It was with great honor and excitement that I began my term as president of the American Board of Genetic Counselors in 2026. I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the Board of Directors, and I am eager to work alongside our dedicated volunteers and staff to further the important mission of ABGC.
During my tenure, I am committed to substantial communication and active listening as a baseline for action. Before becoming a genetic counselor, I was a high school teacher, where crafting clear, coherent messaging for all kinds of learners was essential. My genetic counseling training and the leadership roles I’ve undertaken since have reiterated the importance of communication and active listening. I am confident that we can propel the important work of ABGC forward through focusing on the robust sharing of information and perspective, along with intentional and thoughtful follow-up actions.
One area where I am particularly passionate is helping candidates prepare for the ABGC board exam. I want people to better understand the exam: how it’s made, why the development process is important and what resources—including the recently launched study guide and exam resource list—are available. The board exam is an important tool for assessing the knowledge, competence and capability of our candidates and demonstrating trustworthiness of certified genetic counselors. Robust tools exist to help candidates prepare for, and feel more comfortable with, this seminal event in their genetic counseling career trajectory. I believe we can do more to empower candidates so that they may approach the exam with the confidence to succeed.
ABGC is an organization that continues with forward momentum and purposeful change. Here’s a quick update on some of our progress in 2026:
- The Certification Exam Committee (CEC) met in January to evaluate new exam questions for the August 2026 and February 2027 exams. The committee will meet again in May to finalize the additions.
- The Continuing Competence Committee (CCC) is working to launch four new Learning Scenarios for 2026. Two are currently in review, and their anticipated launch is in mid-May. Two others are in development and will likely be ready in late summer or early fall.
- The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Committee (DEIJ) remains focused on welcoming new perspectives into the field with the Needs Based Certification Scholarship. The committee has also begun working with the CCC to review new Learning Scenarios, ensuring their content reflects ABGC’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity.
I also want to take a moment to wholeheartedly thank everyone who helps ABGC function. I have seen firsthand the care and expertise that our Board members, staff, and volunteers bring to their work. It is truly inspiring to witness the countless hours they dedicate to ensuring the highest quality output.
That said, we recognize that there is always room for improvement, and we will need input from all stakeholders to ensure ABGC is ever-evolving to meet the needs of our field. As we look ahead to the future, I am eager to engage with you all to better understand how ABGC can meet needs and address concerns. I welcome open and honest conversations with program directors, curriculum developers, students and anyone who is invested in the success of the genetic counseling profession.
In closing, I am truly honored to serve as your 2026 ABGC president. I reflect on the responsibility of the position every day through interactions that help propel ABGC into a bright future. It is with great consideration and care that I weigh decisions impacting Diplomates, candidates and other stakeholders. I am excited about the work that lies ahead, and I am confident that ABGC will continue to play an impactful role in strengthening and elevating the genetic counseling field. I look forward to hearing from you to ensure that ABGC remains a responsive, forward-thinking organization providing valuable resources for our profession.