Emmy Award-Winning Correspondent & Investigative Journalist
Mariana van Zeller: Biography at a Glance
- Mariana van Zeller is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker known for her bold and empathetic approach to exploring the global black and gray markets that make up a significant portion of the world economy.
- As the host and executive producer of Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller on National Geographic, Mariana set a record for National Geographic with 20 Emmy nominations in one season, securing five wins.
- Mariana’s powerful storytelling and investigative work have earned her prestigious honors, including a Peabody, a duPont, and a Livingston Award, positioning her as a leading authority on the world’s “hidden third” — multi-trillion-dollar markets operating outside traditional economies.
- She has delivered inspiring talks on her unique experiences as a journalist and mother reporting in dangerous underground economies, speaking at renowned events such as TEDx, Estoril Conferences, and Money 20/20, captivating audiences with her insights and personal stories.
- Co-founder of Muck Media, Mariana has also been instrumental in producing critically acclaimed documentaries such as Science Fair, Mucho Mucho Amor, and American Pain, further showcasing her commitment to telling compelling, impactful stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
Videos
Biography
Mariana is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker. She is currently the host and executive producer of National Geographic’s series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller. The show, now in its fifth season, is an unprecedented and nuanced look at global black markets and trafficking networks. In 2024, Mariana’s Trafficked series set National Geographic’s all-time record with 20 News and Documentary Emmy nominations, and ultimately racked up five wins. Mariana’s work has also earned her a Peabody, a duPont, a Television Academy Honor, and the Livingston Award for Young Journalists.
Known for her bold and empathetic reporting, Mariana has become a leading authority on what economists call “the hidden third,” the multi-trillion dollar black and gray markets that comprise up to a third of the global economy. Over the years, Mariana has led groundbreaking investigations into the opioid crisis, immigration, and the recent explosion of scamming as a global industry. Mariana has spoken widely about her experience of being a woman and mother reporting on the world’s shadow economy including at TEDx, the Estoril Conferences, Money 20/20, Women in Cable TV, and D23.
Mariana is the co-founder of Muck Media, the production company that produces Trafficked along with the Emmy and Sundance-winning feature documentary Science Fair, Netflix’s beloved original Mucho Mucho Amor, and HBO Max’s critically acclaimed American Pain.
Born and raised in Portugal, Mariana moved to the US to study journalism at Columbia University. One month into the program, she was reporting back to Europe on the events of 9/11. The event, she has said, set the course for the type of reporting she wanted to do.
Topics
The Economics of Black Markets
Almost half of the world's economy is dominated by black and gray markets. And yet we know very little about them. Investigative reporter Mariana Van Zeller has reported on it all - drugs, guns, scams, organ trafficking, human smuggling, and more. Having spent the last 20 years gaining unprecedented access into these often secretive worlds, Mariana shares with audiences why they exist, how they operate, and what she has learned from them.
Approaching the World's Biggest Problems with Humanity
In telling stories about some of the world's most prolific scammers, Mariana Van Zeller has to ignore stereotypes and stigmas in order to find the humanity in each of her subjects. She has traveled the globe to shed light on the issues impacting our world today.
In this conversation, Mariana shares the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and working to build bridges with people from all walks of life to solve the world's biggest problems.
Gender Bias in the Workplace
As a woman working in the male-dominated world of criminals, outlaws, and traffickers, Mariana Van Zeller shares her insights on how to use gender bias as an advantage in any hostile environment.
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FAQs
How do I book Mariana van Zeller for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Mariana van Zeller to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Mariana van Zeller's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Mariana van Zeller’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Mariana van Zeller in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Mariana van Zeller's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Mariana van Zeller's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Mariana van Zeller, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Mariana van Zeller's speaking fee?
Mariana van Zeller's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Mariana van Zeller's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Mariana van Zeller's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Mariana van Zeller as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Mariana van Zeller as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Mariana van Zeller's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Mariana van Zeller's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Mariana van Zeller for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Mariana van Zeller speaking engagements.
Official contact for Mariana van Zeller bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/mariana-van-zeller
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Mariana van Zeller.
Is Mariana van Zeller available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Mariana van Zeller speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Mariana van Zeller's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Mariana van Zeller's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Mariana van Zeller's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Mariana van Zeller for?
Book Mariana van Zeller for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Mariana van Zeller customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Mariana van Zeller engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Mariana van Zeller can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Mariana van Zeller booking information and availability
Check Mariana van Zeller's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Mariana van Zeller for your preferred event date.
Book Mariana van Zeller keynote speaker through CAA
Book Mariana van Zeller through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Mariana van Zeller, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Mariana van Zeller's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Mariana van Zeller for your next event.
Will Mariana van Zeller speak at private events?
Yes, Mariana van Zeller speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Mariana van Zeller's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Mariana van Zeller?
CAA Speakers responds to Mariana van Zeller booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Mariana van Zeller?
Book Mariana van Zeller 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Mariana van Zeller pricing information?
Get Mariana van Zeller pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.