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Press Release
Builders Vision and the National Geographic Society Announce a New Program Focused on Storytelling for Healthy Oceans
The two organizations’ inaugural, collaborative program will highlight changemakers driving impactful solutions for our world’s oceans
Credit: Brian Skerry
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22, 2025) — Today, Builders Vision and the National Geographic Society are proud to announce a new program that will amplify the voices of people, organizations and communities driving transformative change in ocean ecosystems. The program will support National Geographic Explorers and storytellers from around the world who are raising critical awareness about the perils facing our world’s oceans, exploring novel ways that individuals and communities are seeking to address them, and revealing the societal and economic benefits of protecting our waters.
Through the combination of Builders Vision’s holistic approach to systems change and the Society’s expertise in science, exploration, education and storytelling to inspire action, the two organizations are uniquely positioned to shift perspectives and catalyze lasting change toward a more resilient future. Together, National Geographic and Builders Vision seek to support and amplify the work of some of the world’s most innovative changemakers looking to build a healthier, more sustainable world.
“The ocean conservation community is strongest when visionary partners and changemakers come together with bold, creative plans for impact — and this collaboration does just that,” said Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. “We’re proud to work with Builders Vision to support National Geographic Explorers as they tell the ocean’s stories through fresh, global perspectives that can spark change and inspire a brighter future for our ocean.”
The collaboration will include three core elements: offering Builders Vision ocean partners the opportunity to participate in National Geographic Storytellers Collective workshops, creating a global storytelling program that amplifies the work of National Geographic Explorers addressing urgent ocean challenges and innovations, and identifying pivotal moments to convene investors and sustainability leaders to drive forward critical discussions and solutions for ocean health and resilience.
“The viability of our ocean system is dependent on our ability to inform and inspire decision-makers to mobilize their capital into more sustainable solutions,” said Lukas Walton, Founder and CEO at Builders Vision. “Who better to support that mission than National Geographic and its incredible Explorers? The heart of our collaboration is all about harnessing the power of storytelling and lifting up the voices of those driving the innovative solutions needed to ensure a sustainable, thriving ocean.”
The storytelling program will support three National Geographic Explorers with grants to uncover and share bold, untold stories that bring critical blue economy challenges and solutions into focus, igniting urgency and sparking meaningful progress:
- Malin Fezehai
- Fezehai is a photographer, filmmaker and visual journalist who has reported extensively across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. In this project, she will examine how communities around the Indian Ocean — the fastest-warming ocean on Earth — are confronting the impacts of climate change. From Kenya to the Maldives, the work highlights local initiatives to restore ecosystems and protect coastal livelihoods. By connecting these stories, the project aims to inspire global audiences to recognize the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems and the essential role frontline communities play in safeguarding our planet’s future.
- Shireen Rahimi
- Rahimi is an underwater visual storyteller, marine scientist, and science communicator. Her practice weaves together western science and ancient wisdom to inspire action for our oceans and climate. For her project, Rahimi will produce the pilot episode for a hosted docuseries. The series will highlight communities worldwide that are harnessing the power of the ocean to ensure a livable future on this planet. The first episode will spotlight coral reefs and the innovative solutions that offer hope for their survival.
- Brian Skerry
- Skerry is a film producer, director and veteran photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater realms. Since 1998, Skerry has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine, where he has created and photographed more than 30 feature stories, including seven cover stories. Skerry’s project will focus on and visually highlight two vital elements of the blue economy — the value of sharks as a key species to ocean ecosystem health, and creating new businesses through the harvesting of an invasive species and kelp aquaculture for skin care products.
Contributing an estimated $2.5 trillion annually to the global economy and supporting the livelihoods of over 3 billion people residing in vulnerable coastal areas, the ocean is more in need than ever of programs that contribute to creating a sustainable, healthy blue economy that fosters long-term resilience to climate change, elevate the economic prosperity of coastal communities, and ensure the responsible stewardship of ocean and coastal ecosystems.
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Builders Vision
Builders Vision is a team of investors and philanthropists accelerating tomorrow’s most promising solutions across food and agriculture, energy and oceans. By deploying capital from grantmaking to market-rate investments, we aim to maximize financial returns and lasting impact. We are diversified and risk-aware, ensuring our investments balance both financial growth and long-term sustainability. The team’s portfolios include over 300 grantees, over 100 emerging and established fund managers across all asset classes, and nearly 50 direct investments in companies and accelerators.
Builders Vision uses three main approaches to generate positive, long-lasting impact in the ocean ecosystem: deploying capital, supporting our partners “beyond the check,” and advocating for change. Since 2023, Builders Vision has committed over $260M to 158 Ocean partners.
Learn more at www.buildersvision.com.
About The National Geographic Society
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 15,000 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.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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