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
• NBC News interview: National Geographic Releases its Annual ‘Pictures of the Year’ Issue (2024)
• Petapixel interview: Nat Geo ‘Pictures of the Year’ Celebrates Photography’s Enduring Impact (2024)
• NBC News interview: How National Geographic selects the ‘pictures of the year’ (2023)
• Petapixel interview: NG’s Photo Director’s Thoughts on the 2023 ‘Pictures of the Year’
• USA Today interview: NG Reveals Breathtaking Photos of Wildlife, Science, and Travel for 2023 ‘Pictures of the Year’
• National Geographic Overheard Podcast interview: 2022 Pictures of the Year special issue.
• Forbes interview: “More Women Than Ever Are Leading Outdoor Media. Here’s What That Means”
• National Geographic video: What does it Mean to be a National Geographic Photo Editor?
• Vogue Italia magazine: Wrote article
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.
Corey Arnold
Jimmy Chin
David Doubilet
Jasper Doest
Mark Fisher
Jen Hayes
Ben Knight
Keith Ladzinski
Pete McBride
Cristina Mittermeier
Paul Nicklen
Katie Orlinsky
Renan Ozturk
Matthieu Paley
Louie Palu
Carsten Peter
Cory Richards
Taylor Rees
Mikey Schaefer
Robbie Shone
Brent Stirton
Amy Toensing
Ami Vitale
Chai Vasarhelyi