Our Staff

Planet Forward engages young people to share the stories of innovators and solutions to the biggest challenges facing our planet. Through media, teaching and convening we empower new voices and elevate compelling ideas. This is the team that makes it happen on a daily basis.

Frank Sesno

Founder and Chief Executive, Planet Forward

Frank Sesno loves stories. He's been telling them all his life. In high school, through his student newspaper. In college, on the radio. In his 21 years with CNN, through pictures, interviews, and documentaries. As CNN White House...

Kim Ossi

Associate Director, Planet Forward

Kim is the associate director and former senior managing editor for Planet Forward. She joined the team as temporary help for the 2015 Summit and quickly decided she just wasn’t going to leave because she fell in love with the team and the...

Lisa Palmer

Education Lead, Planet Forward

Lisa Palmer is the National Geographic Professor of Science Communication at George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs. At Planet Forward, she leads education and outreach programs with the goal of improving scientific...

Imani Cheers

Director of Academic Adventures, Planet Forward

Dr. Imani M. Cheers is an award-winning digital storyteller with a passion for moving the planet forward. Dr. Cheers is originally from Chicago but grew up in post-apartheid South Africa. That's where her love for the environment...

Victoria Middleton

Digital Content Producer & Assistant Editor, Planet Forward

Victoria is a writer, editor, and videographer and Planet Forward's Digital Content Producer and Assistant Editor.

Victoria grew up in rural, southern Delaware, caught in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. Her first...

Latest

Introducing our 2021 FAO Summer Storytelling Fellows

Staff fill boxes with food at Pittsburgh area food bank

As the need for food continued to grow during the pandemic, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank called on the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and opened an additional, temporary food box packing site. Food access, food security, nutrition, and environmental justice challenges are among the topics our fellows will explore in their stories this summer. (Melissa Murray/Creative Commons)

Frank Sesno

Founder and Chief Executive, Planet Forward

Four students will produce stories at the nexus of food security, agriculture, and nutrition, and work under the guidance of GW’s National Geographic Professor of Science Communication, Lisa Palmer.

Peril & Promise: The new EPA Administrator is leading with environmental justice

Frank Sesno

Founder and Chief Executive, Planet Forward

Environmental justice has a seat at the head table with new EPA Administrator Michael Regan, in our latest episode of Peril & Promise.

Peril & Promise: How is climate change changing the way we view food?

Despite how it looks, this is not a plate of eggs. It's a plant-based egg substitute that looks and tastes remarkably like the real thing.

Frank Sesno

Founder and Chief Executive, Planet Forward

Would you eat plant-based eggs or lab-grown meat? Health and climate are inspiring change in what’s on the menu.

Hear from EPA Administrator, Al Roker at the 2021 Summit

Frank Sesno

Founder and Chief Executive, Planet Forward

Our 2021 Summit event hosted some of the most compelling guests — and conversations — we've ever had. Whether you want to re-watch a portion, or check out the entire event, we have all the info here.