Andre Kearns, chair, is a director at large for the National Genealogical Society and chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee. He is a genealogist, public speaker, commentator, and writer who has extensively researched his family tree tracing back to 1619 and the first Africans to arrive in Virginia. He is committed to making the genealogy community more diverse, equitable and inclusive, and empowering large sections of our society to discover their family stories, be inspired by them, and give voice to their ancestors.

Reem Awad-Rashmawi is a member of NGS, an immigration lawyer, and a professional genealogist. She founded the National Society for Arab and Arab American Genealogy (NSAB) and actively participates in and speaks at several regional, state, and local genealogy organizations. In 2019, after researching her own family for over thirty years, she opened “Photographs and Memories by Reem,” offering genealogy consulting and research services. Reem’s prior volunteer and nonprofit work includes programming and communications for her local genealogy society, contributing to various educational initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing the learning experience and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for students, and addressing issues related to Arabs and Arab Americans.

Bernice Alexander Bennett serves on the Board of Directors for the National Genealogical Society, Chairs the Membership Committee and is also on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She is an award-winning author, genealogist, nationally recognized speaker, storyteller, and producer-host of the popular Research at the National Archives and Beyond BlogTalkRadio show. Bennett is one of the Founders of the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute and a member of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. She created the Descendants of African American Homesteaders Facebook group to encourage descendants to find land acquired under the Homestead Act of 1862, and to share their family stories on the Homestead National Historical Park Service website under the “Black Homesteaders Project.

Carly Lane Morgan is the owner of Family Tree Notebooks and Genealogy is Boring. She is a retired attorney who has been working in the genealogy community as a writer, designer, and educator since 2019. Although she lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, she serves on the board for the California Genealogical Society and has roots in the Chinese communities of the Bay Area. She also serves on the D.E.I. committee for the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Judy Nimer Muhn serves on the Board of Directors of the National Genealogical Society and as the chair of the awards committee. She is also the President of the Michigan Genealogical Council and Oakland County (Mi) Genealogical Society, NGS Delegate for the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan. Judy is a descendant of Mi’kmaq First Nations in Nova Scotia, part of the Oglala Lakota Woptura tiospaye of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. An activist in Indigenous actions for water, land, and First Nations/Indigenous peoples, she researches Indigenous, Acadian, French-Canadian, and Scottish families in Canada and the United States.

David Morrow is an entertainment attorney based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in unscripted TV and documentary sectors. He works for a highly accomplished LA-based production studio, bringing his expertise to a variety of entertainment projects. In his spare time, David is a professional genealogist, documenting his unique family history across the southern states and sharing his personal discoveries through blogging. He resides in Los Angeles with his family. A dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, David also serves on the Executive Board for the California Society of SAR. Additionally, he is a member of the National Genealogical Society and contributes to the Society’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, reflecting his commitment to both his professional endeavors and personal interests.

Guy Weston is a genealogist currently working on research and public history initiatives to raise the profile of Timbuctoo, NJ, where his 4th great-grandfather purchased land in 1829. His work includes interpretive signage in Timbuctoo, coordination of a curriculum development project in collaboration with local teachers, and preservation efforts for the Timbuctoo cemetery, where the oldest gravestone is dated 1847. He serves as Managing Director of the Timbuctoo Historical Society, is the editor of Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) Journal, and is a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University. He has contributed articles about his research to AAHGS Journal, AAHGS News, National Genealogical Society Magazine, and New Jersey Studies. He maintains a website at www.timbuctoonj.com. His prior experience with DEI initiatives was in the field of public health, where he worked for more than 25 years.