National Geographic elevates exec in DEI content push

Karen Greenfield

National Geographic Content has promoted Karen Greenfield to the newly created position of SVP of content, diversity and inclusion.

Greenfield, who previously served as Nat Geo’s SVP of business operations, and diversity and inclusion council chair, will now take on the additional responsibilities of developing and executing “programs and initiatives to produce diverse and inclusive content and contribute to a culture of belonging across all Nat Geo Content teams.”

The company said that she will also work with leaders across The Walt Disney Company to ensure Nat Geo talent and programming are integrated into companywide DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion) initiatives. Greenfield will report directly to National Geographic Content president Courteney Monroe and will continue to be based at the company’s headquarters in Washington DC.

As well as Greenfield’s promotion, the company announced that the Nat Geo Media Scholarship program, which supports students who attend historically Black colleges or universities, would continue for a second year. Greenfield leads the initiative, which last year awarded four students a $10,000 scholarship, alongside a two-week program at Nat Geo HQ and mentorship with a member of the team.

“For 134 years, National Geographic has used the power of storytelling to change the world. An essential component of that is ensuring that everyone’s voice is included,” said Monroe.

“Karen is an exceptional executive with a proven track record leading diversity and inclusion initiatives and working with the world’s leading content creators. I am thrilled that Karen will be leveraging her extraordinary talents and passion to help guide us in our mission to inspire and elevate diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our work and storytelling, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Greenfield commented: “I could not be prouder to not only work for National Geographic, an iconic brand whose mission is to ensure all voices are included in storytelling, but also work alongside Courteney and her senior team, who believe in this value. The greenlight of the second year of the Nat Geo Media Scholarship is a testament to their commitment.”