Laura Olmsted is the Founder and Executive Director of DNAngels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals uncover their biological parentage through the use of consumer DNA testing and genetic genealogy research. Since founding DNAngels in 2019, she has led a team of international volunteers in solving more than 7,500 cases of unknown parentage, reuniting families across the globe.
Olmsted is recognized as a leading practitioner in the field of genetic genealogy, with extensive experience in applying advanced DNA analysis and family tree reconstruction to complex cases, including those impacted by adoption, donor conception, and unexpected parentage discoveries. Her work has contributed to raising awareness of genetic identity, the psychological impact of DNA discoveries, and the ethical considerations surrounding genetic genealogy.
In addition to her leadership at DNAngels, Olmsted is a frequent speaker and educator at national conferences and workshops, where she teaches the fundamentals of genetic genealogy to both beginners and experienced researchers. Her commitment to accessibility, compassion, and accuracy has established DNAngels as a trusted resource for thousands of clients navigating the challenges of genetic identity.