Slate of Officers This is the proposed slate of Executive Board Members for GSMDNC:
For Governor: Jennifer Baker
Jennifer Baker has spent more than 30 years leading projects, programs, portfolios, and PMOs for Fortune 500 organizations including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Duke Energy, Amtrak, TIAA, and United Rentals. She currently serves as the Deputy Governor of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in North Carolina and previously served as the Society’s State Treasurer. Jennifer is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, an instructor at UNC Charlotte and Lenoir-Rhyne University, and an Assistant Professor at Wingate University. As an educator, she has also designed and delivered curriculum for Northeastern, Georgetown, and Wake Forest Universities. She is a contributing author to the 2023 volume Portfolio Management: Delivery on Strategy and was featured in İpek Sahra Özgüler’s book The Perspective of Women in Project Management. Jennifer was part of the inaugural Master of Science in Project Management cohort at Northeastern University and holds PMP, PgMP, PfMP, ITIL, BRMP, SSMBB, PMO-CP, CB-PMO, and SAFe-SA certifications. She is a graduate of the PMI Leadership Institute Master Class (2015) and remains actively engaged in several nonprofit organizations. Jennifer lives in Denver, North Carolina, with her two Yorkies, George Jr., and Frankie.
Jennifer Baker has spent more than 30 years leading projects, programs, portfolios, and PMOs for Fortune 500 organizations including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Duke Energy, Amtrak, TIAA, and United Rentals. She currently serves as the Deputy Governor of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in North Carolina and previously served as the Society’s State Treasurer. Jennifer is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, an instructor at UNC Charlotte and Lenoir-Rhyne University, and an Assistant Professor at Wingate University. As an educator, she has also designed and delivered curriculum for Northeastern, Georgetown, and Wake Forest Universities. She is a contributing author to the 2023 volume Portfolio Management: Delivery on Strategy and was featured in İpek Sahra Özgüler’s book The Perspective of Women in Project Management. Jennifer was part of the inaugural Master of Science in Project Management cohort at Northeastern University and holds PMP, PgMP, PfMP, ITIL, BRMP, SSMBB, PMO-CP, CB-PMO, and SAFe-SA certifications. She is a graduate of the PMI Leadership Institute Master Class (2015) and remains actively engaged in several nonprofit organizations. Jennifer lives in Denver, North Carolina, with her two Yorkies, George Jr., and Frankie.
For Deputy Governor: Laurel Siviglia
Laurel and her husband Nicholas moved to North Carolina from Long Island, New York in 2009. They built a house in Pittsboro and moved in 22 months later in September of 2011. Yes, it took that long for the builder to do the job! While living on Long Island in New York, Laurel was Professional Concerns Person for the American Guild of Organists. She served as the organist, choir director, music director and sometimes titled Minister of Music for several different churches of various denominations. After moving to North Carolina, she served as President of the Chapel Hill Music Teachers Association and Dean of the American Guild of Organists for Durham and Chapel Hill. She is an active member of both organizations. Currently, she is serving the North Carolina Mayflower Society as Central Colony Governor and Junior Chairperson. Laurel is also serving as head of the Nominating Committee. In the past, she served as Captain and member of the Bylaws Committee. Her interest in history began when she was very young. Her father said that there was a family story that they were descended from people on the Mayflower. It turned out to be true! She joined the North Carolina Mayflower Society in 2018. Currently, she is also a member of the P.E.O., Clans Douglas, Fraser, Grant, and Hamilton, the Billington Society, the Soule Kindred, the Alden Society and a member of the Asbury Station DAR. Thank you for your consideration.
Laurel and her husband Nicholas moved to North Carolina from Long Island, New York in 2009. They built a house in Pittsboro and moved in 22 months later in September of 2011. Yes, it took that long for the builder to do the job! While living on Long Island in New York, Laurel was Professional Concerns Person for the American Guild of Organists. She served as the organist, choir director, music director and sometimes titled Minister of Music for several different churches of various denominations. After moving to North Carolina, she served as President of the Chapel Hill Music Teachers Association and Dean of the American Guild of Organists for Durham and Chapel Hill. She is an active member of both organizations. Currently, she is serving the North Carolina Mayflower Society as Central Colony Governor and Junior Chairperson. Laurel is also serving as head of the Nominating Committee. In the past, she served as Captain and member of the Bylaws Committee. Her interest in history began when she was very young. Her father said that there was a family story that they were descended from people on the Mayflower. It turned out to be true! She joined the North Carolina Mayflower Society in 2018. Currently, she is also a member of the P.E.O., Clans Douglas, Fraser, Grant, and Hamilton, the Billington Society, the Soule Kindred, the Alden Society and a member of the Asbury Station DAR. Thank you for your consideration.
For Recording Secretary: Katherine Brandi
Katherine and her husband moved to Wilmington, NC in 1974 after he was discharged from active-duty service in the United States Coast Guard. They are both transplanted northerners with deep family roots in New York and New England. Her mother and grandmother were Mayflower Society Life Members for many years as well as DAR members. It was not until nearing retirement that she felt she had time to explore membership in lineage societies.
