Board of Directors - Candidates

2024 Board of Directors Elections

Shape the future of our profession by casting your vote for the Board of Directors.

Voting will open on Wednesday, July 31 for all full members of SRAI for the positions of Secretary and two (2) At-Large Board Members for the Board of Directors.

Voting will run through 11:59 PM PT on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Election ballots are sent via email to Members of SRAI. Please check your email inbox for the Board of Directors election ballot. If you are a Member of SRAI and did not receive a ballot, please contact elections@srainternational.org.

Secretary

jclaes_f.jpg Jason Claes
Manager Clinical Trials
TriHealth, Inc.

View Bio

I have over 22 years of experience in research administration ranging from Pre to Post and everything in-between and has been active in SRAI since 2009. Currently serving as a second-year mentor to the Odyssey Program to two mentees, while serving on the Development and Finance Committee for the International Board. Previously served in various capacities such as Chair of the International Bylaws Committee, President, Secretary and Treasurer in the Midwest Section as well as on the Chapter level for Ohio. Last year, I was reappointed for a three-year term as an SRAI Distinguished Faculty member providing mentorship, educational opportunities, authoring and speaking engagements to not only the SRAI research community but to other various research institutions on several topics such as clinical trial management, research leadership, process improvement and behavioral change management in a research administrative setting.

Read the candidate's article

bsteinert_f.jpg Marcos Garza
Assistant Vice President of Research Operations
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

View Bio

Research Administration is the only profession I have ever had since I graduated college 18 years ago. I started as a grant coordinator at the University of New Mexico, and nine years in the University of Maryland system. I then moved to the Huron Consulting Group where I spent 6 years learning how to transform research administration. In the last three years I have been overseeing the financial and research operations of University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. I want to continue to be the Secretary of SRAI because of my passion for the organization. Over the last decade I found my professional development home at SRAI, and the people and things I have learned from my SRAI colleagues has enriched me professionally and personally. The future of SRAI is to be the leading organization in the development and professionalization of research administration in the US and globally. 

Read the candidate's article.

mgarza_f.jpg Tonya Edvalson
Policy and Projects Analyst
University of California, Los Angeles

View Bio

Tonya Edvalson has been an active member of SRAI for 15 years. She is honored to be part of the Distinguished Faculty since 2017 and received the prestigious Hartford-Nicholsen Award (2018). She has served as Co-Chair of the 2022 Annual Meeting, Membership Chair/Co-Chair, President of the Western Section, and Ad Hoc Board Member. She's presented over 40 times since 2010. 

She is joining the Office of Human Research Protections Program at UCLA in August 2024. Prior to that she worked at the University of Utah and Intermountain Healthcare. She has over 25 years of research administration experience in clinical trial management, clinical trials management systems, research operations, human subjects protection, and compliance. She received her Masters of Healthcare Administration from the University of Utah.

She would be honored to work directly with the Board of Directors as the next Secretary, supporting actions and activities that focus on our colleagues’ advancement in Research Administration across the world. 

Read the candidate's article.

mgarza_f.jpg Artisha Wright
Supervisory Other Transactions Specialist
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

View Bio

I have been involved in research administration over 20 years through my workforce experience at the National Institutes of Health, working with various research teams managing their grants and Other Transactions awards. I am a Supervisory Other Transactions Specialist at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

I have been a member of SRAI since 2016, with active involvement beginning various roles such as serving as room monitor during section and annual meetings, planning committee member, and being an active presenter during online webinars and in-person section and annual meetings.

Representation of the younger research administrators in leadership positions is scarce within SRAI. As Secretary, I will use my voice to convey insight and understanding of what speaks to the future research administration professionals while advocating for more involvement in SRAI to gain a seat at the table!

Read the candidate's article.

At-Large Board Member

Jason Claes Judy Bristow
Vice President
Grants and Compliance
Louisville Healthcare CEO Council

View Bio

I have been involved in research administration at many different levels over the past 30 years, ranging from departmental administration to central administration, working my way up from Grants Management Specialist to Senor Director within higher education, to my current position of Vice President of Grants and Compliance at a private non-profit company. I can say unequivocally and without hesitation that I would never have been able to make these career advancements had it not been for my involvement with SRAI where I not only learned the profession but developed an invaluable network of colleagues across the world. Serving on the Board of Directors will provide me with the opportunity to pay it forward, as my mentors did, while allowing me to be part of shaping the Society for current and future research administrators as the profession continues to grow and evolve. 

