National Geographic Society
The Power of Storytelling
The National Geographic Society is a global non-profit which provides grants to fuel the efforts of scientists and explorers to continue to discover, educate, protect and preserve our wildlife, all 7 continents and oceans, and every corner of our planet. Below you can explore a few examples of their recent work, and then register to attend this year’s Arthur C. Clarke event, enjoy a cocktail and dinner conversations with CEO Jill Tiefenthaler, and learn more about this valuable organization.
Botswana Youth Share Stories of the Okavango Delta at National Geographic Photo Camp
The National Geographic Society Wayfinder Award
The National Geographic Society sponsors the annual Wayfinder Award, recognizing individuals poised to be the next generation of influential leaders, communicators, and innovators. Candidates for the Wayfinder Award are recognized for their work addressing and inspiring innovative technology, conservation, environmental change and social awareness. Award recipients join the Society’s global community of National Geographic Explorers, and each receives a monetary prize to support their work.
Uruguay Commits to Establish a New Marine Protected Area around Isla de Lobos
National Geographic Society Names Lee Berger Explorer in Residence
Berger’s relationship with the Society started in 1996 for the excavation and preservation of early Homo sapiens footprints at Saldanha Bay in South Africa, but he is best known for his work at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in South. His excavations have led to some of the most significant scientific findings of the 21st century.
National Geographic Society CEO Jill Tiefenthaler
As chief executive officer at the National Geographic Society, Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler oversees the development and implementation of the Society’s mission-driven work and programmatic agenda. She leads our global community of Explorers: scientists, innovators, educators, and storytellers—in our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Jill sits on the Society’s Board of Trustees and the board of National Geographic Partners.
Before joining the National Geographic Society, Jill spent nine years as the president of Colorado College. During this time, she helped set a new direction for the school, executed the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the college’s history, and developed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan that expanded and cultivated an engaged and globally connected academic community. She developed a Campus Master Plan, executed an alliance to make the world-class Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center part of the college, and led the college’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. She also drove significant increases in diversity among the faculty and student body and led the campus community in an external review of racism at the college that resulted in an Antiracism Implementation Plan.
Before leading Colorado College, Jill was provost of Wake Forest University, where she redesigned the admissions process to include an SAT-optional policy, integrated the university’s undergraduate and graduate business schools, established the Institute for Public Engagement and The Humanities Institute, and implemented “Living Our Values,” a plan to strengthen residential life and campus vibrancy.
Jill began her academic career at Colgate University, where she was a full professor of economics before holding various administrative roles, including consultant to the president; associate dean of the faculty; founding director of the Upstate Institute; and chair of the department of economics.
Originally from Iowa, Jill grew up on a farm and worked for her family’s popcorn business before attending Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Duke University.
