Temperly leverages deep expertise to serve research institutions nationwide
Shacey Temperly is one of the key leaders within the Attain Research practice of Attain Partners. Under the leadership of Managing Partner Mark Davis, Attain Research unites the firm’s core research enterprise services to enhance market focus, elevate delivery excellence, and address diverse client needs. The practice provides enterprise-wide strategy and technology transformation expertise at scale.
“Shacey not only has the heart for supporting research institutions, she has the expertise and industry experience. Her leadership on our ERP projects and in our partnership with Cayuse has benefitted many premier colleges and universities across the country. We are lucky to have her as part of the Attain Research leadership team.”
Mark Davis
Managing Partner and Attain Research Lead, Attain Partners
Get to know Shacey better by reading our interview with her below.
Attain Partners (AP): How did you become passionate about research administration?
Shacey Temperly (ST): Very few people say, “I want to be a research administrator when I grow up.” You typically fall into it through that job description that includes, “other duties as assigned,” which is what happened to me when I was at UC Davis. But once you get your feet wet, you become hooked.
AP: How do you leverage your role with Attain Partners to create an impact?
ST: I look at my role as an opportunity both internally and externally. Externally, I am able to serve my clients and help them navigate the complexities that come with research administration. Collaboratively, we analyze the intersection of people, process, and technology to develop strategies that enable our clients to deploy best practices, ensure compliance, and operate efficiently.
Internally, I see my role as helping shape the next generation at Attain Partners—mentoring them into trusted advisors for our clients and instilling the importance of The Attain Way to ensure the Attain Partners brand is truly built to last.
ST: The core value that speaks to me the most is Invent the Future. Life is a continuous cycle of change, and with change comes the need for innovation to overcome the challenges it presents. By giving our team the space and freedom to leverage their expertise, we help Invent the Future with groundbreaking solutions that guide our clients through transformation.
AP: What do you like most about the work you do?
ST: The challenge of deciphering complex accounting, the intellectual curiosity of researching cost principles, the satisfaction of navigating the maze of government regulations, and the opportunity to guide researchers—all these elements combined create a truly engaging profession. I personally will never cure a rare disease, or bring resources to underserved populations, or unlock the secrets of the universe, but I will support those who do—and that is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, being able to mentor a team of equally passionate individuals empowering them to help institutions achieve operational excellence and execute strategic transformation. I learn from my team members as much as they learn from me. We combine our diverse experiences and perspectives to deliver even greater value to our clients.
Pictured: Alexander Nichols, Kathleen Halley-Octa, Shacey Temperly, Greg Baroni
AP: What are the biggest ways you’ve seen research administration initiatives impact organizations?
ST: Because service is at the heart of everything we do, we see the impact of our work directly. We help clients achieve operational excellence through various means such as interim staffing to address short-term staffing gaps to tactical projects like clearing backlogs of post-award closeouts. We also guide them through larger strategic transformations such as implementing a new eRA system, like Cayuse, to streamline their pre-award processes or ERP implementation to achieve similar efficiencies on the post-award side. We’ve been able to remove unnecessary steps in business processes to reduce processing time and handoffs. We’ve also worked with clients on organizational restructuring to better align roles and responsibilities within the research enterprise.
The return business we receive, often for assistance in new areas, underscores the value our clients place on our expertise. Our long-term relationships with a substantial portion of our client base further demonstrate their trust in our guidance and their desire to collaborate with us as they continue to grow.
Pictured: Shacey Temperly, Ivonne Kalinski
AP: How do you stay current on the latest trends and developments in research administration?
ST: My deepest well of research administration knowledge comes from Attain Partners’ network of subject matter experts. I regularly consult with my colleagues, seeking their insights on the latest industry developments or a fresh perspective on a complex challenge. The ongoing growth of Attain Partners is especially valuable because it continually expands our collective knowledge base and broadens the range of challenges we are exposed to. I benefit greatly from the insights of my colleagues, who bring experience from small institutions, private universities, large public systems—each with unique perspectives and challenges. The ability to leverage this diverse range of viewpoints is a key factor in our team’s strength and effectiveness.
AP: What do you enjoy outside of work?
ST: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. My children are constantly changing, and I enjoy watching them grow and evolve during each season of their lives. I appreciate being able to learn more about myself through them and help them navigate their individual challenges. My husband and I are a true partnership, supporting each other in all things. As a family, we enjoy everything from weekly game night to exploring new cultures through travel. As a self-identified foodie, I also love decompressing with friends over a good meal and glass of wine.
Learn more – Shacey Temperly
Shacey Temperly is a Principal in the Attain Research practice with more than 20 years of experience in research administration. She serves clients across all phases and functional areas of the research lifecycle. Her expertise draws from her deep involvement with business process reviews, organizational redesign, and strategic planning. She specializes in procedural, system, and control analyses to assist clients with creating operational and financial efficiencies.
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