Enric Sala
Dr. Enric Sala is a former university professor who saw himself writing the obituary of ocean life, and quit academia to become a full-time conservationist as a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. He founded and leads Pristine Seas, a project that combines exploration, research, and media to inspire country leaders to protect the last wild places in the ocean. To date, Pristine Seas has helped to create 22 of the largest marine reserves on the planet, covering an area of 5.8 million square km. 2008 World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader, 2013 Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award, 2013 Environmental Media Association Hero Award, 2016 Russian Geographical Society Award, and 2018 Heinz Award in Public Policy. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Steve Burns
Steve Burns recently retired as Chief Content Officer for CuriosityStream, a five-year-old factual SVOD, pay and liner service, now available in 13-million homes worldwide. Burns rejoined Roller Coaster Road Productions as EP at the company he founded in 2011. He also continues as Special Advisor to CuriosityStream.
His career spans more than 25 years from National Geographic cinematographer/producer to EVP of Production and Chief Science Editor for Discovery Networks, including GM of Science Channel, returning to National Geographic as Executive Vice President of Global Content for NGC worldwide. Before CuriosityStream, Burns was a freelance Executive Producer for WNET/NY’s long-running Secrets of the Dead series for PBS, the Public Broadcast System in the U.S.
He has won multiple industry awards, including two Emmys for 5 Years on Mars and Spirit of the Rainforest. His teams have been nominated for two Academy Awards, won two Peabody Awards and well over 200 Emmy nominations, including dozens of wins, most recently Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places in 2017.
His career spans more than 25 years from National Geographic cinematographer/producer to EVP of Production and Chief Science Editor for Discovery Networks, including GM of Science Channel, returning to National Geographic as Executive Vice President of Global Content for NGC worldwide. Before CuriosityStream, Burns was a freelance Executive Producer for WNET/NY’s long-running Secrets of the Dead series for PBS, the Public Broadcast System in the U.S.
He has won multiple industry awards, including two Emmys for 5 Years on Mars and Spirit of the Rainforest. His teams have been nominated for two Academy Awards, won two Peabody Awards and well over 200 Emmy nominations, including dozens of wins, most recently Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places in 2017.
