Meet the Pomeroy Foundation Historians
You’re passionate about history. So are we.
At the Pomeroy Foundation, we help communities across the United States to commemorate their local history by providing fully-funded grants for historical markers. Markers preserve history and heritage, educate the public, encourage pride of place and promote tourism. Our team of professional historians work directly with you so that you have the highest quality application for a marker that’s historically accurate and based on primary source research. With a Pomeroy Foundation grant, you and your organization or community can be assured that you will receive the gold standard of historical markers.
Susan Hughes
Lead Historian & Archivist
Susan has worked in the public history sector for more than 30 years. At the Pomeroy Foundation, she oversees a wide range of historical marker programs and the research historians who support the marker applicants and grantees. Recognizing her many contributions to public history through her role at the Foundation, Susan is a recipient of the prestigious Hugh Hastings Award presented by the Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS). Susan previously worked in the University Archives at Syracuse University and as a Regional Archivist for the Documentary Heritage Program. Susan earned a B.A. from the University of Delaware and an M.A. in history with a public history concentration from Bowling Green State University where she worked at the Center for Archival Collections.
Jodi Oaks
Senior Research Historian & Grants Reviewer
With more than a decade of experience in historical research and library science, Jodi is responsible for working directly with marker applicants throughout the entire process. Her role includes reviewing and evaluating marker grant applications, as well as conducting primary source research. She is also the program lead for Legends & Lore. Jodi’s work with the Foundation began as a historical research consultant for the National Votes for Women Trail program in 2019. Before joining the Pomeroy Foundation, Jodi worked as a reference and research librarian in higher education. Jodi holds an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences from Mohawk Valley Community College, a B.S. in history from SUNY Oneonta and an M.S. in information and library science from the University at Buffalo.
Zach Finn
Research Historian & Educational Coordinator
As a member of the Pomeroy Foundation’s historical research team, Zach reviews and evaluates marker grant applications based on primary source research. He works with marker grant applicants throughout the entire process. Among his duties, Zach is the program lead for Patriot Burials. In addition, Zach also serves as Educational Coordinator, assisting with the cultivation of partnerships and programming with schools and educators. Before joining the Pomeroy Foundation he worked in education, outreach and visitor engagement at the Seward House Museum in Auburn, N.Y., and as a teaching assistant at Onondaga – Cortland – Madison Counties BOCES and the East Rochester Union Free School District. Zach earned a B.A. in history from Lycoming College and an M.A. in American history from SUNY Brockport.