Tara Keir

Experience

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  SUNY Geneseo

  Apr 2012 - May 2014

  Assistant taught two designated lab periods, held weekly office hours, and graded labs Provided incoming students and their families with a high quality introduction to SUNY Geneseo, highlighting the spirit of the Geneseo community as well as its mission, academic engagement and co-curricular programs in order to ease the transition of new students into this college.

  • Physical Geography Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2013 - May 2014

  • Orientation Advisor

    Apr 2012 - Jan 2014
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  National Geographic

  Sept 2014 - Sept 2022

  Manage, train, recruit and staff National Geographic Talent across our Expeditions travel programs. Maintain organized talent tracking in both Excel and Quickbase. Organize and plan travel assignments for 300+ individuals on 400+ different departures each year. Orchestrated production of catalogs and print marketing, compiled and implemented edits across multiple stakeholders, and coordinated marketing efforts with external partners. Focused on Private Jet product line. Maintained and grew network of travel parters and agencies. Traveled domestically and internationally to present National Geographic mission and Expeditions travel programs at conferences reaching 1,378 travel agencies. Developed and administered travel agent education training for Expeditions product. Created and coordinated print, digital and social content production plans. Overhauled existing data input process for travel agent database and implemented process to clean existing data in the system. Managed incoming data to ensure accuracy of monthly reports. Constructed presentations and generated graphics, designed info-dense one-pagers and sourced images. Researching and annotating scripts and other materials to check credibility, accuracy, and ensure they uphold the standards of National Geographic Society.

  • Trip Talent Manager

    Mar 2020 - Sept 2022

  • Associate Manager of Trip Talent

    Mar 2019 - Mar 2020

  • Marketing Specialist

    Mar 2018 - Mar 2019

  • Expedition Advisor

    Jan 2015 - Mar 2018

  • National Geographic Expeditions- Sales Assistant

    Jan 2015 - Feb 2016

  • Geography Intern- Standards & Practices

    Sept 2014 - Dec 2014
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  Self-employed

  Dec 2022 - now

  Artist and Creative Storyteller
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  National Geographic Society

  Oct 2023 - now

  Awarded a National Geographic Storytelling Grant in 2019 to investigate the socioeconomic drive behind the rhino poaching crisis within Kruger National Park and the Greater Kruger reserves, focused on inside involvement. Work with existing intelligence teams across the Greater Kruger ecosystem and SANParks antipoaching efforts to investigate and analyze ongoing syndicate tactic of recruiting park employees targeting rangers. Conduct investigative interviews with park staff, rangers, prosecutors, local individuals and conservationists.Produce final grant deliverables via Arc-GIS Storymaps which integrate an art portrait series, data visualizations through GIS mapping, and storytelling to inform readers of this lesser-known human side of the poaching crisis, published in 2022.Wrote article for National Geographic's Wildlife Watch published 2021. Show less National Geographic Photo Camp provides a meaningful introduction to photography for young people around the world. Each Photo Camp is an immersive experience where students receive instruction and guidance from world-class National Geographic Explorers and photographers, build skills and confidence, explore the world around them, and develop deep connections with each other. As a Team Leader, help inspire the next generation of storytellers, as they share their ideas and see the power of their own voice through photography and writing. Work one-on-one with students to hone their storytelling skills, closely leading a smaller group of students, and also working with the group as a whole. Through intimate presentations in their own communities and public exhibitions that reach millions of viewers, National Geographic Photo Camp showcases global youth perspectives on issues that are important to all of us. Show less

  • National Geographic Explorer

    Jan 2019 - now

  • National Geographic Photo Camp Team Leader

    Oct 2023 - Oct 2023
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  National Geographic

  Oct 2023 - now

  National Geographic Expert

  Serve as a National Geographic Ambassador to enrich the experience of travelers while on their National Geographic Expedition. Share relevant information and insights with travelers throughout the trip, including providing several lectures about my work as a National Geographic Explorer, relevant research, National Geographic funded projects, and themes explored throughout the departure. Help travelers connect with National Geographic's mission to use the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Trips scheduled on: Southern Africa Safari by Private Jet (Dec 2023) Show less

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  DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

  Oct 2023 - now

  Arts and Humanities Fellow