Our team

Sama Wareh, M.S.

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Sama leads AWI with a philosophy that every encounter with nature holds a sense of wonder and story. A naturalist of over 20 years, she has led more than a thousand hikes and facilitated workshops for arboretums, nature centers, and museums across California and beyond. She holds a Master’s in Environmental Studies from CSU Fullerton, a Bachelor’s in Filmmaking, and a minor in Art. She is the author of "How to Draw 60 Native CA Plants and Animals" and "The Legend of Redwood Raven," has spoken at the United Nations, delivered a TEDx talk, and received the Top Southern California Educator Award from the AEOE.

Dr. Khadeeja Abdullah

Co-Founder & Program Director

Dr. Abdullah leads the vision and development of programs that connect communities to nature through meaningful, hands-on environmental education, with a focus on expanding equitable access to outdoor learning. She has taught at CSU campuses and consulted with UCLA’s Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program, NIOSH, Heal the Bay, and the South Coast AQMD. She holds a Doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering, a Master’s in Environmental Health, and a minor in Education — all from UCLA.

Syma Aslam

Co-Founder & Administrative Director

Often called the "backbone" of the organization, Syma holds a B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine. She brings organization, care, and thoughtful leadership to every experience — from carefully prepared lessons to the homemade bread she often shares with students. Her colleagues value her sincerity, strong sense of ethics, and steady presence as a guide and mentor.