As the career of genetic counseling sheds its infancy, the role of genetic counselor (GC) evolved under the careful care of its community members. Employing over 80 lab GCs, Quest Diagnostics demonstrates the variety of roles and job titles in which GCs can excel. Many of Quest’s GCs are also deeply involved in the greater genetic counseling community as volunteers, educators, and leaders. We spoke with 4 individuals about how that community has shaped their careers and how they continue to invest in it in return. It became increasingly evident that persistent curiosity and a devotion to the future of the community drove them to action.
Steve Keiles' career has been shaped by his work redefining what it means to be a GC. As general manager for US Specialty Genetics and Genomic Services at Quest, he oversees product strategy, revenue, and test development and works across commercial, marketing, operations, and R&D.
Prior to his 12 years at Quest, he established himself within the genetic counseling community when he became a keystone member of a genetics start-up that has since transformed into a multimillion-dollar company. Coming from a clinical background, he was never formally taught the business side of the industry, so he learned by asking questions and was driven by curiosity. “My questions did not stop with an answer—I never took anyone’s word for granted,” he recalls. “I wanted to understand ‘the why.’” His tenacious curiosity informs his ability to spot patterns and gaps that require improvements. As the 2009 National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) president, he championed the expansion of GCs’ scope of practice and higher compensation. Through conference workshops and lectures, he has taught other GCs how to negotiate better compensation and practice thinking outside the traditional dimensions placed on a GC’s job title. His impact was recognized in 2025, when NSGC awarded him the Natalie Weissberger Paul National Achievement Award.
Lisa Demers' first exposure to the genetic counseling community began when she joined the New England Regional Genetics Group (NERGG). This was the start of a career-long passion for volunteer and advocacy work alongside her role as director of Strategy & Solutions for the North Region at Quest. Today, Lisa is president of NERGG and chair of New Hampshire's Governing Board of Genetic Counseling. She has also served on several national committees, including NSGC's Disciplinary Procedures Committee and its Annual Conference Planning Committee.
Lisa credits her “chronic volunteering” to her curiosity and love of learning new areas. She acknowledges that getting started can feel daunting, but simply showing up is enough. It has a snowball effect, where one small action can lead to another and another, growing over time to have a greater impact. When asked what she'd tell GCs who want to get more involved, she said, “You can't get involved unless you know what's around you [so put yourself in a position with exposure to the community, like a volunteer role] and you'll naturally make connections and discover opportunities that fit your interest.”
Kathy O’Brien’s interest in learning more about pharmacogenomic testing was what initially opened the door to a robust career as the technical manager for Pharmacogenomics at Quest. Driven by her goal to educate patients, providers, and students alike on the topic of pharmacogenomic testing and its impact on patient care, Kathy reaches the greater genetic counseling community through lectures, blogs, webinars, and podcasts. Outside of her own career, Kathy notes the meaningful impact individual contributions can make on the future of the field: “...By sharing your knowledge on what you love, you can inspire others and drive the field forward ... Your energy and voice can make an enormous difference!”
Brianna Jeffreys feels a similar sense of responsibility and ownership to the future of the field. As a genomic science specialist (GSS) in oncology, Brianna supports patients, providers, and the lab team throughout the genetic testing process. She has a passion for student education and mentorship, noting how it has afforded her the opportunity to watch firsthand as a student’s knowledge and confidence blossomed: “ It was probably one of the most meaningful [mentorships] of my career.” She continues to be active across the education pipeline— from supervising students and serving on student thesis committees to serving in various leadership roles for 2 different genetic counseling graduate programs. This includes serving as an adjunct faculty course instructor, admissions committee member, curriculum committee member, and advisory board member. She has also co-authored publications and meeting abstracts, several of which are related to projects conducted alongside genetic counseling graduate students. Her advice for GCs who want to make a broader impact is to think creatively about their existing skills. “GCs are extremely dynamic and capable of doing many things,” she says, encouraging them to “always be willing to step outside of the box” and consider how what they learn day to day can move the profession forward. “It is all our responsibilities to ensure the success and longevity of our profession, so we should work together to be creative in finding ways to do that.”
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