This August, DNAngels is proud to recognize Tess McIntosh as our Volunteer of the Month. Tess is a talented Genetic Genealogist whose compassion, dedication, and wide-ranging skills have made her an invaluable member of our team.
A Lifelong Passion for Genealogy
Tess’s love for genealogy began early in life. As a teenager, she pored over her step-grandmother’s carefully compiled research, sparking a fascination that only deepened with time. When her grandmother passed away, Tess was honored to inherit her work—a gift that inspired her to continue the journey of preserving and expanding her family’s story.
As DNA testing gained momentum, Tess’s interest grew. She began helping friends and family uncover their own genetic histories and quickly realized she wanted to take her skills to the next level. In 2022, she earned a Certificate of Genealogical Research from Boston University. Tess also serves on the board of directors of her local genealogical society in California, where she contributes her expertise to her community.
Joining DNAngels
In 2023, with her youngest child leaving for college, Tess found herself with more time to devote to her passion. She joined DNAngels, and from the start, her empathy and skill were clear. Tess has since become an integral part of our organization—bringing her sharp research skills, compassion for clients, and strong teamwork to every case.
Outside of genealogy, Tess loves travel, photography, exploring old cemeteries and historic homes, ghost hunting, and getting lost in a good book.
A Teammate Who Inspires
Tess’s fellow volunteers speak highly of her commitment and teamwork.
- Dee Sanchez shared:
“I was her researcher for a new case and she was amazing with collaboration and communication with me, all while juggling lots of questions from a very active and involved client. We were able to tackle the case over a pretty intense couple of days—it’s solved pending a target test. Exciting doesn’t adequately describe the experience. I loved every minute spent with Tess; she’s fantastic!” - Michelle Gabbard added:
“I’d like to nominate Tess for recognition for her incredible work as a volunteer with our search angel organization. Tess has been a steady and dedicated presence in both our casework and our outreach efforts. She brings so much care and empathy to every client interaction. Beyond her casework, she’s a key member of our social media team—helping respond to YouTube comments, update titles and descriptions, and even stepping up to upload our content to TikTok and Instagram. She saw a need and just took initiative. Tess is thoughtful, reliable, and deeply committed to our mission.” - Laura Olmsted, Founder & Executive Director of DNAngels, echoed this sentiment:
“Tess has become such an important part of our core team of volunteers. She fills many roles and eagerly volunteers for extra service. I’m honored to have her as part of our volunteer force.”
Why We Celebrate Tess
Tess embodies what it means to be a DNAngel. She combines technical expertise with genuine empathy, always putting clients first and supporting her teammates with positivity and dedication. From complex casework to social media outreach, Tess steps up wherever she’s needed—and she does it with grace and enthusiasm.
We are grateful for Tess’s many contributions and proud to honor her as our Volunteer of the Month for August 2025. Congratulations, Tess—you inspire us all!
