Speakers

Chris Johns is editor in chief of National Geographic magazine.  He began his career in photojournalism when he joined the Topeka Capital-Journal as a staff photographer in 1975. As a photographer, he produced more than 20 articles for National Geographic, eight of which were cover stories. With his photography, he has taken readers down the Zambezi River, examined the Bushmen’s ongoing struggle for cultural survival and provided important documentation of Africa’s endangered wildlife. He was named one of the world’s 25 most important photographers by American Photo magazine in 2003.  Since being appointed editor in chief of National Geographic magazine in 2005, his editorial efforts have reinvigorated the publication and been recognized with numerous awards, including 12 National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors. In 2009, he created an editorial team focused on environmental coverage and has championed reporting that puts into context the energy and environmental challenges facing people around the planet.