CHICAGO, January 17, 2024 — NORC at the University of Chicago is pleased to announce the promotion of Angela DeBello to NORC’s first-ever chief of staff. 

In this new role, DeBello will serve as a trusted advisor, thought partner, and liaison inside the Office of the President and will work across the entirety of NORC to help the organization advance its interests and goals. She will drive initiatives and projects that foster institutional priorities and ensure the success of NORC’s operations. And as NORC grows, the chief of staff role will be instrumental in driving innovation and excellence across the organization and will bolster overall business development efforts.  

“Angela's promotion marks a pivotal moment in our organization's history, symbolizing not just a new leadership position but an evolution designed to advance our strategic imperatives,” said chief strategy officer Missy Nachbar. “As we embark on this exciting journey, Angela's role will serve as a key catalyst in fulfilling our mission and helping shape the future of NORC.”

As a member of NORC’s Executive Council, DeBello has demonstrated her ability to think strategically and act inclusively. Beyond her expertise in strategy and operations, her reputation for collegiality and diplomacy, her depth of experience with departments and staff across NORC, and her remarkable gift for bringing teams together make her an excellent choice for this new role. As chief of staff, DeBello will use her relationship-building skills, strategic expertise, and experience to help leadership teams across the organization solve complex problems and create action plans that ensure our research continues to inform some of the most pressing issues facing society and the world.

“I am thrilled that Angela will be NORC’s first Chief of Staff. This promotion reflects Angela’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and dedication – and her enormous contributions to NORC’s success. She will have even greater impact in advancing our mission and goals in her new role,” said NORC President Dan Gaylin. 

DeBello started at NORC as a survey specialist, only her second job out of graduate school. Throughout her 25-year tenure at the organization, she has worked in several departments in a variety of positions. Last year, as an example of her growing leadership responsibilities, she served as interim chief diversity officer. Her thoughtful and inclusive stewardship of the Office of DREI ensured the stability and integrity of our commitment and the progress that can now continue under the direction of chief diversity officer Demola Sholagbade. This was all in addition to her role overseeing NORC’s business development efforts, which have thrived under her leadership. 

“When I joined NORC more than 25 years ago as a survey specialist, I never anticipated that I would have such a rich and rewarding career at NORC,” DeBello said. “Now, I get to apply my deep knowledge of our organization and our work, strong relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues, and strategic business development skills to help shepherd this organization into the future in my new role.” 

DeBello earned her MA from the University of Loyola Chicago and her BA from Dominican University.