David Max Braun

An enduring career in journalism gives me perspective and experience across the storytelling spectrum, including for the AP, Argus South African Newspapers, BBC, CNN, National Geographic, NPR, Orchestra World, TechWeb, De Telegraaf, Travel World, and UPI.

Assignments in 80+ countries included visits to Wayana villages in the remote Amazon forest, Sahrawi camps in Algeria and Western Sahara, and a secret UNITA rebel base in Angola. I traveled with Nelson Mandela on his two-week, 11-city Freedom Tour of North America, and with Pres. Clinton and Chelsea Clinton to their foundation's projects across Africa. I covered African peace talks chaired by Fidel Castro in Havana and Boutros Boutros-Ghali in Cairo, and collaborated with Angelina Jolie at World Refugee Day events in Washington. As a member of the National Geographic Expeditions Council, and media representative to the Society's Committee for Research and Exploration, I joined distinguished scientists on 14 field inspections across the planet.

In retirement, I lecture, write, mentor and consult for effective digital content strategies. I travel regularly as host/expert on tours, cruises, and safaris, including for National Geographic Expeditions. My signature global perspectives lecture illuminates two dozen reasons for optimism for Earth's future.