Polar explorer

Citizen scientist

Storyteller of hope

Translator of extremes

For more than three decades, I’ve lived and led at the edges of the Earth—skiing to the South Pole, overwintering for 19 months in the Arctic, and collecting data as a citizen scientist while storms shook the cabin walls. Those experiences have shaped one clear mission: To help you turn awe into action.

I’m not here to glorify hardship or hang medals on the wall. I’m here to use every expedition, every polar night, and every hard-earned lesson as a doorway—for you.

Through keynotes, classrooms, expeditions, and my Embrace the Planet Project, I work with students, corporate teams, and communities who are ready to:

Find purpose in a time of change. Lead with courage, vulnerability, and heart. Become “citizen scientists” in their own lives and communities.

From the frozen silence of the Arctic and Antarctic to global stages like TEDx, I invite you to explore what matters most—within yourself and across our shared planet.

If you’re looking for sensationalism, you won’t find it here. If you’re looking for truth, courage, and a way forward, you will.

Your journey starts here.

An explorer turned citizen scientist reveals how ordinary people can contribute to cutting-edge research, from tracking polar bears to partnering with NASA. Through stories of survival, climate change, and connection to the natural world, discover why protecting what we love may be the most important expedition of all.

Bring Sunniva to your event

Spellbinding | Illuminating | Inspirational

  • A smiling woman dressed in outdoor hiking gear, standing in a forest with tall trees and a cloudy sky, holding a camera in her right hand.

    “Your journey touched all of us that were privileged to hear it.”

    Kim Lopez Puikunas, Assistant Dean  Eleanor Roosevelt College

  • A woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a yellow patterned sweater, resting her arms on a wooden chair, smiling softly.

    "Sunniva’s motivational speech ranks among the very best speakers I’ve encountered.”

    Melissa Quinn, Corporate Strategy at RightMesh

  • A woman outdoors wearing a blue beanie, red jacket, and blue pants, smiling and looking to the side in a wooded area.

    “She seamlessly connected with young people by sharing awe-inspiring stories”

    Julia Majors, Public Relations Manager, National 4-H Council

  • Woman with blonde hair wearing a black beanie, black fleece jacket, and backpack, smiling at the camera, against a dark background.

    “You inspired us to go for their dreams. Your powerful words were backed up by the testimony of your experiences.”

    Michael K. Shanks, D.C. Director of PSPS

  • A smiling woman with glasses and shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white blouse, standing with arms crossed in front of a white paneled wall.

    “Your attitude and respect for the students as well as your true story made all the difference in their experience.”

    Dee L. Aker, Ph.D.

  • A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a blue jacket sitting at a wooden table, smiling while using a silver laptop.

    “Your stories were spellbinding and full of vivid pictures that will stay in our minds forever!”

    Kristen Richetti, Principal Juvenile Court & Board of Education

  • A smiling woman with glasses sitting at a table, holding a pen and writing in a notebook, with a book and a phone nearby.

    “You are both illuminating and inspiration. A remarkable feat that encourages us all to reach for the stars!”

    Sophie W. Kinyua, Chapter Administrator YPO

  • A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a black blazer, smiling while standing indoors in front of glass doors.

    "An explorer with a rare kind of courage, wisdom, compassion and commitment to the health and well being of our planet. Her ability to connect intimately with audiences is truly magical"

    Dr.Ken Druck, Ph.D., best-selling author

  • Woman wearing a blue jacket and matching beanie hiking outdoors with a red backpack and black binoculars, smiling among trees and bushes.

    "Sunniva's knowledge and wide-ranging experience makes her one of the best advocates for the issue of climate change in the Polar regions."

    Maria Pia Casarini, Vice-President of Polar Educators International

  • A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a blue jacket sitting at a wooden table with a laptop and green plants in the background.

    "Through example she demonstrates how we should connect with the natural world of the polar regions. An inspiration to all of us who care for our planet."

    Prof. Peter Wadhams, polar scientist, author of "A Farewell to Ice"

Woman sitting in a gray armchair reading a book titled 'Hearts in the Ice'. She is wearing a blue jacket and glasses, with sunglasses resting on her head. Behind her are residential buildings and plants.

An epic expedition. Hearts in the Ice co -Author Sunniva Sorby

An adventure-filled historic account of the first women to overwinter in Svalbard. Read about Hilde and Sunniva’s epic expedition to inspire and engage action around climate change.

Available on Amazon

Explorer | Activist | Educator

Logo featuring a stylized footprint with four smaller circles inside and the word 'MISSION' below.

Redefining what it takes to embrace our planet. One idea. One person. One heart at a time .

An illustration of a hand holding the Earth with the word Purpose underneath.

Providing an explorer mindset to unite us all. Connecting hearts through Hearts in the Ice.

A simple line drawing of a sprouting plant with two leaves and a mound of earth below, with the word 'VALUE' beneath.

Wildness and wisdom to create wonder and hope. Respect for living things and living beings.