Field Inclusive, Inc.

LEADERSHIP

Shows a person identified as Murry Burgess, Ph.D., who holds the position of Founder & CEO. Murry is wearing a denim jacket over a black shirt with the words “Field Inclusive” in the upper right corner. Murry has long, dark hair draped over both shoulders. Around the neck, there is a strap that is connected to a pair of binoculars, which are visible in the lower part of the image. The binocular strap has a colorful geometric pattern featuring triangles and other shapes.

Murry Burgess

Founder and CEO

Murry (she/her) grew up in the suburbs of MN, FL, TN, and MS with an interest in the wildlife around her. She followed this interested into a B.S. degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. She also earned my Associate Wildlife Biologist® certification from The Wildlife Society. She went on to grad school at North Carolina State University to pursue a Ph.D. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. After completing her dissertation, she became a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University. As an urban ecologist and ornithologist, Murry researches the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on songbird metabolic health and physical development. She is also a children’s author and public scientist. As a DEI activist, she was driven to start Field Inclusive based on her own experiences living in predominantly white areas of the Deep South and determination to make the road easier for future wildlife professionals.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, birding, photography, video games, and snuggling with her dog, Loki. Website

Shows a person identified as Lauren D. Pharr, M.S., who holds the title of Founder & CFO. Lauren is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a long-sleeved jacket over a light-colored top. The jacket is slightly open, revealing the top underneath. Lauren is holding the edges of the jacket with both hands. The background is plain and dark, emphasizing the subject in the foreground.

Lauren D. Pharr

Founder and CFO

Lauren (she/her) is an avian behavioral ecologist whose research focuses on bird behavior and its applications to conservation. She earned her B.S. degree in Environmental Biology from Wingate University in 2019 and her M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from NCSU (2021, 2025). Aside from her research, Lauren is an engaged and award-winning science communicator with written and contributed pieces haven appeared in a variety of outlets including National Geographic and WIRED and has served as a member on the Editorial Advisory Board for The Wildlife Society, contributing editor for North Carolina Sea Grant’s award-winning magazine Coastwatch, and editor and a contributing author for Inclusive Nature: Science, Equity, and the Outdoors. Both her research and advocacy work led to her being awarded many accolades, including the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s 2023 Governors Conservation Achievement Award for Young Conservationist of the Year, the highest honor in the state of NC in the wildlife space. She currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. Website

Kayla Stukes is standing outside with a pair of binoculars around her neck and another pair on a stand

Kayla Stukes

Board Member

Kayla (she/her) is a PhD student at NC State,  specializing in forestry and environmental resources with a focus on environmental justice and equitable access to land and natural resources. Her research highlights African American and Indigenous land ownership, cultural heritage, and the intersection of conservation and social equity. Kayla has been actively involved with Field Inclusive since October 2022. Passionate about fostering inclusive and safe field practices, she brings expertise in supporting historically excluded and marginalized communities in environmental sciences. She is dedicated to creating actionable improvements in field safety, accessibility, and equity, making her a strong advocate for Field Inclusive’s mission.”

COMMITTEES & CONTRIBUTORS

Workshop Committee

Molly Philips, Angie Larsen-Gray, Kayla Stukes, Murry Burgess, Lauren Pharr

Awards Committee

Lee Gath, Hannah Glen, Nikki Krebs, Mia Murry, Arefine Karim, Kayla Stukes

Outreach Coordinator (Raleigh)

R Babb

VOLUNTEERS

We are supported by a growing network of volunteers who contribute to Field Inclusive through programs, events, and community initiatives.