President's Letter

Hi!

If you’re anything like me, new year = new planner = new goals (or maybe the same ones from last year). If expanding your network or building on your skills is on your list, here are some “hidden features” of your CARA membership that may get you closer in 2026:

1) Warm introductions on demand
Picture this: the CPO asks you to rate a millionaire, but her assets are hard to attribute to her. Oh, did I tell you it’s for a lunch meeting today? Never fear – you don’t have to solve it alone or reinvent the steps. If you get to know a few members, you have a hotline to researchers who’ve seen this before. A 10-minute conversation can save hours of research and second-guessing.

2) Skill compounding
Webinars and events are useful, but the real shift happens when you bring it into your routine. Ask one question. Share one tactic on LinkedIn. Join one conversation. That turns “information” into “muscle memory” and accelerates your growth.

4) Career momentum that feels steady
When you are connected, you stop feeling like you are paddling alone. You hear what’s working at other organizations, what roles are opening up, and what’s becoming the new standard. You become more confident, more current, and more mobile, even if you are not actively job-hunting.

5) A lighter mental load
This is the lifestyle upgrade: less isolation, less wheel-spinning, fewer late-night “is this the right call?” moments. More clarity, faster decisions, and a sense that you are supported by a professional community that understands you and your work.

If you’re a one-person department, you move from being alone in your orbit to having a network you can tap into, learn from, and contribute to.

To kick off 2026, choose one small step this month:

• Reach out to one member and introduce yourself
• Register for one upcoming webinar or event and show up with one question
• Be a regional advocate and host an event in your area
• If you are mid-project, ask for a peer perspective instead of pushing through alone

If you think of something you’d like covered in a future newsletter or webinar, write us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear your ideas.

You’re already making a difference at your organization through your work. Amplify it with the community you have with CARA.

With appreciation for all you do,
Cynthia Mikimoto

2026 CARA President