Meet Jillian Morris

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jillian Morris. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jillian below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jillian with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I grew up with parents who balanced a lot, and I saw them working hard. My mom was home with me until I was 7, but she was also doing a side crafting business. I saw her painting things in the basement in the early morning or evening. My dad started his own business when I was 11, so I saw him build that from scratch. They showed me how to show up and build something.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As Bimini Shark Girl, I share the beauty, science, and importance of sharks with the world through storytelling, education, and ocean adventures. I’m a marine biologist, underwater photographer, and founder of the nonprofit Sharks4Kids, and my mission is to change the way people think about sharks — from fear to fascination. I want to show that sharks are not the villains they’re often portrayed to be, but rather vital, awe-inspiring creatures that keep our oceans healthy.

What’s most exciting about what I do is connecting people, especially kids, to sharks and the ocean — whether that’s through a school visit, a dive, or a short video that sparks curiosity. Every time someone says, “I used to be scared of sharks, but now I think they’re amazing,” I know I’m making a difference.

A big part of my journey now is raising my daughter to love and care for the ocean, too. She’s growing up surrounded by marine life, adventure, and conservation — and seeing the world through her eyes reminds me why this work matters so much.

Currently, I’m expanding my Bimini Shark Girl brand to include ocean-inspired digital products, merchandise and educational tools for families, helping parents raise children who love and protect nature. I’m also working on Project Lemon Aid with Sharks4Kids — bringing hands-on shark education to kids in the Turks and Caicos Islands — and developing new online resources that make learning about sharks fun, accessible, and empowering, no matter where you live.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are curiosity, persistence, and adaptability. Curiosity drove me to explore the ocean, ask questions, and never stop learning about sharks and marine ecosystems. Persistence helped me push through challenges — whether it was difficult fieldwork, being a woman in a male-dominated field, funding hurdles, or changing public perceptions about sharks. And adaptability allowed me to pivot when opportunities or challenges arose, whether that meant developing virtual shark education programs or creating new ways to engage kids with the ocean.
For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to constantly embrace learning — read, observe, and seek out mentors. Stick with your goals even when it gets tough; progress often comes in small steps rather than giant leaps. And be open to new experiences and ways of doing things — sometimes the path you never imagined leads to the most exciting opportunities. Curiosity, persistence, and adaptability aren’t just skills — they’re habits you can cultivate over time, and they’ll serve you in any field, not just marine conservation.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Funding a nonprofit that focuses on education is science is extremely challenging right now. The world is facing numerous challenges, and many people are in need. The planet is in need.

I keep moving forward because I believe in our mission and I know we are making an impact. We are inspiring the next generation of ocean and shark advocates who will do better than our generation has done. I see kids making an impact and this gives me hope and inspires me to keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Deano Cook, Duncan Brake, Leann Winn, Ko Chuan Yang

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