The Short Story

Danielle Khan Da Silva (she/they) is an award-winning South Asian–Portuguese scientist-turned-storyteller, National Geographic Explorer, and founder of Photographers Without Borders. Known for her work at the intersections of Indigenous science, decolonization, conservation, and ethical storytelling, she documents global movements for land, water, and collective liberation. Her long-term projects span orca matriarchs and Coast Salish knowledge systems, interspecies communication in French Polynesia, ocean guardianship in Colombia, and Indigenous women in Indonesia protecting critically endangered orangutan and tiger kin. Her work has been featured by National Geographic, The Guardian, Patagonia, The Globe and Mail, the United Nations, and The Economist, among others.

The Long Story

Danielle Khan Da Silva (she/they) is a South Asian–Portuguese scientist-turned-storyteller whose work sits at the powerful convergence of conservation, justice, and imagination. She is a dual Canadian and British citizen. As a National Geographic Explorer, she creates long-form, transdisciplinary projects that bridge Western science with Indigenous knowledge systems and emergent methods of intuitive interspecies communication. Her current work explores the deep parallels between orcas and Coast Salish matriarchal leadership; conversations between human and non-human kin in French Polynesia; ocean guardians in Colombia; and the courageous networks of Indigenous women in Indonesia who are safeguarding their forests and critically endangered species.

Danielle’s writing centers climate, conservation, decolonization, collective liberation, and ethical storytelling—recognizing that we cannot solve today’s crises with the same mindsets that created them. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, Patagonia, The Globe and Mail (A1), British Journal of Photography, National Geographic, the United Nations, The Independent, The Economist, and in academic publications including Cities, Slums and Gender in the Global South and Climate Governance in the Developing World.

Leadership & Impact

Dani is the Founder and Executive Director of Photographers Without Borders (PWB) and the architect of its acclaimed annual Reclaim Power mentorship program, which nurtures emerging storytellers working for justice and environmental protection worldwide.

She holds an Honours BSc. in conservation biology, psychology, and global studies from the University of Western Ontario, and an MSc. in Environment & Development from the London School of Economics. Her distinguished Master’s research examined the psychology of climate-change messaging, offering insight into how narratives can mobilize collective action.

Dani has consulted for diverse organizations on Indigenous science, rematriation, land and water stewardship, and narrative strategy. She taught for several years in the Environmental Visual Communications post-graduate program at Fleming College, delivered at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Speaking & Thought Leadership

Dani is a sought-after speaker known for bringing scientific depth, cultural humility, and visionary storytelling to audiences worldwide. Recent engagements include:

• National Geographic Society 2025 – Listen to the Animals

• Bioneers 2025 – Rethinking Conservation (Panel)

• National Geographic Explorer Fest 2023 – Inclusive Approaches to a Complex Idea

• National Geographic Exodus Fest 2019 – Rediscovering the Role of Humanity

• TEDx – Connection is the Key to Conservation

• TEDx – Grassroots Narrative

• Host – Storytelling for Change Podcast

Recognition & Awards

Dani was one of the inaugural Sony Alpha Female award recipients and a three-time Safina Center Fellow, later serving as a Senior Fellow. She has been honored as a Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leader in Canada, ranked #2 in Matador Network’s Top 17 Female Photographers of 2017, and named in their Top 5 Women Changing Media.

She has been nominated for:

• The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award (2018)

• Canada’s Top 100 Powerful Women (2016)

• The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards (2016)

• The Women in Biz Social Good Award (2015)

She also received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for over a decade of community service and the Helge Hummelvoll Scholarship for the Missouri Photo Workshop (2019). Her mentors include Carl Safina, Ami Vitale, Cristina Mittermeier, Brooke Shaden, the late Dr. Sylvia Chant, and Dra. Rosales Mesa.

Fieldwork, Practice & Creative Discipline

Dani’s love for the ocean informs much of her work. She is trained in underwater photography and cinematography, is an experienced drone operator, and has 18 years of scuba experience (advanced open water, drysuit) in addition to freediving training. Dani is also certified in animal communication, sound therapy, yoga, Ayurveda, reiki (master level), and the Trauma of Money™ method—approaches that expand her understanding of relationality, healing, and ecological connection.

Her documentaries have received numerous awards, and she was featured in an episode of the Photographers Without Borders series Love the Oceans.

Home

Dani lives in a forest beside the mighty Magnetewan River in Ontario, where she shares life with her two chihuahuas.