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OUTREACH

Alfreda’s writing experience and excitement help us provide a place to collaborate and share ideas and apprehensions as writers, which in turn, builds on old and new stories.

Authors' Corner

Alfreda Duffy

Alberta, CAN

Brian has been a member of Icelandic Roots since 2016 and has been an active volunteer on the Writing Group since 2022.

Writer

Brian Borgford

Alberta, CAN

Cass reunites with her Snorri cousins, Owen Roberts and Jack Plumley as part of the Icelandic Roots podcast crew!

Podcaster

Cass Laufey Heigaard

Minnesota, USA

Combined with a deep respect for his roots, Gerry brings his experience in the arts to IR as a member of our writing team.

Writer

Gerry Stefanson

British Columbia, CAN

Jason promotes various exciting aspects of our Icelandic Roots community, such as Public Webinars and Saga Projects.

Public Webinars

Jason Doctor

California, USA

As an IR volunteer, Judy hopes to learn more about her ancestors’ homeland and encourage connections among IR members.

Samtal Hour Manager

Judy Dickson

British Columbia, CAN

Kjersten volunteers on the social media team and serves as a database editor.

Social Media

Kjersten Gaminek

Manitoba, CAN

Patty became an IR member several years ago and looks forward to helping others find family connections, as a member of the volunteer team!

Program Assistant

Patty Johnson

Manitoba, CAN

Randy manages the IR Facebook private group page. He welcomes new members, vets them and makes sure all is well within the groups postings and interactions.

Facebook Group

Randy Johnson

British Columbia, CAN

Sharron is excited to join the IR Volunteer Team, working with others in the creation and promotion of new work by IR authors. She has more than 45 years of experience, writing in a wide variety of genres.

Writing Manager

Sharron Arksey

Manitoba, CAN

Sverri brings a wealth of experience and interest to the IR community and contributes to our Writing Team.

Writing Team

Sverrir Sigurdsson

Virginia, USA

Becky first joined Icelandic Roots before traveling to Iceland in 2016 but did not become an active member until 2020. She ran the 2021 Fitness Challenge and is a member of the social media team and the writers’ group.

Membership Outreach Director

Becky Byerly-Adams

Colorado, USA

Bryndís serves as a writer, public relations & language consultant, and marketing assistant for Icelandic Roots.

Writer & Public Relations

Bryndís Víglundsdóttir

Reykjavík, ÍSL

Gay has written songs, plays, grants, newspaper articles and picture books. She is pleased to take part and contribute to the writers' group.

Writer

Gay Strandemo

Wisconsin, USA

Heather’s professional experience and interest in literature lend well to her genealogical pursuits and her role as host of the IR Book Club.

Book Club Manager

Heather Lytwyn

Manitoba, CAN

As a member of the Outreach Team, Jack has shifted his focus from podcaster to Social Media Team Director. In this role, he provides education to members and promotes public and private events at Icelandic Roots.

Social Media Director

John (Jack) Plumley

Alberta, CAN

Kent Lárus is an active supporter of IR by telling those on tours about the 'Cousins Across the Ocean' and the IR Database where they can find maps, photos, stories, genealogy, cousins, ancestors, and preserve their family story.

Language & Translation

Kent Lárus Björnsson

Reykjavík, ÍSL

Owen, an alumnus of the Snorri Program, spearheads our Icelandic Roots Podcast.

Podcaster

Owen Roberts

Manitoba, CAN

Phyllis Smith has been working on her family history since 2012 and is a member of the newsletter team.

Newsletter Team

Phyllis Smith

Ontario, CAN

Rob began volunteering at Icelandic Roots in 2015 with the goal of becoming a better genealogist and to help with the IR database. Work responsibilities eventually sank that plan, but with retirement in 2021 Rob got a second chance and has since drifted into the realm of IR communications, dabbling in newsletters, training materials, and storytelling.

Newsletter Managing Editor

Rob Olason

Washington, USA

Having gleaned so much from IR over the years, Shaune decided that she should reciprocate, and became a member of the Outreach team in March 2023.

Newsletter Team

Shaune Jonasson

Ontario, CAN

In addition to her graduate studies in International Affairs, Veronica brings a wealth of writing and project experience to the IR team!

Writer

Veronica Li

Virginia, USA

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