Dyan deNapoli

Dyan deNapoli is a penguin expert, a TED and Nat Geo speaker, and the award-winning author of "The Great Penguin Rescue: 40,000 Penguins, A Devastating Oil Spill, and the Inspiring Story of the World’s Largest Animal Rescue." DeNapoli’s first book about penguins for children was released to rave reviews in December of 2020. Already a best-selling book, "All About Penguins: Discover Life on Land and in the Sea" has been endorsed by several renowned penguin experts.

After working as a Penguin Aquarist at Boston’s prestigious New England Aquarium for 9 years, deNapoli began traveling the world as The Penguin Lady, teaching children and adults of all ages about penguin biology, behavior, and conservation. Over the last 23 years, she has captivated hundreds of thousands of audience members with stories of her various experiences with penguins, and with her deep passion and extensive knowledge about them. She donates 20% of the proceeds from her book and from every appearance to penguin rescue, research, and conservation groups.

DeNapoli is a frequent guest on national and international radio, podcasts, and TV – and a go-to expert whenever penguins hit the news, including repeat appearances on the BBC, CNN, CBC Canada, and Sierra Club Radio. She has been the penguin expert and guest lecturer on several nature cruises to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands, and is thrilled to be a regular guest speaker for Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. In 2016, deNapoli was one of 76 female scientists from around the globe selected for the inaugural voyage of Homeward Bound; a 10-year leadership initiative for women in STEM carried out in Antarctica.

DeNapoli has spoken at four TEDx conferences, and wrote and narrated a video about penguin conservation for TED–Ed; the educational branch of TED. Her 2011 TEDxBoston talk about the remarkable rescue of 40,000 penguins from the Treasure oil spill is featured on the main TED website. Her TED, TEDx, and TED-Ed videos have now been viewed nearly one million times.