In a message to students, Louise St Denis, managing director and founder of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, announced her retirement. She plans to spend more time with her family and travelling.
She said, “After 30 years in the educational field of the genealogy community, I have sold both my companies, Heritage Productions and The National Institute for Genealogical Studies.”
The National Institute for Genealogical Studies started in 1997. Today, it is a leader in genealogical education with more than 240 courses and 13 certificate program. Heritage Productions is a genealogical publishing house specializing in educational books, materials, and history.
Angela Breidenbach, a graduate student of the institute’s English program, has taken over as managing director.
According to her website, Ms. Breidenbach is a professional genealogist and bestselling author of over 20 books. She is also a members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Based in Missoula County, Montana, she has “one foot in researching history and genealogy and the other as a 21st-century techie enthusiast. Her passion is researching family genealogy and writing those stories into novels and screenplays.”
Ms. St Denis said in a news release issued yesterday, “I’m so proud of the accomplishments of our team over the years at both The National Institute for Genealogical Studies and Heritage Productions. The passion we have shown in our chosen field has made the institute the leader in genealogical education.
“I’m extremely confident that under Angela Breidenbach’s leadership, the company will have continued success,” she added. “She has that same passion. Coupled with her management talent, The National Institute will have continued growth helping people around the world achieve their objectives either as family historians or professional genealogists.”
It is expected that Heritage Productions will benefit from Ms. Breidenbach’s comprehensive publishing industry knowledge. She is known to preserve and honour the history of a business while understanding how to prepare and provide for the future of the companies she has led.
Ms. St Denis is not retiring immediately. For the next few months, she will help Ms. Breidenbach with the transition and finish creating a new website for the institute.
