ARAC Leadership Update & Transition Announcement

Dear colleagues and partners, 

I am writing to share an important transition within ARAC. After thoughtful consideration, Allison Shumate (“Allie”) has made the personal decision to step away from her role as Chief Marketing Officer to focus on her young family during this season of their lives. ARAC has undergone exponential growth in the past 12 months, bringing increased work demands and significant global partnerships, making “work-life balance” an unrealistic goal most days. I know how difficult a decision this was for Allie, and I admire her for following her gut and heart to reprioritize her time – time that none of us will ever get back. In the words of Marissa Mayer, Former President and CEO of Yahoo, “You can’t have everything you want, but you can have the things that really matter to you.” 

Allison has been by my side as a best friend and colleague for 3 years. She has played a monumental, everlasting role in shaping ARAC’s brand, strengthening our operational infrastructure, elevating our visibility at key scientific and regulatory forums, and building a communications framework that reflects the rigor and mission of our work. Her leadership and dedication have left a lasting imprint on ARAC’s growth.  

“It has been an honor to support ARAC’s mission and work alongside such talented colleagues and industry partners. I am incredibly proud of what we built and grateful for the trust, collaboration, and partnerships formed along the way. I remain a strong supporter of the team and mission as they continue moving forward.” - Allison Shumate, CMO 

Over the past several weeks, she has assisted with a smooth transition to ensure all workflows, materials, and responsibilities transfer seamlessly. While we will greatly miss her day-to-day presence and her “light up the room” smile, she leaves an incredible legacy of structure, branding, and operational excellence that will continue to serve ARAC for years to come. 

Transition Plan & Continuity of Operations 

ARAC remains strongly positioned with an exceptional team, and we want to reassure our partners that all marketing, communications, and operations functions will continue without interruption. 

To support this transition, we have implemented clear role realignments reflective of the strengths across our team and the structure Allison helped establish. These updates go into effect immediately: 

Operations & Events 

Kim will lead operations and event management, overseeing conference planning, sponsorships, publications, client onboarding materials, and industry engagement activities. She will manage internal systems, budgeting oversight, and HR/administrative workflows to ensure organizational continuity. 

Marketing & Communications Leadership 

Riley will oversee all external marketing and communication efforts, including ARAC’s digital presence, social media, blog and newsletter content, branding, website updates, and marketing analytics. She will ensure consistent messaging and alignment with ARAC’s scientific and business priorities, while partnering with Kim on events and project coordination. 

Logistics Coordinator 

Shantel will support marketing logistics, branded materials, vendor management, SWAG inventory, and event coordination needs. She will also assist with documentation, organizing shared resources, and cross-team support to streamline internal operations. 

Transition Plan & Continuity of Operations 

While transitions are never easy, ARAC remains strong, focused, and aligned. Our strengthened team structure reflects our commitment to excellence, responsiveness, and strategic growth. The team’s talent, dedication, and alignment will continue to drive ARAC’s mission forward. 

Please join me in thanking Allison for her tremendous impact and congratulating Kim, Riley, and Shantel on their expanded roles. We are confident this realignment positions ARAC strongly for continued success. 

If you have any questions or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Warm regards, Jessica