Diahan Southard, Founder and CEO, Genetic Genealogy Expert and Educator

Diahan Southard knows firsthand what a difference it can make to know where you came from. What started off as an educational and career interest in genetic genealogy became deeply personal when she used DNA to discover her mom’s birth parents and connect with new relatives.

Now she has 20+ years of genetic genealogy experience. She built her company, Your DNA Guide, to show that learning DNA doesn’t have to be intimidating, frustrating, or require a college degree in biology. Her goal is to teach you to “Do the DNA”–and feel confident and have fun in the process!

Diahan teaches internationally, writes for popular magazines, authored Your DNA Guide–The Book, and produces Your DNA Guide–the Academy, an online learning experience. Contact Diahan’s office.

Kelli Bergheimer, Director of Education

With a degree in biology and a Master’s in Education, Kelli knows a thing or two about teaching DNA! She also does DNA research and report editing for Legacy Tree Genealogists; is Director of Curriculum and Assessments for a textbook company; and runs an online DNA interest group. A popular speaker internationally: she was the most-watched presenter for the global RootsTech 2023 event. She’s also a contributing writer for Your DNA Guide.

Kathie Knoll,
Marketing Director

Kathie Knoll is a veteran marketing and communications strategist in the family history/genetic genealogy community (prior experience at Ancestry.com and Relative Genetics). She has degrees in both business and history. After managing Your DNA Guide–the Academy, Kathie now takes the lead on our marketing team.

Katie Crichton, Academy Director

Katie Critchton has over 20 years of genealogy experience. She holds a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University and has completed the ProGen Study Groups program, as well as numerous institute courses. Katie specializes in British and Irish research and the colonial U.S. South. She also enjoys applying her background in molecular biology to solve challenging genetic genealogy problems. She is currently an Advanced Researcher at Legacy Tree Genealogists and has served as the secretary of ProGen Study Groups since 2021.

Jessica Nelson, Affiliates Manager and Customer Service Specialist

Jessica assists with customer service and our affiliate program. She graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Classical Civilization from UCLA. In her free time, she can be found reading or watching tv, most likely with a cat on her lap.

Amber Oldenburg, Social Media Manager

At Your DNA Guide, Amber maintains our social media presence and works to develop and implement engaging content. When not working on Your DNA Guide’s social media strategy, she can be found traveling the country with her family or reading a history book.

Sunny Jane Morton, Content Specialist

Sunny uses her award-winning writing and editing talents to plan and create content for our blog and other communications. She is a Contributing Editor of Family Tree Magazine; Editor of NGS Magazine; past Editor of Ohio Genealogy News; instructor for GRIP Genealogy Institute and SLIG; and co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records.

Michelle Leonard, Genetic Genealogy Coach

Michelle is a Scottish professional genealogist, DNA detective, speaker, author and historian with a wealth of international experience in both the traditional and genetic genealogy fields. Her first involvement with DNA came in 2009 when she worked on the ground-breaking ‘Fromelles Genealogy Project’ tracking down appropriate DNA donors to identify WWI soldiers buried in a mass grave in France and she has been immersed in using DNA for family history ever since! She runs her own genealogy and DNA consultancy business, Genes & Genealogy, specializing in solving all manner of unknown parentage and unknown ancestor mysteries using a combination of DNA expertise and traditional research methodologies. She also undertakes conventional family history research, media consultation, lecturing, coaching, podcasts, webinars, the creation and teaching of DNA courses and article, blog and book writing commissions. Michelle is also a co-authors of Tracing Your Ancestors Using DNA: A Guide for Family Historians and is a consultant genetic genealogy coach and instructor for the Your DNA Guide Academy.

Lori Napolitano, Genetic Genealogy Coach

After Lori graduated from Northwestern University with a master’s degree in Chemistry, she taught high school science, and then she stumbled into the world of Forensic Science, even before CSI! She changed direction and spent 31 years with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, splitting her time between forensics and investigations. When she retired, she was Chief of Forensic Services in Orlando and had created a very successful statewide Investigative Genetic Genealogy program.  Bringing her ‘hobby’ to work and solving over a dozen violent crime cold cases was amazing!

Laura Sandidge, Genetic Genealogy Coach

Laura is a life long learner that enjoys all things DNA, genealogy, and education. She comes to Your DNA Guide with over 25 years experience in the business and education field. Even after a BA in History, MA and PhD in general and Special Education, loads of research classes and well over 35 genealogical institutes and study groups, Laura would be the first to admit there is always something new to learn! She strongly feels that targeted and specific education can lead to a new way to approach a problem or spark an idea that could solve a long-standing problem. Laura loves doing genetic research and since she has taken pretty much every targeted and specific education class that Diahan has taught, it was only logical that she joined our team!