We’re excited to announce the moderator of this year’s Summit: Alice Aedy! Both young and talented, Aedy has already gained an impressive career as an award-winning documentary photographer, filmmaker, National Geographic explorer and climate advocate. Alice’s work has focused on human stories across the world - those living on climate frontlines and those dedicating their lives to defending our planet. She is the co-founder of The Earthrise Studio, a climate studio and platform dedicated to communicating the climate crisis through multi-media short-form storytelling. As the host of the Visionaries podcast, she interviews leading storytellers about how they shape the way we see the world. With her sharp eye, experience and storytelling abilities, Aedy makes the ideal moderator for this year’s Summit, keen to bring about new insights and hopeful stories about our future that lie at the forefront of scientific discoveries.

Sophie left Ireland at age 19 and moved to Tanzania to chase a dream of wildlife filmmaking. Today, she is an internationally renowned BAFTA-award winner! Sophie is known for her ability to capture exceptionally emotional behavioural content with a strong focus on beauty which she believes is the key to it all. She was one of The Series Directors of Photography on National Geographic’s 2024 release ‘Queens’ focusing on female leadership in nature. She was mentored by the Dutch wildlife cinematographer Hugo Lawick, former husband of Jane Goodall, who were both a great inspiration to her. As a champion for female leadership, Darlington has held the door open for other women to follow in her footsteps in a traditional industry; a topic that lies close to her heart.

Samuel Ramsey, also known as Dr. Sammy, is an entomologist and National Geographic Explorer who is globally recognized for his groundbreaking research on honeybees and the threats they face. As a child, Ramsey suffered from a debilitating fear of insects, a fear he conquered in second grade by educating himself at his local library. He now uses this knowledge to increase public understanding of these important creatures. Ramsey’s work to address the decline of bee populations has taken him around the globe to better understand how pollinator pandemics start, and how they can be stopped. Together with National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory, Ramsey and his work will be featured in the National Geographic documentary ‘Secrets of the Bees’, expected to air in April on National Geographic and Disney+.

National Geographic Explorer Justin Jin is an internationally acclaimed photographer and filmmaker. In his work, he documents the human dimension of global change. Operating at the intersection of people and technology, Jin explores both the environmental consequences of modern development and the societal impacts of technological progress for communities around the world. Jin’s work has been frequently published in National Geographic magazine and was included in the list of the best Pictures of the Year in 2025.

Boyes, founder of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, has dedicated his life to conserving Africa’s wilderness areas and the species that depend upon them. This project involves a multi-year effort aimed at exploring and protecting the Angolan Highlands Water Tower, which is the water source for the world’s largest transboundary conservation area and two-thirds of Africa’s remaining elephants. . Boyes is known for his dauntless explorations of science’s uncharted areas, like a recent voyage to a mythical herd of ‘Ghost Elephants’.

A recipient of the prestigious 2024 Wayfinder Award, Costa has dedicated his career to protecting Angola’s natural and cultural heritage. As the Angola country director for the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, he led scientific expeditions deep into some of southern Africa’s most remote rivers, while advocating for the powerful role of Indigenous ecological knowledge. Together with Boyes, Costa went on a mission to follow a mysterious herd of ‘Ghost Elephants’ in the jungles of Angola. Their exciting adventures have been featured in National Geographic’s documentary ‘Ghost Elephants’, which premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in 2025.