Angela Smith, Founder of Shark Team One - Biography and Mission
I am a marine conservationist, explorer, photographer, filmmaker, writer, educator and researcher specializing in endangered species conservation. I am also the founder and president of the non-profit Shark Team One.
By training citizen scientists and conservationists through ambassadorship and educational expeditions as well as providing a means for scientists to conduct funded research in the field, I am working to bring awareness to dwindling worldwide endangered species populations. Traveling to destinations like Mexico, the Caribbean, Bahamas and the Arctic, I work with non-profit organizations, scientists, governments, policymakers and community stakeholders to help save endangered species and ocean ecosystems.
I am working to create protected areas and save marine species through Shark Team One programs that include field research, outreach, education and long-term conservation goals.
Boards and task forces I serve on are Vice-chair for NGOs at Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI), a National Action Plan by United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection's "Our Florida Reefs” program.
As an underwater photographer my work appears in gallery exhibits, publications and is used by conservation groups worldwide to highlight the need for ocean action. I'm honored to mention that in 2015 I was inducted into the prestigious Ocean Artists Society (OAS). As a documentary filmmaker my work has won awards at numerous national and international film festivals such as BLUE Ocean Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Jackson Hole Science Media Awards and Jackson Hole WILD Living Oceans Film Showcase in partnership with CITES and United Nations Development Program.
Prior to my work in conservation I was a Hollywood film producer working with companies such as CBS, NBC, PBS, Universal Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Warner Brothers and Discovery. I have held Managing Director and Executive Producer positions at Propaganda Films in Los Angeles, New York Media Group and Metropolis Group – London/New York. My film, video, audio and multimedia producer credits include Academy Award winning films, Grammy award winning albums and Peabody Award winning broadcast programming.
Recognition and awards for my work in conservation include; “Community Leader – Ocean Environment Award” from National Week of the Ocean for “Creation of a South Florida presence via community events for awareness of dwindling worldwide shark populations", Blue Ambassador of the Year nomination and finalist for “Significant contributions in South Florida marine conservation", selected to attend PERC’s 2015 Enviropreneur Institute in Bozeman, MT (as a PERC Enviropreneur Fellow) and I am a supported researcher with the S.E.E. (Science, Exploration, Education) Initiative, supported by sponsors such as National Geographic, Sofar Ocean Technologies and Avatar Alliance Foundation.
Recently I have been honored to lead Shark Team One to become a Microsoft AI for Earth grantee as well as a Disney Conservation Fund grantee and have been recognized as a global leader with an Indianapolis Prize nomination for global endangered wildlife conservation. I am also a Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) selected member and supported by The Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation.
As you go through the Shark Team One website you will learn about our mission, programs, goals, accomplishments and many of the research, educational and conservation outcomes we have achieved.
Many species of sharks will be extinct in just the next few decades and we need to do everything in our power to prevent this. I have a passionate desire to secure what is left of our valuable ocean resources and have a personal mission statement that corresponds to the goals of my organization.
Problems facing the world’s oceans are a global concern so in the coming years we are going to need scientists, conservationists and entrepreneurs who not only have specific areas of expertise but can act across different disciplines in ocean conservation. They will need to create concepts, build products and facilitate educated and caring global communities. I consider myself one of those people and am excited to be a mentor for up-and-coming ocean advocates everywhere.
Let's make a difference together! See you out in the field and Fins UP!
By training citizen scientists and conservationists through ambassadorship and educational expeditions as well as providing a means for scientists to conduct funded research in the field, I am working to bring awareness to dwindling worldwide endangered species populations. Traveling to destinations like Mexico, the Caribbean, Bahamas and the Arctic, I work with non-profit organizations, scientists, governments, policymakers and community stakeholders to help save endangered species and ocean ecosystems.
I am working to create protected areas and save marine species through Shark Team One programs that include field research, outreach, education and long-term conservation goals.
Boards and task forces I serve on are Vice-chair for NGOs at Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI), a National Action Plan by United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection's "Our Florida Reefs” program.
As an underwater photographer my work appears in gallery exhibits, publications and is used by conservation groups worldwide to highlight the need for ocean action. I'm honored to mention that in 2015 I was inducted into the prestigious Ocean Artists Society (OAS). As a documentary filmmaker my work has won awards at numerous national and international film festivals such as BLUE Ocean Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, Jackson Hole Science Media Awards and Jackson Hole WILD Living Oceans Film Showcase in partnership with CITES and United Nations Development Program.
Prior to my work in conservation I was a Hollywood film producer working with companies such as CBS, NBC, PBS, Universal Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Warner Brothers and Discovery. I have held Managing Director and Executive Producer positions at Propaganda Films in Los Angeles, New York Media Group and Metropolis Group – London/New York. My film, video, audio and multimedia producer credits include Academy Award winning films, Grammy award winning albums and Peabody Award winning broadcast programming.
Recognition and awards for my work in conservation include; “Community Leader – Ocean Environment Award” from National Week of the Ocean for “Creation of a South Florida presence via community events for awareness of dwindling worldwide shark populations", Blue Ambassador of the Year nomination and finalist for “Significant contributions in South Florida marine conservation", selected to attend PERC’s 2015 Enviropreneur Institute in Bozeman, MT (as a PERC Enviropreneur Fellow) and I am a supported researcher with the S.E.E. (Science, Exploration, Education) Initiative, supported by sponsors such as National Geographic, Sofar Ocean Technologies and Avatar Alliance Foundation.
Recently I have been honored to lead Shark Team One to become a Microsoft AI for Earth grantee as well as a Disney Conservation Fund grantee and have been recognized as a global leader with an Indianapolis Prize nomination for global endangered wildlife conservation. I am also a Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) selected member and supported by The Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation.
As you go through the Shark Team One website you will learn about our mission, programs, goals, accomplishments and many of the research, educational and conservation outcomes we have achieved.
Many species of sharks will be extinct in just the next few decades and we need to do everything in our power to prevent this. I have a passionate desire to secure what is left of our valuable ocean resources and have a personal mission statement that corresponds to the goals of my organization.
Problems facing the world’s oceans are a global concern so in the coming years we are going to need scientists, conservationists and entrepreneurs who not only have specific areas of expertise but can act across different disciplines in ocean conservation. They will need to create concepts, build products and facilitate educated and caring global communities. I consider myself one of those people and am excited to be a mentor for up-and-coming ocean advocates everywhere.
Let's make a difference together! See you out in the field and Fins UP!