Eric Desatnik

Eric Desatnik is the Director of Public Relations at the X PRIZE Foundation, a non-profit with a mission of bringing about technological breakthroughs via large-scale incentivized competitions including the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE and the $10 million Qualcomm Tricorder X PRIZE.  

With a decade-spanning academic and professional background in both the entertainment industry and environmental advocacy, Eric Desatnik has carved a niche at the intersection of the two fields.

Prior to X PRIZE, Eric spearheaded communications efforts at WildAid, overseeing public relations, strategic partnerships, social media, and celebrity ambassador engagement. 

Eric founded and programmed the Environmental Film Festival at Yale, which has since grown to become one of the leading environmental film festivals in the world. For his work on this, Eric was named one of Variety’s “Standout Students” of 2010.

Alongside Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson, Eric served as Executive Producer of the documentary, The Whale, a “Critic’s Pick” by the New York Times and the Washington Post, about a lone killer whale who befriends humans off the west coast of Canada.

Eric’s background in the entertainment industry includes positions at George Magazine, Management 360, and BWR Public Relations, where he executed publicity campaigns for clients including Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Eric holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Yale University and is certified as a LEED Accredited Professional by the U.S. Green Building Council.