Our Team
Stephanie Horton, MSEd, IGG
Stephanie Horton is a founding member and Investigative Genetic Genealogist. Prior to taking on this role, Stephanie worked in Corporate and Government Public Health over a 25 year career. She brings with her Program Planning, Training, and Research experience in the fields of Health Behavior and Higher Education. Stephanie is a graduate of the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Program and practices genetic genealogy for adoptees and families searching for biological relatives. She is a member of the National Genealogical Society and currently serves as the Communications Coordinator for the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board (IGGAB). She is pleased to be of service to Law Enforcement, collaborating and ushering in much needed IGG Services. Stephanie earned a BHS from the Medical University of SC and a MSEd from Virginia Tech. 
Diane Bates, PhD, IGG
Diane Bates is a founding member and Investigative Genetic Genealogist. She has held numerous roles before entering the field of Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Diane has degrees and experience in both School and Developmental Psychology. She has worked in the fields of Outcomes Consulting, Institutional Research and Program Evaluation and has run her own retail business for many years. She has also worked as a Costumer for numerous Community Theatre productions winning two Syracuse Area Live Theatre awards. Diane currently serves as a Board Member for two non-profit organizations: The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and Ophelia’s Place. Diane originally moved into the field of IGG after using Genetic Genealogy to identify an adopted family member’s biological parents. She is a graduate of Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Program. Diane is excited to be working in a field that helps law enforcement bring closure and justice to families through the use of leads generated by Genetic Genealogy .
Mary Youngquist, BA, IGG
Mary Youngquist is a Waypoint Team Leader and Investigative Genetic Genealogist. She spent the first half of her career working in private industry for IBM and BAE Systems and then transitioned into the public sector. She’s a former CBP and CIA officer with extensive experience working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
After retirement, Mary became a security consultant to Buckley Petersen Global LLC, which she continues to do today. In 2023, she started her own IGG Company, Young Investigative Genetic Genealogy LLC.
Mary began her 30+ year journey in genealogy as a hobbyist. She has completed numerous, extensive trees for family and friends. Her interest in genetic genealogy began when she discovered hitherto unknown family members who had been adopted, by analyzing shared DNA test results in direct-to-consumer databases.
Mary completed Ramapo College of NJ's IGG Certificate Program and is currently partnering with Waypoint IGG LLC.
James Whitaker III, MA, IGG
James Whitaker III is a Waypoint Team Analyst/Auditor and Investigative Genetic Genealogist. He spent the first few years of his career working for the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office before finishing with the Bayonne Police Department, retiring as a Police Lieutenant.
Additionally, James served in the United States Navy Reserves for twenty-seven years as a Security Officer retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. He was deployed twice earning the Global War on Terrorism Service medal in support of Operation Noble Eagle / Enduring Freedom.
In 2023, he started his own IGG Company, Find My Kin LLC. In his spare time, he assists adoptees locate biological family as well as assist persons who have unexpected DNA results.
James received his MA degree from Seton Hall University and has a Paralegal Certificate from Middlesex County College. He is also a graduate of Ramapo College’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Program. 
Sandra Lerman, BS, IGG
Sandra Lerman is a Waypoint Team Analyst and Investigative Genetic Genealogist. She received her BS in biology from Barnard College. Upon graduation, she worked in the biotechnology sector for 10 years, after which she took a break to dedicate herself to raising her children.
In 2018, Sandra assisted her best friend in finding her birth parents. Witnessing the profound impact of this reunion on her friend’s life sparked Sandra's interest in IGG. Once her children went off to college, she decided to follow her passion and enrolled in the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Program.
Sandra is excited to join Waypoint where she can apply her skills to help uncover new leads for law enforcement as well as families of unidentified decedents.
Laurie Duchowny, PhD, IGG
Laurie Duchowny holds a PhD in criminological sociology from Stony Brook University in New York. Recently retired from a 25 year career as a professor of sociology, she is now focused on her work as a lead investigative genetic genealogist at Waypoint IGG, and as the principal at Santa Cruz Genetic Genealogy Services in California. Through her volunteer work as a genetic genealogist, Laurie has assisted over 50 adoptees and others to identify birth parents and other unknown family members, and has also utilized genetic genealogy to reunite families separated by the holocaust.
Diana Monnette, BS, IGG
Diana is a Waypoint Team Volunteer, and Investigative Genetic Genealogist. She received her BS in history from Oregon State University and earned a Certificate of Investigative Genetic Genealogy from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She worked as a journalist and later in the field of social media management for 15 years before pivoting to the field of IGG.
Diana has always had a passion for family genealogy and history, and in recent years developed a deep interest in the power of genetic genealogy—particularly its applications beyond building personal family trees.
Diana is honored to join the Waypoint IGG team, where she can apply her skills and experience to help bring resolution to cases of unidentified remains and provide investigative leads to law enforcement agencies.