Board of Directors - Candidates

2026 Board of Directors Elections

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

Voting will open on Monday, July 13 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 Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

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@srai.org.

The following candidates are running for positions on the Board of Directors:

Secretary

Jennifer Camp

Senior Associate Vice President for Research Administration
The University of Alabama

Jennifer Camp, MBA, CRA, serves as Senior Associate Vice President for Research Administration at the University of Alabama, where she provides executive leadership across sponsored programs, contract and grant accounting, and research systems. With more than two decades of experience in research administration, she has led large-scale system implementations, guided institutions through complex audits, and supported the growth of research enterprises in highly regulated environments.

Jennifer has been actively engaged with SRAI as an instructor, presenter, and contributor to professional development programs, with a strong commitment to mentoring and advancing the field.

She is seeking the role of Secretary as a natural next step in her service to SRAI and the broader research community. Jennifer believes SRAI’s future lies in strengthening global engagement, supporting compliance in an evolving regulatory landscape, expanding high-quality training, and continuing to modernize operations to meet the needs of a dynamic and growing profession

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Renee Vaughan

CRU Financial Practice Manager
Duke University School of Medicine

Renee J. Vaughan, MDiv, MA, CRA, is the Financial Practice Manager in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, OBGYN and Radiation Oncology Clinical Research Units at Duke University School of Medicine. Responsibilities include clinical trial financial feasibility assessments, budget development, contract negotiation, and financial management of complex clinical research portfolios.

An active member of SRAI for more than twenty-nine years; she has served as Distinguished Faculty, received the Excellence Award - Advanced Level and Hartford-Nicholsen Award. She’s Past President of the NC Chapter, and Past Ad Hoc Member (Communication Chair), SRAI Board of Directors. Currently an At-Large Member SRAI Board of Directors, Editorial Board member of The Journal of Research Administration, Podcast Committee, Certificate Subcommittee, Pre-Award Certificate Co-Leader, and Future of the Field committee. Renee facilitated community engaged research for federal, industry and philanthropic sponsors for Duke/City/County Strategic Framework to end homelessness. Renee champions innovation, enhanced collaboration and expanded communication .

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At-Large Board Member

Jason Claes

President & CEO - Founder
Clinical Research Analytics

My name is Jason Claes, founder and President & CEO of Clinical Research Analytics, Inc. I am a long standing SRAI leader with more than two decades of experience in clinical research operations, financial management, and institutional strategy. I’ve served SRAI as Distinguished Faculty, Midwest Section (President, Treasurer and Secretary), committee chair, mentor, and national presenter, with work spanning clinical trials, research finance, quality improvement, and technology driven innovation.

I am running for At-Large Board Member to help strengthen SRAI’s role as the profession’s thought leader—one that equips members to navigate rapid changes in compliance, technology, and workforce development. I believe SRAI’s future lies in expanding global collaboration, elevating research administration as a continued recognized profession, and accelerating the adoption of modern tools that improve accuracy, efficiency, and equity in research operations. I am committed to advancing SRAI’s mission and supporting the next generation of research administrators.

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Amy Cook

Senior Associate Vice President for Research
Texas Tech University

I serve as Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations at Texas Tech University and System Research Security Officer for the Texas Tech University System. Over the past 14 years, I have led across sponsored projects, research compliance, research security, research metrics, strategic intelligence, and research facilities. My work focuses on translating complex federal, state, and institutional requirements into practical processes that support faculty, staff, and institutional leadership. I have been active in SRAI as a presenter, workshop leader, Coffee Talk panelist, conference contributor, Future of the Field recipient, and co-chair of the 2026 SRAI Virtual Research Administration Conference. I am running for At-Large Board Member because I believe SRAI must help research administrators lead through change, not simply respond to it. I would bring a practical, collaborative, and member-focused voice to SRAI’s future, with a commitment to accessible, relevant professional development across career stages and varied institutional settings worldwide.

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Anthony Edmondson

Research Program Administrator
The University of Alabama in Huntsville

I seek to become your SRAI At-Large Member on the Board of Directors as your liaison, committed to our purpose under SRAI Bylaws - Article II: The education of research administration professionals and the improvement of communications amongst all stakeholders. I’ve attended several open sessions of the Annual Board of Directors Meetings to get a deeper understanding of SRAI operations.

