Ami Vitale

Ami Vitale is a National Geographic Explorer at Large, award-winning photographer, writer, and documentary filmmaker whose work explores the vital connections between people, wildlife, and the planet. With nearly three decades of experience working in over 100 countries, Ami uses storytelling as a tool for conservation, empathy, and action.

Her career began in conflict zones, where she witnessed firsthand how environmental degradation, including resource scarcity, displacement, and climate instability, profoundly affects human lives. These early experiences shaped her conviction that environmental and social issues are inseparable, guiding her toward long-term, solutions-focused work that highlights resilience, collaboration, and possibility.

As Founder and Executive Director of Vital Impacts, Ami leads a global nonprofit dedicated to harnessing the power of art to drive environmental awareness and tangible change. Through fellowships, exhibitions, and educational initiatives, Vital Impacts supports grassroots conservation organizations, photographers, and youth working on the frontlines of environmental change.

In her role as a National Geographic Explorer at Large, Ami serves as a global ambassador for visual journalism and ethical storytelling, mentoring emerging storytellers and amplifying locally rooted conservation efforts with global significance.

Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including Conservation International’s Lui-Walton Innovators Fellowship, the Lucie Humanitarian Award, the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service, the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Reporting, and six World Press Photo awards. She is an honorary fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and an inductee into the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame.

Through Vital Impacts and her own work, Ami remains committed to empowering the next generation of storytellers and building a more hopeful, solutions-driven future for our planet.