She serves actively in her church and is an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA). She served for years as Clerk of Session and continues to serve as the Assistant Clerk. She is a commissioned Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader, not currently active. I currently serve as the Women’s Ministry Moderator. I have served on presbytery committees often as secretary, currently serving another active term. I have served on many church committees over the years often as chair or secretary. In 2016 she was honored to receive a Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Member Award from the PCUSA.
Katherine has served two terms on the Board of the Community Counseling Center (formerly Presbyterian Counseling Center) in Wilmington, one as secretary and one as president.
She is active in my DAR chapter; served two terms as chaplain and currently serves as parliamentarian and on additional committees.
She is active in the Southeast Colony, currently serving as secretary.
Katherine and her husband moved to Wilmington, NC in 1974 after he was discharged from active-duty service in the United States Coast Guard. They are both transplanted northerners with deep family roots in New York and New England. Her mother and grandmother were Mayflower Society Life Members for many years as well as DAR members. It was not until nearing retirement that she felt she had time to explore membership in lineage societies.
She serves actively in her church and is an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA). She served for years as Clerk of Session and continues to serve as the Assistant Clerk. She is a commissioned Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader, not currently active. I currently serve as the Women’s Ministry Moderator. I have served on presbytery committees often as secretary, currently serving another active term. I have served on many church committees over the years often as chair or secretary. In 2016 she was honored to receive a Presbyterian Women Honorary Life Member Award from the PCUSA.
Katherine has served two terms on the Board of the Community Counseling Center (formerly Presbyterian Counseling Center) in Wilmington, one as secretary and one as president.
She is active in my DAR chapter; served two terms as chaplain and currently serves as parliamentarian and on additional committees.
She is active in the Southeast Colony, currently serving as secretary.
For Corresponding Secretary: Jacqueline La Mar
A native of New York and a long-time resident of Virginia, Jackie has lived in Leland, NC since 2017. She is a member of the GSMD Scholarship Committee and was recently nominated to serve as the Mayflower Society’s NC Assistant General (with election in September during the Congress in Plymouth). Jackie has been NC’s Historian from 2024-2026. Previously, she was the Southeast Colony Governor from 2023-2025. She is proud that SE Colony members donated a full collection of the Mayflower Silver Books to a local public library.
Jackie worked for 31 years for the US Government. In addition to being a linguist, she earned project management certifications, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Financial Management. She is a member of several other lineage societies and formerly co-chaired a local genealogy group. After passing on the Historian mantle, she
hopes to organize her home, adopt another Doberman, occasionally visit her three children, and take another genetic genealogy class.
Jackie will also serve as an Assistant Historian to finish up her long queue of applications, and then help others join the NC Society.
A native of New York and a long-time resident of Virginia, Jackie has lived in Leland, NC since 2017. She is a member of the GSMD Scholarship Committee and was recently nominated to serve as the Mayflower Society’s NC Assistant General (with election in September during the Congress in Plymouth). Jackie has been NC’s Historian from 2024-2026. Previously, she was the Southeast Colony Governor from 2023-2025. She is proud that SE Colony members donated a full collection of the Mayflower Silver Books to a local public library.
Jackie worked for 31 years for the US Government. In addition to being a linguist, she earned project management certifications, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Financial Management. She is a member of several other lineage societies and formerly co-chaired a local genealogy group. After passing on the Historian mantle, she
hopes to organize her home, adopt another Doberman, occasionally visit her three children, and take another genetic genealogy class.
Jackie will also serve as an Assistant Historian to finish up her long queue of applications, and then help others join the NC Society.
For Treasurer: Deborah DeMirco
Deborah is a recent member of the SMDNC, having only been verified as a descendant of William Brewster this year! She lives in Lenoir, NC and belongs to the Western Colony. Having been approved in November to be your Treasurer of this organization, she wants to tell you a little about herself and her family.
Deborah and her husband, Joseph, moved to Lenoir from Chicago almost 14 years ago. They have three daughters who live with their families in Charlotte, and 5 grandchildren. Her mother’s family all came from the Hendersonville area, so they knew early on that this was the place they wanted to retire.
She retired from a long and satisfying career in Nursing with an area of expertise in the Emergency Department, and continued her education by obtaining multiple certifications in that field and a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Her last years of working were as Nursing Management of the ED.
Researching her family has been a true joy. She joined and served as Treasurer for Tucker’s Barn Chapter of DAR in Lenoir. She also serves as Membership Chair and Past President of the Lenoir Service League. As you can see, she loves to serve in the organizations in which she belongs!
She looks forward to meeting all at meetings and functions!
Deborah is a recent member of the SMDNC, having only been verified as a descendant of William Brewster this year! She lives in Lenoir, NC and belongs to the Western Colony. Having been approved in November to be your Treasurer of this organization, she wants to tell you a little about herself and her family.
Deborah and her husband, Joseph, moved to Lenoir from Chicago almost 14 years ago. They have three daughters who live with their families in Charlotte, and 5 grandchildren. Her mother’s family all came from the Hendersonville area, so they knew early on that this was the place they wanted to retire.
