Mark Murray (he/him)

Mark Murray has been a longtime member of the Gould Farm community since 2004, where he currently serves as a Residential Advisor and Recovery Coach. With a background in speech-language pathology and English, Mark brings not only academic training but a deep well of lived experience and heart-centered care to his work supporting guests on their recovery journeys.

Mark’s early career included work at summer camps and outdoor education programs for individuals with special needs, where he developed his gift for nurturing growth in community-based, nature-connected environments. These early roles—marked by cabin life, shared meals, and supporting others in their daily routines—mirrored the rhythms and relational richness he later found at Gould Farm. It’s a life that he describes as both demanding and deeply meaningful. He holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured staff member on the residential team, a role he attributes not to endurance alone, but to a deep resonance with the work itself.

As a certified Recovery Coach, Mark especially values supporting guests who are navigating sobriety, offering connection, encouragement, and the lived reminder that change is possible. His approach is gentle yet grounded, blending accountability with compassion.

Outside of his role at the Farm, Mark is a writer, musician, and artist. After a decade-long creative pause, he returned to writing in recent years and published Of Nod, a poetic memoir exploring his own journey through addiction and mental health challenges. He is a steady supporter of the Farm’s writing group, where his belief in expression as a form of healing continues to ripple outward. Mark’s creativity and personal insights bring a quiet depth and steady warmth to all he does.