayor
Lemur Lover.
Primatologist.
Her Wildness.
Dr. Mireya Mayor is a primatologist and TV host whose groundbreaking science—and tireless quest for Bigfoot—bring adventure and discovery to life.
Albert Lin
High-Tech Explorer.
Bionic Man.
Culture Whisperer.
Dr. Albert Lin is an engineer, scientist, and explorer whose groundbreaking tech discoveries and inspiring personal journey redefine exploration and human resilience.
Mike Libecki
First Ascent Junkie.
Global Explorer.
Reality Bender.
Mike Libecki is a National Geographic Explorer and climber who pursues first ascents in the planet’s wildest places, inspiring awe, grit, and global compassion.
Louise Leakey
3rd Generation Kenyan.
Princess.
Fossil Hunter.
Louise Leakey, daughter of Richard and Meave Leakey, is a paleontologist, Explorers Club Fellow, and Stony Brook professor exploring human origins
Keith Ladzinski
Adventurer.
Nature Whisperer.
Storm Chaser.
Keith Ladzinski is a National Geographic photographer and filmmaker who captures breathtaking stories of adventure, wildlife, and the power of the natural world.
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner
Summit Slayer.
Superhuman.
Austrian Alpinist.
Legendary mountaineer Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner is the first woman to summit all 14 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen or porters.