At the National Geographic Society, we believe that in order to achieve our mission we must empower and invest in all generations of people — especially those early in their career. By doing so, we can provide the next generation of National Geographic Explorers with an opportunity to lead projects, make meaningful contributions to the world, and become leaders in their fields.
The Society’s Early Career Grants were created to support future leaders who are carrying out novel and exploratory projects that span the fields of conservation, education, research, storytelling, and technology.
To ensure these Early Career Explorers are equipped with the skills, experiences, and support that will propel their careers to the next level after they complete their grant project, the National Geographic Society launched the Early Career Leadership Program for a select number of our grantees.
A year-long development opportunity, this program encompasses leadership development, media training, mentorship, monthly webinars, educational outreach, and speaking and elevation opportunities.
The 2020-2021 program starts this week with a virtual orientation that includes a leadership workshop, a mentorship kick-off meeting, community workshops, and discussions about working with National Geographic Society. After completion of the week-long orientation, the cohort will meet monthly for training on core leadership topics as well as insight from National Geographic experts. The Explorers will also work with their mentors throughout the program and partner with a National Geographic certified educator to create innovative learning experiences for students.
The Society is pleased to share that this year’s cohort consists of 15 Explorers from 13 countries, representing the following regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
Learn more about these 15 Explorers:
- Agustina Besada
- Analyn Cabras
- Laurel Chor
- Javier Corso
- Marissa Cuevas Flores
- Andrej A. Gajić
- Astrid Hsu
- Mark Kauzlarich
- Anselmo Matusse
- Rahayu Oktaviani
- Margaret Awuor Owuor
- Yvette Ehlers Smith
- Rosa Vasquez Espinoza
- Callie Veelenturf
- Violeta Zhelyazkova
Are you interested in participating in this program? The first step is applying for an Early Career Grant. Learn more about our grants here.