National Geographic Society Honors 15 Bold Changemakers with 2026 Wayfinder Award Presented by Kia
发布时间：2026-08-14 ｜ 浏览：1
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Press Kit
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 9, 2026) — Today, the National Geographic Society announced the recipients of the 2026 Wayfinder Award presented by Kia, an honor extended annually to 15 visionaries whose outstanding achievements in science, conservation, education, technology and storytelling further the Society’s mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
This year’s exceptional cohort, representing six continents from across the globe, are celebrated for developing innovative technologies, undertaking rigorous fieldwork, and shifting cultural narratives in pursuit of a more vibrant and resilient planet. From discovering novel microbes to bridging ancestral astronomical traditions with modern science, each recipient embodies the spirit of exploration and impact that defines the Wayfinder Award.
“Though their work spans fields as diverse as continental rifting and wildlife safety on highways and railways, these visionary leaders are united by boundless curiosity and an active commitment to inspiring people to care about the world around them,” said Alex Moen, the Society’s chief explorer engagement officer. “We are deeply honored to welcome them to our extraordinary community of National Geographic Explorers, where their insight, courage and purpose will continue to transcend the limits of what’s possible.”
Kia’s philanthropic support of the Wayfinder Award is a key pillar of its Accelerate the Good Program , an initiative that has contributed more than $55 million to environmental and social impact causes. Their collaboration with the National Geographic Society is driven by a shared commitment to championing innovators who are boldly leading our planet toward a more sustainable future.
"Each of these remarkable individuals embody the creativity and tenacity that drives true environmental innovation, but what truly distinguishes them is their shared talent for sparking a deeper sense of appreciation and responsibility for our planet," said Russell Wager, vice president of marketing at Kia America. "We are thrilled to support these Explorers with the 2026 Wayfinder Award, recognizing their outstanding efforts to advance ambitious solutions while inspiring environmental stewardship all over the world."
Meet the recipients of the 2026 Wayfinder Award presented by Kia:
Anne-Isabelle Bonifassi; Conservation Biologist; Haiti
Bonifassi is a conservation biologist and restoration ecologist dedicated to protecting Haiti’s last primary forests and restoring ecosystems that sustain the Caribbean’s most threatened species. Through creative, solutions-oriented strategies, Bonifassi strengthens local stewardship and works to prevent species extinctions.
Anne A. Madden; Microbiologist and Science Communicator; United States
Madden is a microbiologist and science communicator whose research illuminates the invisible world of microbes and explores their potential to address major challenges facing humanity. She is the founder and president of The Microbe Institute, a nonprofit with a vision to democratize microbial discovery.
Binbin Wang; Climate Practitioner and Researcher; China
Wang is a climate practitioner and social scientist who works at the heart of China's evolving global climate role. Wang also works to advance “civilization-based solutions” grounded in traditional and local knowledge and addresses modern challenges by better understanding the relationship between humanity and nature.
Damien Farine; Behavioral Ecologist; Australia
Farine is a behavioral ecologist who studies animals’ social networks and collective behavior, focusing on how these behaviors influence their movement, health and survival. He also mentors early-career scientists who are curious about animals’ social lives.
Farina Othman; Conservation Scientist; Malaysia
Othman is a conservation scientist who combines field research, spatial analysis and community engagement to protect the endangered Bornean elephant. She aims to inspire action through science by translating research into effective, equitable solutions.
Fernanda Abra; Road Ecologist; Brazil
Abra is a road ecologist and conservation biologist who develops science-based solutions to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and restore ecological connectivity. Working in partnership with government agencies, universities, and Indigenous and local communities, Abra's efforts have facilitated thousands of safe crossings for arboreal mammals, including endangered primates.
Folarin Kolawole; Geologist; Nigeria
Kolawole investigates the processes by which the Earth’s crust fractures and ultimately separates, creating new oceanic basins. He also studies how ancient faults become reactivated in areas distant from active tectonic plate boundaries. Kolawole's research in East Africa has revealed where and how the breaking of continents starts, and how the slipping of the fractures is transforming landscapes and triggering earthquakes. His efforts are inspiring the next generation of earth scientists in Africa.
Karlie Noon; Indigenous Astronomer; Australia
Noon is an astrophysicist, science communicator and advocate for Indigenous-led approaches to science and space exploration. A descendant of the Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri nations, she was the first Indigenous woman in Australia to earn degrees in both mathematics and physics. Her work combines astronomy, her culture and Indigenous knowledge systems from around the globe.
Louise Archer; Social Scientist; United Kingdom
Archer is a social scientist and education researcher whose work advances equity in global STEM education and enhances learning opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people. She has authored over 180 academic publications and led numerous national and international research studies to investigate the causes and persistence of inequalities in STEM.
Nyambayar Batbayar; Wildlife Biologist; Mongolia
Batbayar is a dedicated conservation scientist focused on advancing wildlife research and strengthening science-based conservation efforts in Mongolia. Through his innovative conservation strategies, Batbayar has successfully protected numerous endangered species and their habitats across the country.
Paolo Woods; Photographer and Curator; Italy
Woods is a Dutch-Canadian documentary photographer and curator who uses photography as a tool for investigating the contemporary world. His work has received two World Press Photo prizes, has been displayed at major museums and festivals around the world, and has been published and reviewed in media outlets like The New York Times, Le Monde and The Guardian.
Purnima Devi Barman; Wildlife Biologist; India
Barman is a wildlife biologist and conservationist dedicated to protecting one of the world's most endangered storks. She leads the "Hargila Army," a grassroots movement of over 20,000 women committed to species protection, habitat conservation, environmental education and sustainable livelihoods. Their collective efforts have significantly improved the stork’s conservation status, earning global recognition as a rare conservation success story.
Salma Sabour; Climate Adaptation Scientist; Morocco
Sabour is a climate risk and adaptation specialist who uses rigorous science to drive locally-led climate action. As director of science and interdisciplinarity for Preserving Legacies, a National Geographic Explorer-led project, Sabour helps local communities safeguard their cultural heritage sites and build resilience against climate change.
Silindile Mbuyazi; Dive Instructor and Marine Educator; South Africa
Mbuyazi is a dual-certified Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI) dive instructor dedicated to shifting cultural narratives about the sea, improving water safety, and inspiring the next generation of ocean explorers and protectors. Through her leadership, more than 150 African conservationists, scientists and underwater filmmakers have learned to dive, unlocking new ways to study and protect marine species, capture marine life on film, and even establish their own dive centers.
Yvonne Drebert; Underwater Filmmaker; Canada
Drebert is a Canadian filmmaker who uses advanced underwater drones to reveal the unseen depths of freshwater systems, applying an ocean exploration approach to inland waters. She leads expeditions in the most extreme and least-studied environments in the Great Lakes, the world's largest freshwater system. Through her work, Drebert promotes lower-impact research methods while expanding how freshwater ecosystems are explored and documented.
About Kia America
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The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 16,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
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