Read the candidate's article.

Tonya Edvalson Pamela Montgomery
Assistant Director, Finance and Administration
John Hope Franklin Institute
Duke University

View Bio

Pamela Montgomery is an Assistant Director of Finance and Administration at Duke University, overseeing business and grant administrative processes. She has also worked as an Adjunct Instructor. With over 20 years of experience in instructorship, research administration, financial management, human resources, and compliance, Pamela brings extensive expertise to her roles.

Pamela holds a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from USC – Coastal Carolina University. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate, pursuing a Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change.

Pamela leads research workshops across the state and internationally. She holds various research certifications, serves on the Administrative Women's Network executive board, and has been a United Way Ambassador.

An active member of the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) since 1999, Pamela has served as the Southern Section President, served on the SRAI Award Subcommittee, and is also a past President of the North Carolina Chapter. She received the North Carolina Chapter President’s Award in 2014 and 2018. Pamela is known for her support of new members and her organizational and leadership skills.

Pamela is running for the At-Large Board Members position to leverage her extensive experience and leadership skills to contribute to the continued growth and success of SRAI. She envisions a future where SRAI continues to expand its reach, continue to enhance its professional development programs, and foster a more inclusive and supportive community for all members. With her knowledge, experience, abilities, and leadership skills, Pamela is committed to helping SRAI achieve these goals and ensuring its members are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of research administration.

Read the candidate's article.

Gina Hedberg Maria Soliman
Director
University of Iowa

View Bio

My decision to run for the SRAI Board of Directors stems from gratitude and a commitment to advancing research administration. It is also my way of giving back to an organization that has played a pivotal role throughout my career. SRAI has been a guiding compass throughout my three-decade career, providing knowledge and keeping me informed about evolving trends.

Looking ahead, I see both challenges and opportunities. Research security, financial compliance, and reporting demand our attention. Federal audits loom, and we must navigate these waters collectively. Virtual learning has become integral. SRAI’s embrace of virtual trainings and conferences widens our reach, connecting us across borders. Let’s harness this momentum, leveraging technology to disseminate knowledge, and strengthen our community.

I am ready to serve on the SRAI Board, embracing change and steering research administration towards a future where innovation, collaboration, and excellence thrive.

Read the candidate's article

Farida LadaKevin Titus
Senior Business Director
Cincinnati Children's Hospital

View Bio

I believe my varied experience and service to SRAI as Section leader (Treasurer and President), service on too many committees and working groups to count, and prior service on the Board, have positioned me well to represent the varied interests of SRAI members. SRAI is a volunteer-led organization with members serving each other. That needs to continue, while still leading and evolving within an ever-changing environment. Whether it’s the changes to Uniform Guidance or artificial intelligence, SRAI needs to lead and educate members in a transparent way.

As the Senior Business Director at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, I oversee a variety of research grants and clinical trials from a diverse group of funding agencies, including the NIH, DoD, FDA, PCORI, the State of Ohio, numerous foundations and a large variety of drug companies. In addition, I have the perspective and leadership from serving on the boards for five different non-profits. 

Read the candidate's article

Karen Mitchell Jennifer Woodward
Vice Chancellor for Sponsored Programs and Research Operations
Professor of Surgery and Immunology 
University of Pittsburgh 

View Bio

Jennifer Woodward brings over 25 years of progressive leadership in research administration to her re-election for the SRAI Board of Directors. Currently Vice Chancellor for Sponsored Programs and Research Operations at the University of Pittsburgh, Jennifer provides strategic direction for research operations and the Office of Sponsored Programs. Her dual appointment as Professor of Surgery and Immunology enriches her perspectives and contributions on the Board.

Jennifer participates in SRAI's mission through key initiatives, co-chairing the Education and Professional Development Committee, and contributing to the Strategic Plan, PI Intensive, and Career Framework Task Force. She leads an NSF GRANTED Conference Award aimed at establishing a national job classification system for research administrators, collaborating closely with SRAI.

Jennifer's SRAI vision centers on inclusivity, innovation, and continuous learning. She is committed to expanding educational offerings, advocating for the professional development of research administrators worldwide, and responding to the evolving needs of SRAI members.

Read the candidate's article