BVC Research Facilitator Kakali Majumdar Leads National Coaching Series

Collaboration sits at the center of today’s research environment, and the skills that support it matter more than ever.

At Bow Valley College, this work is reflected in the contributions of Research Facilitator Kakali Majumdar, who recently delivered a national four-part series for the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA).

Grounded in her leadership coaching certification and 16 years of applied research experience, the series grew out of Kakali’s professional development journey with Essential Impact, supported through the college’s learning pathways. As she progressed through her training, she saw an opportunity to bring coaching‑based approaches to the broader research community, recognizing that research administration is increasingly shaped by collaboration, relationships, and shared leadership.

Her sessions explored how a coaching mindset, trust, safety, active listening and presence can strengthen communication and support researchers in complex, multi-stakeholder settings.

As Kakali noted, “Research is becoming more collaborative, and most of us don’t have a formal title. We work with finance, faculties, partners, funders and more, so these coaching skills help us be effective.”

Participants from across Canada engaged deeply, returning each week for practice-based sessions that emphasized communication, confidence, and trust. The response highlighted a shared need across the sector for leadership approaches that support people as much as processes.

Kakali designed the series around four themes adapted from the International Coaching Federation’s competency framework. “Mindset comes first. We all need a coaching mindset; curiosity, openness, and continuous learning,” she shared, adding, “Presence has changed my life. Learning how to be fully present is very transformational.”

Her goal was to offer accessible professional development. “I hope participants feel more confident in how they collaborate, that they can listen deeply, ask good questions, and support others [in a multi-stakeholder team environment],” she emphasized.

The project was also personally meaningful. “This series helped me grow as a facilitator and as a coach,” she shared, acknowledging the encouragement she received from colleagues Julie Jenkins and Erica Kluthe from Organizational Development, whose support played a key role in bringing this project to life.

This work reflects something important about our community at Bow Valley College: when employees grow, the impact extends outward. Kakali’s learning is strengthening not only her own practice, but the broader applied research ecosystem she contributes to every day.

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