The NORDP Rising Star Award recognizes individuals for their outstanding, early volunteer contributions to NORDP and strong potential for future contributions to the organization and the profession or the field.

Who: Katie Pelland

Role: Senior Research Program Officer, University of Virginia Brain Institute

Number of years in research development: 6

Length of NORDP membership: 6 years

What initiative are you the most proud of in your role as a NORDP volunteer?

One initiative I’m particularly proud of in my role as a NORDP volunteer is the streamlining of the board application process. Through the years there have been various iterations of the Board application process and the expectations of Board candidates. One thing we did while I was the co-chair of the Nominating Committee was to examine the application process and what barriers it might pose to members running for the Board. And that resulted in us streamlining the application process to focus on what truly matters for running for the NORDP Board: why candidates want to be on the board and how they are qualified to serve. We really want to have a Board that represents the diversity of the NORDP membership and since instituting these changes we’ve seen an increase in Board candidates and NORDP members at a variety of career stages running for the Board.

Another initiative I’m proud of is creating a transparent and straightforward path to committee membership for two of the committees on which I’ve served: the Nominating Committee and Conference Committee. This process involved putting out an open call to NORDP members to gauge interest and launching a simple form for interested members to complete in order to join the committee. I think there are sometimes barriers to NORDP service, and our goal was to let NORDP members know that it’s very easy to join a committee and get involved. These efforts have strengthened both committees and brought in NORDP members who want to give back to the organization but might not have known where to start. I would love to see this process expanded to include all NORDP committees to make it easier for our members to volunteer!

How did you hear about NORDP and what made you join initially?

I first heard about NORDP while I was finishing up graduate school and working as an intern in UVA’s central research development office. My supervisor, Becca Latimer, was very active in NORDP and introduced me to the organization immediately after I started and encouraged me to join. Given her enthusiasm and the value of the community, knowledge-sharing, and resources, joining NORDP felt like a no-brainer. 

What relationships have you built as a result of NORDP?

It’s a long list that ranges from fantastic one-off conversations at virtual meetings and in-person conferences to honestly some of my closest friendships. One of the things I think is so valuable about NORDP relationships is the shared understanding of our work in research development. Even though our jobs may differ, there’s a mutual comprehension and respect for what we do, which can be harder to find with colleagues outside of our field. There’s also a “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality within the NORDP community and everyone is so generous in sharing their knowledge so we can all improve.

Additionally, the mentors I’ve gained through both formal and informal channels have been invaluable. As I’ve navigated career changes, these mentors have helped me brainstorm ideas, and have hard conversations that have helped me figure out where I want to go and what I want to do. All of these relationships have given me a stronger sense of all the things that a career in RD can be.

What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of NORDP? 

I’m very excited about the rapid growth NORDP, and the field of research development (RD), has been experiencing. NORDP is playing a major role in shaping how RD is evolving and expanding. I’m particularly excited about the effort to professionalize the RD profession, with the introduction of a new journal, NSF GRANTED, and NORDP’s certification or credentialing task force. These efforts are helping to establish RD as a recognized and respected career path.

Additionally, NORDP is putting more intention into skill transfer through workshops and other educational opportunities, which helps both new and experienced RD professionals broaden their skill sets. This is really important for the continued growth and development of the field, particularly for those of us who are in the earlier stages of their careers and are thinking about what our trajectory will be long-term. It’s also exciting to see representation of RD professionals in higher-level positions, such as AVPRs, which is changing the institutional landscape. This trend is likely to continue, allowing RD professionals to move up and expand their influence.

What recommendations do you have for members to get more involved with NORDP?

I have so many! My first recommendation for members looking to get more involved in NORDP is to start by joining a committee that interests you. Read up about the different committees and choose one that aligns with your passions. Then, email the co-chairs to express your interest. Most committees are always welcoming new members, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Another great way to get involved is through the mentoring program, either as a mentee or a mentor. As a mentor for the first time this year, I’ve found it incredibly rewarding. Despite some initial imposter syndrome, my conversations with my mentee, who is new to RD, have been really insightful and beneficial for both of us.

I also know that many regions have regular Zoom or even occasionally in-person get-togethers, and attending these can help you connect with others and stay informed about what’s happening in your neck of the woods. The annual meeting is also a fantastic opportunity to get involved, and with the 2025 meeting being virtual, it will be more accessible.

Lastly, participate in the elections by attending the board candidate forum and voting for members of the Board. It’s important to have a say in who leads our organization!

What does your future in NORDP look like?

In the immediate future, I’m transitioning into the role of immediate past chair of the Nominating Committee before rolling off. I’ll miss serving on NomCom – it has been a wonderful opportunity to learn about NORDP and the Board without overextending myself, which I have really appreciated. I’m also excited to be serving as one of the Conference co-chairs this year!

Longer term, there’s so much I’m interested in doing. I’ve started to get involved with the Communications Working Group and I’d like to get more involved in NORDP’s Committee on Inclusive Excellence, whose work is increasingly important. I also plan to stay active in the Atlantic region, where there’s been a real push by our current regional leaders to make the region more active. I could see myself someday aspiring to a leadership role within the region and helping foster the same level of engagement we see in other regions like the Northeast and Great Lakes.