Storytelling and community-building at the National Geographic Headquarters

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of spending time at the National Geographic Headquarters in Washington DC as a National Geographic Explorer. Stepping into this historical space that has long shaped how the world understands nature and culture was grounding, and I seized this rare opportunity to reflect on all the environmentalists who came before me and how I can harness their wisdom moving forward.
 

In true National Geographic fashion, our time together centred on the craft and responsibility of storytelling. Through sessions led by award-winning storytellers, directors, and producers, we explored how simple yet powerful visuals can communicate complex realities. A recurring theme across these conversations was the idea that stories are never neutral. A story can make or break a community, and learning how to tell stories with care, clarity, and integrity is essential to the work many of us are engaged in.

One of my most meaningful moments was sharing my own work through a “Mission Moment”, a storytelling format built around three visuals delivered in three minutes. Distilling my years of nonprofit management and policy advocacy into a clear narrative, I presented my story to the National Geographic staff, including C-suite members such as CEO Jill Tiefenthaler and Chief Explorer Engagement officer Alexander Moen. I spoke about my experiences building coalitions through my youth-led nonprofit, Youths United for Earth, and on my work with policymakers and communities in drafting ASEAN’s first Environmental Rights Declaration (which got adopted by government leaders on the day I presented!).

Beyond the formal programme, I felt most inspired by the community of Explorers. I was blessed with an exceptional mentor, Dr Serena McCalla, an accomplished scientist and Emmy Award winner! Her generosity and encouragement shaped so much of my personal growth, and I left Washington DC with a clearer resolve to improve the way I manage and document my work. I also built deep friendships with my fellow Explorers, whose work ranges from revitalising coral reef systems and protecting indigenous languages to building robots for reforestation. After spending a week with this group of diverse and deeply committed individuals, I’m reminded of the need to foster collaboration across disciplines and geographies to tackle our environmental crisis. 

I am so grateful to the National Geographic Society for this opportunity. Leaving the National Geographic Headquarters, I carry with me new tools for thoughtful and ethical storytelling, and a renewed sense of responsibility as an Explorer truly working to “illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.”

Whilst studying the MSc Environmental Change Management (ECM) at the ECI, Max was chosen as one of National Geographic Society’s 2025 Young Explorers for his work as a climate justice advocate and non-profit leader from Malaysia mobilising youth for climate action.

During his time as an MSc ECM postgraduate at Oxford, he wanted to "focus on strengthening my analytical and technical skill set, with particular attention to the intersections between economics, governance, and environmental justice." 

For his dissertation, he researched doughnut economics in Malaysia and the Global South with Kate Raworth, Senior Teaching Fellow at the ECI. He says the programme sharpened his ability to sit with the tension of diverse perspectives of environmental issues and reimagine better futures. 

Alongside his studies, he continued his work in climate and environmental rights advocacy, grounding academic lessons in real-world organising and policy processes. 

Max is now building on this experience with a Master's in Public Policy at Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government and is working on a number of projects bridging research, policy and grassroots action.