The following announcement was written by the (U.S.) National Genealogical Society:
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is excited to announce the appointment of genealogy educator Kimberly Powell as its new director of education. With over twenty years of experience in genealogy instruction and course design, Powell brings extensive expertise to her new role.
Starting her employment on 1 May 2024, Powell will spearhead the implementation of NGS’s vision for the future of genealogy education and learning.
Prior to joining NGS, Powell held several positions as a professional genealogy writer and educator. From 2000 through 2016, she was the genealogy expert for About.com. She has been a faculty member and course developer in Boston University’s Genealogy Studies program since 2018. She also operates Level Up Genealogy, a business committed to providing genealogy education, mentoring, and accountability.
Powell is a longstanding member of NGS and the Association of Professional Genealogists, where she served as a director and officer, including a term as president from 2014 to 2015. She also contributed her skills as the assistant director of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and as an instructor at SLIG, NGS’s GRIP Genealogy Institute, and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR). Renowned for her expertise, Powell is a frequent speaker and lecturer at national, state, regional, and local genealogy events.
In addition to her extensive instructional work, Powell’s published works include “The Challenge of Endogamy and Pedigree Collapse” in the book Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies (Iron Gate Publishing, 2019). She is also the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy (Adams Media, 2008; 2nd ed. 2011; 3rd ed. 2014) andThe Everything Family Tree Book (Adams Media, 2006). She has contributed articles on various genealogy topics to the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, NGS Magazine, Family Tree Magazine, Who Do You Think You Are? magazine, and Everton’s Genealogical Helper.
Expressing her enthusiasm about her new role, Powell said, “I am excited for the opportunity to help NGS serve its membership and our genealogy community. Thanks to Angela McGhie’s exceptional leadership and vision, we have a solid foundation from which we can continue to grow. It’s a privilege to join such a dynamic team and to contribute to our shared mission of excellence in genealogy education.”
Executive Director Matt Menashes, CAE, shared his excitement about Powell’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Kimberly as part of the NGS team. Her extensive background as an educator, her exceptional writing skills, her deep knowledge of the community, and her focus on the future of genealogy education make Kimberly an outstanding addition to NGS. We are thrilled to have her on board and working towards the expansion of our educational programs.”
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Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society inspires, connects, and leads the family history community by fostering collaboration and best practices in advocacy, education, preservation, and research. We enable people, cultures, and organizations to discover the past and create a lasting legacy. The Falls Church, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from beginners to the most advanced family historians.