Captain Leiza Fitzgerald is a first-generation Floridian and trailblazer in the fishing industry. She is known as the “Queen of Conservation” in many circles because of her dedication to advocating for clean fisheries and protecting marine habitats. She has served as Florida STAR Director for the Coastal Conservation Association for over three decades, to educate the public on the importance of protecting Florida’s marine resources. Leiza also has many philanthropic endeavors through fishing teams and tournaments that benefit cancer charities.  Some of her many accolades includes numerous top 10 fishing titles across various tournaments, “Top Angler for Redfish, Snook” and Sheepshead by International Women’s Fishing Association,  “The Top 12 Lady Anglers in Florida” by Salt Strong, “Sportsman of the Year” by The Sarasota Sportsman’s Association, “The 30 Most Influential Female Anglers in North America” by Wildlife Enthusiast magazine, the first angler to be inducted to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2022, and first recipient of the Pamela Martin-Wells “Outdoor Woman of the Year”.

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Dr. Betsey Hermanson Boughton is originally from Michigan and now resides in Sebring, FL. She graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Central Michigan University and earned her PhD from the University of Central Florida in Conservation Biology. Her roots run deep at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch (BIR). She first started as an intern and she now serves as the Director of Science. Her research at BIR is focused on the quantification of multiple ecosystem services provided by working ranches, understanding how ranch management practices affect multiple ecosystem services and disservices, and the drivers and threats to ecosystem services, such as invasive species and climate change. Dr. Boughton serves as an integral part of the scientific community, helping to bridge the gap between science, conversation, and ranching.

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