She retired from a long and satisfying career in Nursing with an area of expertise in the Emergency Department, and continued her education by obtaining multiple certifications in that field and a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Her last years of working were as Nursing Management of the ED.
Researching her family has been a true joy. She joined and served as Treasurer for Tucker’s Barn Chapter of DAR in Lenoir. She also serves as Membership Chair and Past President of the Lenoir Service League. As you can see, she loves to serve in the organizations in which she belongs!
She looks forward to meeting all at meetings and functions!
For Historian: Michelle Fields
Michelle Fields is a retired data analyst and trainer who enjoys helping others discover and document their family history. She has a particular interest in Mayflower, colonial New England, and Revolutionary War research and serves as the Registrar for her local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Michelle and her husband, Harry, live in Las Vegas, Nevada, with their houseful of dogs and cats. When she's not researching family history, she enjoys gardening, painting kindness rocks, playing hand percussion instruments, and volunteering at their local church.
Michelle Fields is a retired data analyst and trainer who enjoys helping others discover and document their family history. She has a particular interest in Mayflower, colonial New England, and Revolutionary War research and serves as the Registrar for her local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Michelle and her husband, Harry, live in Las Vegas, Nevada, with their houseful of dogs and cats. When she's not researching family history, she enjoys gardening, painting kindness rocks, playing hand percussion instruments, and volunteering at their local church.
For Elder: Reverend Anne McCorkle Garret
Anne McCorkle Garrett joined the Mayflower Society in 2020 in Maryland. She and her husband, Joseph Garrett, moved to Greensboro in 2025, and she transferred her membership to the North Carolina Colony. She attended her first Mayflower meeting last fall.
Anne has a daughter, Rebecca, and a son, Daniel. The whole family enjoys learning more about history and our family heritage. Anne and Joe and Rebecca traveled to Plymouth, Massachusetts in the summer of 2024, where they enjoyed spotting historic sites relevant to their Pilgrim, Peter Browne.
Rev. Garrett is a Global Methodist clergywoman, and has also served as a Chaplain in the Daughters of the American Revolution.
When she has finished unpacking and settling in, Anne would like to work on proof for her Jamestowne lineage.
Anne McCorkle Garrett joined the Mayflower Society in 2020 in Maryland. She and her husband, Joseph Garrett, moved to Greensboro in 2025, and she transferred her membership to the North Carolina Colony. She attended her first Mayflower meeting last fall.
Anne has a daughter, Rebecca, and a son, Daniel. The whole family enjoys learning more about history and our family heritage. Anne and Joe and Rebecca traveled to Plymouth, Massachusetts in the summer of 2024, where they enjoyed spotting historic sites relevant to their Pilgrim, Peter Browne.
Rev. Garrett is a Global Methodist clergywoman, and has also served as a Chaplain in the Daughters of the American Revolution.
When she has finished unpacking and settling in, Anne would like to work on proof for her Jamestowne lineage.
For Captain: Jill Chapman
Jill Sheridan Chapman has been involved with history for many years. She received the Social Studies award at Brevard High School when she graduated. Preserving history is important to her. She has been Co-President of Transylvania County Historical Society and continued on the board for a number of years in addition she helped start the Transylvania County Heritage Museum. She has led walking tours around the town of Brevard and was on the Transylvania County Cemetery Board for twenty-six years. She is a member of the Order of Founders of North America, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society Descendants of American Farmers, National Society Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century. Currently she is Chaplain of the Mary Coffin Starbuck Chapter.
Recently she completed and was approved as a member of Associated Daughters of Early American Witches. Her Mayflower ancestors are Elder William and Mary Brewster and Stephen Hopkins and his daughter, Constance Hopkins Snow. She has been a Mayflower member for sixteen years as well as NC Governor, NC Deputy Governor, NC Western Colony Governor and Assistant Governor (AG) and Deputy Governor General (DGG) for the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in Plymouth, MA.
Jill would be honored to serve as Captain of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in North Carolina.
Jill Sheridan Chapman has been involved with history for many years. She received the Social Studies award at Brevard High School when she graduated. Preserving history is important to her. She has been Co-President of Transylvania County Historical Society and continued on the board for a number of years in addition she helped start the Transylvania County Heritage Museum. She has led walking tours around the town of Brevard and was on the Transylvania County Cemetery Board for twenty-six years. She is a member of the Order of Founders of North America, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society Descendants of American Farmers, National Society Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century. Currently she is Chaplain of the Mary Coffin Starbuck Chapter.
Recently she completed and was approved as a member of Associated Daughters of Early American Witches. Her Mayflower ancestors are Elder William and Mary Brewster and Stephen Hopkins and his daughter, Constance Hopkins Snow. She has been a Mayflower member for sixteen years as well as NC Governor, NC Deputy Governor, NC Western Colony Governor and Assistant Governor (AG) and Deputy Governor General (DGG) for the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in Plymouth, MA.
Jill would be honored to serve as Captain of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in North Carolina.
