Friday, August 18, marks the end of my tenure as Executive Director of PRIM&R. What a wonderful, challenging, fulfilling journey it has been!  

I am so proud of what this organization has accomplished over these last nine years. We have modernized and made more accessible our educational and professional development programs; supported and served our community through a global pandemic; grown our public policy voice and activities; and worked to integrate our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice into everything we do.   

With the launch of the PRIM&R Annual Conference and the approval of a new strategic plan at the end of last year, we have built on these strong foundations to set a new course for PRIM&R going forward, one that involves positioning the organization as a home, convener, and thought leader for a broad range of stakeholders in ethical research; centering the importance of trust and trustworthiness to a successful research enterprise; continuing to grow our public policy efforts; and developing and leveraging partnerships to enhance our impact.  

I leave so very confident in the state of the organization, and so excited about its future, thanks to the talented and capable staff and the wise stewardship of the Board of Directors and the strength and dedication of PRIM&R’s membership community. PRIM&R’s next Executive Director will be joining a stable, flexible, and financially healthy organization that is well positioned to expand its reach and impact. 

That leader has not yet been named, though the Board and Search Committee are well along in the search process. Therefore, as of August 19, 2023, PRIM&R’s terrific Managing Director,  Beverly Andrade, will serve as Acting Executive Director until a new permanent leader is named by the Board of Directors. 

I have said it many times, but what has made leading PRIM&R such a rewarding professional and personal experience for me has always been the people—the opportunity to serve and work with this incomparable community of individuals who dedicate their professional lives to promoting ethical, just, and high-quality research. The generosity and camaraderie of the community continue to astound me. And more personally, the expressions of support I have received over the last six months since I announced my decision to step down have meant so much. 

PRIM&R, its mission, and its people will always have a very special place in my heart.