Committees
Advocacy Committee
Standing Committee. The APG Advocacy Committee promotes members' awareness of laws and activities which may affect genealogical and historical research and engages in activities to improve access to records.
Members: Alec Ferretti (Chair); Kelly Barbano-Bodami, Barbara Bombaci, Renée K. Carl, Suzanne Hoffman, Rich Venezia, Michael Waas
Awards Committee
The APG Awards Committee selects the persons who will receive the various awards given by APG on an annual basis.
Members: Mark A. Wentling, CG®(Chair); Hope Glidden, Shannon Musfelt
Chapter & SIG Review Committee
Standing Committee. The bylaws require at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director. The chair of this committee is the Chapter and SIG Liaison. The APG Chapter Review Committee reviews the bylaws of new chapters and Special Interest Groups applying for charters and presents their recommendations to the Board regarding approval.
Members: Michelle Custer Bates (Chapter Liaison & Chair); Kendra Gaede, Jamie Mayhew
Continuing Education Committee
The Continuing Education Committee manages the process for tracking and reporting of members’ required hours.
Members: Jenifer Kahn Bakkala (Chair); Adriana Gormly Andrews, Shannon Byers, Melanie Hayward, Tricia Seguine, Lillian Wingate
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Standing Committee. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s focus is to ensure APG serves all professional genealogists regardless of age, national origin, gender identity, disability, race, or color. In addition, this Committee will help to inform and educate members and committees regarding best practices related to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Members: Melinda Kashuba, PhD (Chair); Diana Bawn, Victoria Kolakowski, Katharine O’Connell, Alex Priest, Melanie Proctor
International Affairs Committee
Standing Committee. The APG International Affairs Committee promotes members' awareness of international developments which may affect genealogical and historical research. It also promotes awareness of, and interest in, professional genealogical services on an international level.
Members: David Ryan(Chair); Andre A.M. Carneiro, Rose Lerer Cohen, PhD, Risa Heywood, CG®, Lene Draeby Kottal, CG®, Cathie Sherwood
Membership/Listening Committee
Standing Committee. The Listening Committee receives communications from members containing compliments, questions, concerns, and recommendations. The committee reports member communications to the board, along with any recommendations for action, and responds to the members about the outcomes. In 2026, the committee will be combined with the membership committee, which focuses on maintaining current membership and attracting new professional members.
Members: Shannon Combs-Bennett (Chair); Laura Kovarik, Jennifer Shoer
Long-Range Planning Committee
The Long-Range Planning Committee was constituted 15 October 2021 to examine the current state of APG, envision what the organization should/could be, and make recommendations for actions that will take us to that future.
Members: Suzanne L.Hoffman (Chair); Sarah Day, AG®, Laura Kovarik, Michelle Dowd Torosian
Nominations Committee
Standing Committee. The bylaws require three (3) members, one of whom must be a director appointed by the Board. Two members are elected annually by the membership. The APG Nominations Committee publicizes the need for qualified nominees via a variety of channels to ensure a strong pool of candidates, issues a call for nominations for elected positions, and recommends a slate of candidates.
Members: Sarah Day, AG®(Chair); Theodore Georgas, Deborah Harvey
On-Ramp Committee
The committee develops content to support new members joining APG, and those transitioning into the field from other careers.
Members: Karin Coppernoll (Chair); committee to be announced shortly
Professional Management Conference (PMC) Committee
The PMC Committee works with the APG team of contractors to support the annual management conference, from inception to implementation.
Members: Pamela Moore (Chair); Sara Butson, Regina Roberts, Torhild Shirley, Lisa Weaver, Paula Williams
Professional Development
Standing Committee. The bylaws require at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director. The APG Professional Development Committee encourages, promotes, and provides educational opportunities for those engaged in genealogical business pursuits.
Members: Elizabeth Murray Vargas (Chair); Kristina Clever, Kelley Conner Lear, CG®, Markus Schoenherr, Paula Williams
Professional Review Committee
Standing Committee. The bylaws require at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director. The APG Professional Review Committee reviews complaints about members relating to the APG Code of Ethics and Professional Standards, and presents their findings and recommendations to the Executive Committee for action.
The members of this committee are confidential and were approved by the Board of Directors in January 2025.
Publications Advisory Committee
Standing Committee. The bylaws required at least three (3) members, one of whom must be a director appointed by the board. The APG Publications Advisory Committee reviews and approves all publications of the Association of Professional Genealogists, including but not limited to the Quarterly (APGQ), APG eNews, online content for the APG website, press releases, flyers, and other content including items distributed by chapters and special interest groups (SIGs) to ensure that printed and electronic materials best represent the standards and policies of the organization.
Members: Jennifer Dix (Chair); Belinda Brouette, Shannon Musfelt, Lori Lyn Price, Melanie Proctor
Website Committee
The Website Committee monitors and evaluates the performance of the APG website with particular emphasis on how well it is serving the needs of members and other users. The committee makes recommendations to the board for improvements to the website’s capabilities.
Members: Fiona Brooker (Chair); Sara Dawson, Debby Horton, Jen Hupf, Pamela Ricciardi Paschke