I envision SRAI increasing engagement amongst members globally, with an emphasis on collaborative leadership, professional development and inclusive volunteer programs: The very things nurturing my commitment to SRAI. Currently, I am the SRAI Southern Section Immediate Past President and Ambassador at UAH. Prior SRAI service includes Section Secretary/Interim Treasurer and Chapter Treasurer. A career transition brought me to Research Administration in 2007 at The University of Texas. The Department of Defense and Accounting in the public and private sectors prepared me for our profession. My membership with SRAI began in 2011.

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Rashonda Harris

Founder & CEO
Purple Sheep Consulting

Dr. Rashonda Harris, MBA, CRA, is Founder and Principal Consultant of Purple Sheep Consulting™ and creator of Purple Sheep CPE™, a professional education platform focused on strengthening research administration workforce capability. With more than 27 years of experience, she has led post-award, compliance, and research administration functions at major research institutions and has overseen portfolios exceeding $1 billion in sponsored research expenditures.

Dr. Harris serves as faculty at Johns Hopkins University and is an active contributor to SRAI through committee service, educational programming, certification support activities, and scholarship initiatives.

She is seeking election as an At-Large Board Member to help strengthen professional development, workforce sustainability, and engagement across the research administration community. She believes the future of SRAI lies in supporting research administrators through innovative education, meaningful connections, and the continued advancement of the profession .

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Mark Lucas

Chief Administrative Officer
University of California, Los Angeles

I am pleased to submit my nomination for an At-Large Board Member position. For SRAI, I have volunteered in various roles, previously serving as Chapter and Western Section President, and currently as a Distinguished Faculty. I have developed courses and provided multiple talks at SRAI meetings. I am most proud of serving on the committee that developed the SRAI Professional Development Framework.

Where I see SRAI contributing is in helping to guide members through a challenging and historic period of change. l believe we need a vision for what research administration may look like in 2030 and to lead the way. The challenges of funding reductions, frequently-changing policies, evolution of AI, and the ability to remain engaged are among the most pressing challenges. We need to address these collectively as a Society. I would hope that my contributions can help move our field and colleagues forward in these challenging times.

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Karen Mitchell

Director of Special Projects
Temple University

I would be an effective At-Large Board Member for SRAI because I bring a strong combination of operational expertise, strategic leadership, and long-standing commitment to the Society and the research administration profession. My experience spans the full research administration lifecycle across multiple institution types. At the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, I led pre-proposal services and faculty training initiatives. At Temple University, I have overseen activities ranging from proposal submission through award closeout while supporting complex institutional initiatives and large-scale proposals.

In addition to my institutional experience, I have actively served SRAI through leadership and educational roles, including Chair of the Engagement and Connection Committee, member of the Governance Committee, and faculty for the “Basics of Research Administration” program. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of SRAI’s mission, governance, and evolving member needs. I am committed to advancing collaboration, professional development, and member engagement across the Society.

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Teri Pailen

Consultant
Retired, National Institutes of Health

Teri Pailen possesses extensive experience in the Grants Management Profession, with over three decades of expertise in the field. Currently, she serves as the Past President of the Northeast Section of the Society of Research Administration International (SRAI). Prior to her current role, Teri Pailen held the positions of President Elect, President, and Treasurer for both the Northeast Section and the Chesapeake Chapters of SRAI.

Teri Pailen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland University College. She is passionate about the Society’s programs and has served on various committees such as the Newcomer’s Committees, Track Chair, and the Future of the Field Committee.

Teri is running for an At-Large Board Member because she has a strong commitment to the mission and values of SRAI. Serving as Board Member will allow her to continue to contribute to the success of the organization.

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Kimberly Read

Assistant Chair of Operations
University of South Florida

I am excited to run for an At-Large position on the SRAI Board of Directors. I made my decision because I am grateful to SRAI and because of my deep belief in the future of our profession. SRAI has been important in shaping me as a research administrator. Also, I see Board service as an opportunity to give back to this community. 

SRAI has been a cornerstone of my professional development, and I would like to pay that forward. Through my SRAI involvement and service to date, I have gained practical knowledge and professional confidence.

I envision SRAI continuing to strengthen its role as a global learning organization that offers high quality programming. I believe that SRAI will flourish as it intentionally cultivates member voices and shared expertise. I am committed to advancing SRAI’s educational mission and supporting the evolving needs of research administrators.

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