Robert Hernandez

In his 30 years with the National Geographic Society, Rob Hernandez has served as senior editor of National Geographic magazine and the head of Strategic Planning. Later, he would expand the organization’s global footprint by founding its International Publishing division. As its senior vice president, he helped produce books, magazines, maps, and TV in over 40 languages for distribution in 120 countries. During this time, Rob was actively involved in National Geographic projects with charitable missions in the areas of science, exploration, and conservation. He completed his career at The Walt Disney Company by leading its Global Magazine division.

An ecologist by education and an explorer by passion, Rob spent 2 years as a young man circumnavigating the Pacific and Indian oceans in a small sailboat. Afterwards, he researched and filmed lions in Africa, a year-long endeavor which led to a career in photojournalism. His work has appeared globally in numerous popular media, including books, magazines, and TV. Later, he would join the eco-travel visionary Lars Lindblad in developing ship-borne adventure travel to some of the world’s most remote regions, serving as an expedition leader and chief naturalist on the pioneering vessel Lindblad Explorer. Since then, he has led several trips for National Geographic, as well as his own expeditions. Born in the US but raised in Cuba and Spain, he now lives in Connecticut, where he continues to pursue his passion for the conservation of the planet’s cultures, wildlife, and environments.