Meet Azi Sharif | Azi Sharif, PhD | Founder & Executive Director, Wildlife Jewels®

We had the good fortune of connecting with Azi Sharif and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Azi, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the magical beauty, intricate details, and fascinating behaviors of wildlife.

What should our readers know about your business?
Wildlife Jewels® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2023, dedicated to protecting wildlife from human-caused threats. Our programs span habitat restoration and native planting, marine debris removal, coastal wildlife monitoring and rescue, ocean education, and art-based conservation initiatives that connect people with the beauty—and fragility—of wildlife.

What sets us apart is our enduring passion and deep connection with wildlife. I began sketching wildlife at age four, and that early bond still guides our work. In 2014 I founded the Wildlife Jewels Collection, naming each painting after a gemstone to honor a species’ rarity and the urgency to protect it. Today, that passion drives a unique fusion of storytelling, fine art, science, and field action: we bring people into lasting connection with wildlife through education, creative exhibits, community science, and hands-on programs

The journey hasn’t been easy. Protecting wildlife means confronting limited resources and systemic gaps—but our commitment has remained strong. Each time we encounter a wildlife in need, we make it a priority to act, and that urgency keeps us moving forward. We’ve overcome obstacles by building a community of volunteers, partners, and supporters who share our belief that everyone can play a role in protecting wildlife. From our local coastal wildlife monitoring and rescue initiatives to global awareness campaigns and collaborations with partners that help wildlife worldwide, I’m proud of how our mosaic of art, science, and action empowers all ages—through children’s art workshops, coastal cleanups, pollinator plantings, and search-and-response efforts for distressed wildlife—while spotlighting species from Antarctic krill to African rhinos and Persian cheetahs.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that passion and persistence create change. Wildlife are the Jewels—and they’re vanishing at an alarming pace due to human-caused threats. Through creativity, community, action, and innovative collaborations, we can—and must—cherish and protect them.”
— Azi Sharif, PhD, Founder & Executive Director, Wildlife Jewels®

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start at Crystal Cove State Park—exploring tidepools and spotting willets and gulls—then head to La Jolla Cove for majestic pelicans, cormorants, seals, and sea lions. We’d spend beach days at Corona del Mar and Fletcher Cove, ending with sunset walks and seabird watching. One afternoon would be at Upper Newport Bay to connect art and ocean science while experiencing the magical life of the wetlands.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to the incredible community of volunteers, supporters, and mentors who’ve walked alongside me on this journey. From those who join our beach cleanups to those who champion our wildlife rescue, conservation, and arts programs, your encouragement and belief in our mission have been invaluable.

Website: https://www.wildlifejewels.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlifejewels/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wildlifejewels/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildlifejewels

Youtube: Wildlife Jewels

Image Credits
© Wildlife Jewels