National Geographic Live

Join us for a three-part National Geographic Live Speaker Series presented by Charles Schwab, where international explorers amaze and inspire with their breathtaking adventures, incredible discoveries and dedication to protect the world’s wildlife.
Events will take place in The Hoglund Foundation Theater.
2023 Speakers
The 2023 series has concluded. Stay tuned for details on the 2024 series coming soon!
Maureen Beck – Improbable Ascent
Wednesday, February 8, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Paraclimber Maureen Beck learned how to rock climb one-handed through trial and error—one of her early adaptive climbing innovations involved taping a metal ladle to her arm. It wasn’t long before she was tackling some of the hardest climbs by a one-handed athlete, securing two world championships in the process. In her constant pursuit of new challenges, she journeyed to Canada’s Cirque of the Unclimbables to attempt the first unassisted adaptive climb of the Lotus Flower Tower. With her trademark humor and wit, this 2019 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year will chronicle her journey as one of the foremost leaders in the sport of paraclimbing.

Ami Vitale – Wild Hope
Wednesday, April 26, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale shares her personal odyssey—from documenting the heartbreaking realities of war to witnessing the inspiring power of an individual to make a difference. Her award-winning work illuminates the unsung heroes and communities working to protect our wildlife and find harmony in our natural world. Hear her awe-inspiring stories of the reintroduction of northern white rhinos and giant pandas to the wild, as well as Kenya’s first indigenous-owned and run elephant sanctuary.
This event has reached capacity.

Kakani Katija – Designed by Nature
Wednesday, October 11, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
A former member of the U.S. International Figure Skating Team, bioengineer Kakani Katija now studies the graceful movements of life below the surface. Join her for a fascinating look at one of the least explored ecosystems on our planet—the ocean’s midwaters—and learn how its inhabitants could lead to breakthroughs in bio-inspired design. As a certified research diver, Dr. Katija conducts field studies around the world, gathering data to help her develop technologies for exploring this ocean twilight zone and imagining—and creating—possibilities for the future.

This program is presented in association with National Geographic Live, bringing the National Geographic experience to global audiences while celebrating the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change our world.
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