In the midst of the height of summer (or winter, for our friends in the southern hemisphere) we are firing on all cylinders here at WINGS. Our flag is flying – supporting expeditions in Ecuador, India, Angola and Egypt. We are less than three months away from our WINGS Women of Discovery Awards on October 9th, and the Global Explorers forum on October 11th. We’re putting the finishing touches on programming and will be featuring even more speakers from the our community of Explorers, sharing insights and discoveries from their work all over the world.
We’ll also be celebrating this year’s Fellows: Dr. Yara Barros, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Dr. Divya Karnad, Dr. Nuzhafarina Othman, and Dr. Grace C. Young. You’ll find ticket links for both events below.
At a time when global science and conservation funding is increasingly under threat, WINGS is doubling down on our commitment to support women leading critical research and exploration. We’re actively investing in community-building opportunities for our Fellows, and preparing dynamic programming for the WINGS explorers who will be joining us in October for an inspiring day of collaboration, learning, and connection at our Global Explorers Summit.
Below, we’re sharing more about Flag Carrier Allie Reichert’s current expedition to the Ecuadorian Amazon. We’re also bringing WINGS programming to the South Carolina Aquarium through our collaborative partnership, featuring 2011 WINGS Fellow Anna Cummins on September 10th in Charleston, SC.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events this fall. As always, your support and participation allows us to uplift our global community of scientists, explorers and conservationists at a time when it is more critical than ever. If you’d like to get more involved with WINGS, my door is always open.
Yours in Exploration,
CEO, WINGS Women of Discovery
Join us at the 2025 WINGS Women of Discovery Awards Gala
The WINGS Women of Discovery Awards were established in 2003 to recognize extraordinary women making significant contributions to world knowledge and science through exploration. We hope you will join us for this annual gathering of hundreds of Fellows and Flag Carriers from all over the globe. Your support helps to ensure they continue their important work.
Details
WINGS Women of Discovery Awards Gala
583 Park Avenue, New York City
6:00pm Reception
7:00pm Dinner and Awards Program
Cocktail Attire
Please join us in celebrating this year’s WINGS Women of Discovery Awardees at our Women of Discovery Awards on October 9th, 2025. The Women of Discovery Awards were established in 2003 to recognize extraordinary women making significant contributions to world knowledge and science through exploration. You can purchase your tickets to this year’s Gala here.
Purchase your ticket for the 2025 Global Explorers Forum
We’re also excited to welcome you to this year’s Global Explorers Forum on October 11th, 2025. Held each year alongside the Gala, the Forum brings together the brightest minds in exploration and conservation. This year’s 2025 Fellows will take the stage to share their cutting-edge research, latest initiatives, and breakthrough discoveries with peers and the public. You’ll also hear real-time updates from past Fellows and Flag Carriers on their current work.
Confirmed Speakers:
Dr. Divya Karnad, Co-founder, InSeason Fish
Dr. Grace C. Young, X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory
Dr. Nurzhafarina Othman, Founder/Director, Seratu Aatai
Dr. Yara Barros, Jaguars of Iguacu Project
The Forum is a dynamic ideas ecosystem that elevates Fellows’ work, connects generations of explorers, and inspires the next wave of conservation leaders.Purchase your tickets to join us at this year’s Forum here.
Explorer Feature: Allie Reichert
Flag Carrier Allie Reichert is currently on expedition in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, traveling by canoe along the Napo River to four remote communities. During this ten-day journey, Allie and her team will investigate how illegal gold mining impacts women’s health and access to prenatal care and childbirth services.
Allie is working alongside Kichwa midwives from a collective called Amupakin, who practice traditional “vertical birth” methods rooted in ancestral knowledge. The region faces significant challenges, with maternal mortality rates three times higher than Ecuador’s national average, largely due to environmental destruction from illegal mining operations.
Through interviews and surveys with community members, Allie is documenting these health impacts for her PhD dissertation research. The expedition aims to understand the intersection of environmental damage and maternal health in Indigenous communities, with plans to share findings with local leaders and policymakers to work toward solutions.
Save the Date: Anna Cummins Explorer Talk at South Carolina Aquarium
Join 2011 WINGS Fellow Anna Cummins for an Explorer Talk at South Carolina Aquarium on Wednesday, September 10. Anna is a marine conservationist, an environmental educator, and the Co-founder & Executive Director of 5 Gyres.
Anna’s passion for environmental conservation began in childhood, playing in Santa Monica stormdrains and beaches—experiences that sparked her interest in the land-sea connection. She has spent 30 years working in marine conservation, watershed management, and environmental education.
In 2009, Anna and her husband Dr. Marcus Eriksen co-founded 5 Gyres to stop plastic pollution through science, education, and advocacy. The organization uses vetted research to drive policy campaigns, engage corporations to reduce plastic use, and work with communities for local change.
Save the date for the event in Charleston, SC, and stay tuned for ticketing to open soon!
