FamilySearch Announces First 4 Keynote Speakers for RootsTech 2025

RootsTech by FamilySearch has announced four of its keynote speakers for the world’s largest family discovery celebration, which will take place March 6–8, 2025.

Author Ndaba Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela), prominent artist Dana Tanamachi, and Olympic and Paralympic Gold-medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall, are the first keynote speakers to be announced. They will take the main stage to share their unique and inspiring personal, family and historical experiences with the global RootsTech 2025 audience.

Ndaba Mandela

Ndaba Mandela, a renowned speaker, author and social activist, grew up in South Africa. His grandfather, Nelson Mandela, was a prominent politician and public influence, spending 27 years in prison for his activism against Apartheid. When he was released, he invited Ndaba to live with him. While living with his grandfather, Ndaba was taught many lessons that inspired him to become a happy and effective global citizen. He attributes many of his teachings to his grandfather. Ndaba Mandela’s virtual keynote message will be available to watch at RootsTech.org starting Thursday, March 6.

Dana Tanamachi

Dana Tanamachi is a world-renowned artist. She is well known for her three-story mural at Starbucks inside New York City’s Empire State Building and for many other projects, including features on the covers of O Magazine and Time Magazine and her art on the US postal stamp. Dana is coming to Rootstech to share her own family story and its influence on her journey of becoming the artist she is now. Listen online or watch in person on Friday, March 7.

Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall

Olympic Gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall and husband, Paralympic gold medalist Hunter Woodhall, met at a high school track meet in Pocatello, Idaho, in 2017. They were married 5 years later. They both competed for Division I universities on their respective journeys to the Olympics, Tara at the University of Georgia, then the University of Texas, and Hunter for the University of Arkansas. Their journeys and relationship have captured the attention and hearts of fans all across the globe. They will share their incredible relationship and story with RootsTech on Saturday, March 8, available to watch in person or online.

What Is RootsTech?

RootsTech is a place to learn, be inspired, and make connections through family history. Hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by other leading genealogy organizations, we have hundreds of expert classes, tips and tricks videos, and inspiring stories that can help you experience family history like never before. Visit our on-demand learning library, or make plans to join us for our next virtual or in-person conference event.

Register for RootsTech 2025

Watch previous RootsTech keynotes and classes now on the RootsTech on-demand library.

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. We are a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use our records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 125 years. People access our services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 6,000 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah

Related Articles