Ami Vitale
Ami Vitale is a National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and conservationist whose work explores humanity’s connection to wildlife and wild places. She is also the founder of Vital Impacts, a nonprofit using art and storytelling to support grassroots conservation efforts—highlighting hope, coexistence, and solutions for protecting endangered species.
Rhino Rescuer
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Wildlife Advocate
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Conservation Queen
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Rhino Rescuer • Wildlife Advocate • Conservation Queen •
Ami Vitale, photographer and documentary filmmaker, illuminates the unsung heroes and communities protecting wildlife and finding harmony in our natural world. Ami's contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named a Conservation International Innovators Fellow and a 2024 inductee into the NC Media and Journalism Hall of Fame. She is also the recipient of prestigious awards such as the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service, the Lucie Humanitarian Award and a six-time World Press Photos award winner. Notably, Instyle magazine recognized Ami as one of fifty Badass Women, a series celebrating women who show up, speak up and get things done. Ami is also the founder and Executive Director of Vital Impacts, a women-led non-profit organization that uses art and storytelling to support grassroots conservation efforts around the world.
Speaking Topics
Conservation
Resilience
Science
Exploration
Innovation
Nature
Culture
Watch Ami in action
Presentations
Wild Hope: Rethinking Our Relationship with Nature
National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale has spent over two decades documenting wildlife and humanity. From China’s panda centers to Kenya’s elephant and rhino sanctuaries, she captures 21st-century conservation challenges. In this visually stunning presentation, Ami shares stories and footage from her Disney+ film The Last Rhino, revealing how science, innovation, and local leadership are shaping the future of endangered species.
“Photography is my tool for creating awareness and understanding across cultures, communities, and countries; a tool to make sense of our commonalities in the world we share.”
– Ami Vitale