For 17 years, Terry Garcia served as Executive Vice President and Chief Science and Exploration Officer for the National Geographic Society where he was responsible for the Society’s core mission programs including those that supported and managed more than 400 scientific field research, conservation and exploration projects annually.

Under his leadership, the Society’s science and education programs experienced significant growth in global impact and prominence. He led National Geographic’s successful domestic and international retail licensing, experiential entertainment, 3D/large format films and live events division, and its education foundation. Terry also was responsible for the growth and expansion of the National Geographic Museum and its traveling exhibitions, developing and launching some of the most successful exhibitions of the last decade, including the seven-year global tour of Tutankhamun’s Treasures seen by more than 10 million people.

In June 2010, he was appointed by President Obama to serve on the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. He investigated the root causes of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and made recommendations on how to prevent future incidents. In 2011, he received Peru’s highest civilian award, La Orden del Sol del Perú, for his role in helping repatriate a collection of ancient artifacts taken from Machu Picchu in 1912.

Prior to joining National Geographic, Terry was the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere for the US Department of Commerce, and the Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He also served as NOAA’s General Counsel from 1994 to 1996. Prior to his years in service of our natural world, Terry was a partner at a Los Angeles law firm.

Terry is currently leading Exploration Ventures, which provides strategic advice and counsel to global clients in a range of sectors.

Recently, Terry co-authored a book, The Future of Exploration: Discovering the Uncharted Frontiers of Science, Technology, and Human Potential (2023, Earth Aware Editions, Simon & Schuster) with National Geographic Photographer Chris Rainier and more than three dozen leading explorers, including Bob Ballard, Richard Branson, Yvon Chouinard, Sylvia Earle, Jane Goodall, Zahi Hawass, Paula Kahumbu, Louise Leakey, Wasfia Nazreen, and Nainoa Thompson. At this critical point in time for the planet and its inhabitants, they share their insights about what motivates them, what is left to explore, and why we should care.