Nainoa Thompson and Peter Seligmann

Nainoa Thompson

Nainoa Thompson is a Pwo Navigator and CEO of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. A pioneer in reviving traditional navigation, Nainoa learned to navigate by the stars, ocean swells, and other natural signs from Micronesian Pwo Navigator Mau Piailug. In 1980, he became the first Native Hawaiian in 600 years to navigate the 2,500 miles from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti using ancestral techniques aboard Hōkūleʻa, a double-hulled Polynesian voyaging canoe. He has since captained Hōkūleʻa on more than a dozen voyages, including the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, which promoted care for the oceans and planet. His honors include the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal and the Explorers Club Medal. Through his leadership and teaching, Nainoa has helped preserve Indigenous knowledge and train new generations of navigators.

Polynesian Voyaging Society

The Polynesian Voyaging Society preserves the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration. Through ocean expeditions and hands-on educational programs, the organization passes ancestral knowledge to new generations while inspiring students and communities to care for themselves, one another, and their natural and cultural environments. Founded in 1973, the society draws on the traditions of Polynesian navigation to promote a broader commitment to protecting the planet, emphasizing the importance of oceans, Indigenous knowledge, community, and sustainability.

Peter Seligmann

Peter Seligmann has spent nearly four decades working to protect the natural world and support Indigenous Peoples’ stewardship of their lands and waters. In 1987, he co-founded Conservation International, serving as CEO and Chairman for 30 years and helping establish it as a leading global conservation organization. In 2017, he founded Nia Tero, which has partnered with more than 300 Indigenous Peoples to support the protection of over 300 million acres of ancestral lands and waters. His work reflects a belief that protecting nature requires more than conservation alone, bringing together environmental health, economic opportunity, and the knowledge and leadership of Indigenous communities. Peter is Chairman of Silvania, a fund focused on investing in nature; a Distinguished Professor of Practice at Arizona State University; and a Senior Advisor to BDT & MSD Partners for sustainability and next-generation impact. He also serves on the boards of the Mulago Foundation, the Rob Walton Foundation, and The New School’s Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility.