Jill Heinerth

Jill Heinerth, FRCGS, D. Lit. h.c., Explorer-in-Residence, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society

More people have walked on the moon than visited many of the places Jill Heinerth has explored on Earth. From the most dangerous technical dives deep inside underwater caves to swimming through giant Antarctic icebergs, Heinerth collaborates with climatologists, archaeologists, biologists, and engineers worldwide.

Jill has made award-winning TV programs for the CBC, National Geographic, and the BBC, consulted on movies for directors including James Cameron and produced independent documentary films. Over two and a half million people have learned about climate change, water advocacy, and exploration by viewing Jill’s motivational TED Talks. A gifted storyteller, Jill is an active contributor to several magazines.

She was named the first Explorer-in-Residence of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the inaugural recipient of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration. She was awarded Fellowships from numerous prestigious institutions such as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences, Women Diver’s Hall of Fame, National Speleological Society, WINGS WorldQuest, and the Explorers Club, which honored her with the distinguished William Beebe Award for ocean exploration.The Wall Street Journal, Oprah Magazine, and the New York Times have lauded Jill’s best-selling memoir Into the Planet. Dolly Parton selected Jill’s book, The Aquanaut, for her Imagination Library program. In 2024, Running Cloud Productions of Australia is set to release a feature documentary, Diving Into The Darkness, shedding light on Jill’s remarkable life.

Beyond her adventures, Jill serves as a tireless advocate for underwater conservation, climate change, and water resource protection. Over the past thirty-plus years, she has diligently worked towards creating awareness, documenting, and inspiring action through her writing, photography, films, social media, podcasts, and speaking engagements.