Preserving Legacies

Today at the 2026 Fest, we are celebrating a massive milestone: we now have two National Geographic Explorers in our family! 🌟

This year, our Director of Science, Salma Sabour Grela, joins our amazing Executive Director, Victoria Herrmann, and the rest of the National Geographic Society family. Together, they are inspiring communities and creating incredible ripples of change wherever they go.

But the good news doesn't stop there! Salma was also named a recipient of the prestigious National Geographic Society Wayfinder Award, presented by Kia. This incredible honor is given to just 15 individuals globally each year, representing the next generation of influential leaders, communicators, and innovators driving forward the mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. 🌍✨

We couldn't be prouder. Hear what Salma had to say about the inspiring work she and the rest of the Preserving Legacies team are doing to make climate date accesible and culturally sensitive to communities around the world! 👇