Photo by Rebecca Hale, National Geographic

Bio

Sadie Quarrier is an enterprise content executive and award-winning visual leader with more than two decades of experience producing and overseeing National Geographic’s content in print, digital, and social platforms. She excels at motivating large teams in an evolving media landscape and is passionate about telling stories that inspire, enlighten, and have positive impact.

As the Editorial Director of Integrated Storytelling at National Geographic, she serves as the editorial lead on enterprise priority initiatives, collaborating closely with senior counterparts across the organization – TV/film, magazines, social, digital, books, and non-profit partner National Geographic Society – to align storytelling strategy, brand priorities, and audience engagement across platforms. She reports directly to the editor in chief.

Previously as the Director of Photography (2021-2024), Sadie provided strategic leadership and critical direction for National Geographic’s visual storytelling, overseeing the development and execution of ambitious, visually exceptional stories designed to resonate with global audiences.

From 2019-2021 she was the Deputy Director of Mobile Storytelling, leading senior producers creating award-winning, visually-driven social and standalone videos, including Instagram, TikTok, and special-build tap stories.

Earlier in her career Sadie served as a Sr. Photo Editor at National Geographic magazine producing and overseeing more than 75 feature stories. She was twice named a Visual Editor of the Year finalist by Pictures of the Year International, and served many years on the National Geographic Expeditions Council and Young Explorers Grant Committees contributing to grant making decisions supporting exploration and conservation.

Sadie has worked internationally on assignments and educational initiatives, including National Geographic Photo Camps, and brings a global perspective to leadership, mentorship, and storytelling strategy.

Leadership & Advisory


I believe strong storytelling leadership starts with identifying fresh ways to reach diverse audiences; applying platform-specific creative strategy; producing exceptional work that stays true to brand and mission; and cultivating a collaborative team environment that inspires creativity, positivity, and excellence.

Alongside my executive role, I engage in advisory, board-level, and public-facing work with organizations focused on conservation, science, wildlife, social impact and storytelling. I’m most effective in roles where strategic storytelling, audience engagement, and mission clarity are essential to success.

Philosophy:


Selected Leadership & Advisory Roles:

Panelist, moderator, and keynote speaker on visual storytelling, audience engagement, and leadership
SXSW, DC Environmental Film Festival, Review Sante Fe, Mountainfilm, La Palma Photo Conference, Banff Mountain Film Festival

Juror and advisor for international photography, journalism, and conservation organizations
Ocean Photographer of the Year, NYT Portfolio Review, Lens Culture, UNESCO, Mountainfilm, Banff Mountain Film Festival

Instructor and mentor for emerging and mid-career storytellers, editors, and general public
U. of Missouri College Photographer of the Year, Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic Photo Camps, Summit Adventure Photo Workshops

Advisor on narrative strategy and visual identity for mission-driven projects and partnerships

Media Interviews

Photographer Stephen Wilkes and Director/Photographer Jimmy Chin at the premiere of The Photographer. Photo by Bryan Bedder, Getty Images


Awards


NPPA Magazine Picture Editor of the Year (1st)
NPPA Picture Editing Team of the Year (1st )
POY Visual Editor of the Year (2nd Place and finalist)
POY Angus McDougall Award for Excellence in Editing (finalist, multiple years)
Webby Best Use of Photography, Web and Mobile (winner multiple years)
Webby and People’s Voice Social Best Photography and Design (winner)
Webby Best Overall Social Presence (winner multiple years)
ASME Social Media (finalist)
SPD Social Story (Gold)
SPD Video of the Year (finalist)
SPD Feature Video: News/Documentary (finalist)

154 individual and team industry awards including:

Collaborators

I’ve had some incredible collaborations with talented creators over the years. They are driven specialists at the top of their game. It’s impossible to list all so I’ll rotate in new names periodically.

Everest Base Camp (17,500') in 2012 with most of our team: North Face athletes, Mayo Clinic and Montana State University staff, writer Mark Jenkins, and me. Mayo was studying the affects of altitude on athletes, and MSU was there to get a new measurement of Everest.

Photographers / Filmmakers / Directors

Explorers

Writers / Editors

Maps / Art

Bad Ass Women Leaders