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, 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: Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG® (Chair);  Shannon Musfelt, Heidi Ryan, Mark A. Wentling, CG®


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: Jessica M. Taylor (Chapter Liaison & Chair); Michelle Custer Bates, Jennifer Roodzant


Continuing Education Committee

The Continuing Education Committee manages the process for tracking and reporting of members’ required hours.

Members: Jenifer Kahn Bakkala (Chair); Shannon Byers; Melanie Dunstan; Amanda Perrine

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);Victoria Kolakowski, Carly Morgan, Katharine O’Connell, 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); Cinda Baxter, AG®, CG®, QG, Andre A.M. Carneiro, Rose Lerer Cohen, PhD, Lene Draeby Kottal, CG®, Cathie Sherwood


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.

Members: Michael McCormick, AG® (Chair); Shannon Combs-Bennett, John Daskalakis; Liv Marit Haakenstad, AG®


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:  Markus Schoenherr (Chair); Alec Ferretti, Suzanne L. Hoffman, Laura Kovarik, Pamela Ricciardi Paschke, Michelle Dowd Torosian


Membership Committee

The Membership Committee focuses on maintaining current membership and attracting new professional members.

Members: Tricia Seguine (Chair); Laura Kovarik, Jennifer Shoer


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: Shannon Combs-Bennett (Chair); Erica Cousins Curtis, Kristin Dennis


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);  Karen Kowallis, AG®, Elissa Scalise Powell

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, Regina Roberts, Torhild Shirley, Lisa Weaver


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: Kelley Conner Lear, CG®(Chair); Kristina Clever, Cynthia Heidorn, Markus Schoenherr, Jeanette Sheliga, 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); Jenifer Kahn Bakkala, 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, Jen Hupf, Pamela Ricciardi Paschke