Ben Paynter

Ben Paynter currently serves as the Editorial Director for Multi-Platform Features at National Geographic, where responsibilities include leading ambitious storytelling across diverse topics. Prior to this role, Paynter was the Features Editor at Men's Health, successfully building a digital-first feature strategy and overseeing a wide range of editorial processes. Previous experience also includes serving as a Senior Writer at Fast Company, where investigative work spanned business, technology, and philanthropy, and contributions to various notable publications such as Bloomberg Businessweek, Wired Magazine, and Fast Company Magazine. Paynter's extensive background in journalism began with a position as a Staff Writer at The Pitch, where early work garnered recognition in Best American Sportswriting. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Paynter has consistently demonstrated expertise in storytelling and editorial leadership throughout a distinguished career in media.