Disney’s National Geographic has promoted Karen Greenfield to the newly created position of Senior Vice President of content, diversity and inclusion.

In her role, she devises and deploys policies and processes to help the company scale, become more efficient and build upon its culture of creativity and agility. Karen’s leadership has a material effect on productions; process management; vendor, client and employee satisfaction; and company reputation. Karen manages a centralized set of business processes and system applications to minimize complexities and promote effective and consistent operations for the Channels business.

As a seasoned Business Operations executive, she lends strategic planning and budgeting experience with a comprehensive understanding of the culture and values of an international media brand and the business complexities of a non-profit organization with a strong mission.

National Geographic Content president Courteney Monroe said in a statement:

“For 134 years, National Geographic has used the power of storytelling to change the world. An essential component of that is ensuring that everyone’s voice is included.  Karen is an exceptional executive with a proven track record leading diversity and inclusion initiatives and working with the world’s leading content creators. I am thrilled that Karen will be leveraging her extraordinary talents and passion to help guide us in our mission to inspire and elevate diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our work and storytelling, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”

National Geographic Content has also renewed for the second year its Nat Geo Media Scholarship program for students who attend historically Black colleges or universities (HBCU), an initiative led by Greenfield. Last year, the program awarded four recipients a $10,000 scholarship, an opportunity to participate in a two-week immersion program at National Geographic headquarters and a mentorship with a member of the team.

Karen Greenfield also said in a statement:

“I could not be prouder to not only work for National Geographic, an iconic brand whose mission is to ensure all voices are included in storytelling, but also work alongside Courteney and her senior team, who believe in this value. The greenlight of the second year of the Nat Geo Media Scholarship is a testament to their commitment.”

Prior to her current role and with nearly 25 years of production experience working with the world’s leading filmmakers, Karen also led Nat Geo WILD’s Production Management team, who manages all programming requirements and delivery and enforces the Networks’ technical standards across all global media platforms – linear and non-linear.

Karen’s greatest passion is diversity and inclusion. She most recently became Chairperson of National Geographic Partner’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. She ensures proper education, management and inclusion of diverse populations within the workplace. Karen is a mentor to college students and entry level employees of color who are entering the corporate workforce. She describes the difference between diversity and inclusion with a Verna Myers, Esq. quote, “Diversity is being invited to the party, but inclusion is being asked to dance.”

Karen is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park and holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism with a Minor in African American Studies. She is the recipient of Women in Cable Telecommunications’ Leadership Award as well as an honoree for Cablefax’s Influentials Award.

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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