
CELEBRATING OUR MAPPING ROOTS
Pathfinders reflects on its origins in the geospatial community, celebrating contributors’ inspiring stories while spotlighting their impact and unveiling new initiatives for 2025 expansion.
January 15, 2025
As Pathfinders begins an exciting new chapter in 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on our origins and express heartfelt gratitude to the community that inspired this journey: the geospatial professionals who shape the world we live in. Pathfinders was born from a vision to amplify stories of everyday heroes, and it all started with the Geospatial community. Their passion for data, innovation, and impact laid the foundation for everything we’ve built.
A Community That Mapped the Future
From mapping river systems as a child to working with Esri and municipal leaders, my (Jeff Lamb’s) journey has always been tied to geospatial innovation. This community has taught me the value of asking the right questions, fostering collaboration, and finding purpose in data for good.
It was within this vibrant ecosystem of GIS professionals, planners, and innovators that Pathfinders was tested, refined, and brought to life. The Geospatial community gave us a platform to spotlight their work, and their stories have inspired a broader vision to expand into other fields.
Spotlight: BeSpatial Ontario
One of our greatest partnerships has been with BeSpatial Ontario. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in helping Pathfinders grow. Through our collaboration, we’ve highlighted the passion and purpose that drive geospatial professionals in their pursuit of sustainable, innovative solutions.
As we look back at the incredible guests who’ve shared their stories, from municipal leaders to GIS trailblazers, one thing is clear: the Geospatial community embodies the PATH values we hold dear—Passion, Action, Tenacity, and Humility.
A Retrospective: Celebrating Contributors
Pathfinders has been privileged to spotlight the incredible contributions of so many geospatial professionals. Here are just a few of the remarkable individuals whose stories have inspired us:
Paul Giroux: Elevating decision-making through GIS maturity models. Watch now | Follow online
Matt Pietryszyn: Championing open data to foster trust and innovation. Watch now | Follow online
Joann Fox: Leveraging location intelligence for smarter communities. Watch now | Follow online
Linda Wilson: Transforming organizations with GIS-driven open data. Watch now | Follow online
Adam Carnow: Inspiring geospatial innovation through leadership and strategy. Watch now | Follow online
Matt Lewin: Connecting people, processes, and tech to unlock value. Watch now | Follow online
Andrew Burton: Promoting open data as a government philosophy. Watch now | Follow online
Trisha Brush: Using GIS storytelling to foster collaboration and growth. Watch now | Follow online
Eric Abrams: Highlighting GIS as a transformative data powerhouse. Watch now | Follow online
Dianne Haley: Developing champions and building GIS community resilience. Watch now | Follow online
David Moss: Advocating for career ownership and mentorship in GIS. Watch now | Follow online
John Nolte: Bridging data and actionable insights through GIS. Watch now | Follow online
Todd Lewis: Driving smarter decisions with systems-thinking in GIS. Watch now | Follow online
Matt Forrest: Innovating with GIS for environmental sustainability. Watch now | Follow online
Julie Spangler: Harnessing GIS for visual storytelling and empathy. Watch now | Follow online
Izabela Miller: Enabling impactful GIS use with accessible solutions. Watch now | Follow online
Gary Maguire: Empowering teams with empathy and GIS leadership. Watch now | Follow online
Susan Muleme Kasumba: Reducing costs and improving municipal efficiency with GIS. Watch now | Follow online
Wendy Baldin: Championing collaboration and teamwork in GIS. Watch now | Follow online
Geoff Peat: Promoting actionable insights with geospatial data. Watch now | Follow online
James Pardue: Solving problems with innovative GIS applications. Watch now | Follow online
Chris North: Using geography for transformative decision-making. Watch now | Follow online
Kendrick O. Faison: Telling impactful stories with GIS data. Watch now | Follow online
Charles Altendorf: Transforming raw data into meaningful GIS insights. Watch now | Follow online
Will Cadell: Connecting the world with geospatial technology. Watch now | Follow online
François Laganière: Balancing tech and people for GIS success. Watch now | Follow online
Karen Stewart: Shaping smart cities with GIS systems. Watch now | Follow online
Nikolas Smilovsky: Advancing geospatial innovation and analytics. Watch now | Follow online
James Burn: Bringing communities together with geospatial solutions. Watch now | Follow online
Linda Stephens: Combining geographic thinking with data-driven decisions. Watch now | Follow online
Peter Hettstedt: Solving global challenges with GIS collaboration. Watch now | Follow online
Arif K. Rafiq: Improving transportation safety with GIS insights. Watch now | Follow online
Greg Babinski: Advocating for GIS-driven decision-making. Watch now | Follow online
Shawn Morgan: Focusing on people-first solutions in GIS. Watch now | Follow online
Frederic Blouin-Michaud: Strengthening GIS communities with collaboration. Watch now | Follow online
Duncan R & Peter V: Enhancing teamwork for GIS innovation. Watch now | Follow online
Ryan Garnett: Advancing transportation through geospatial intelligence. Watch now | Follow online
Aimee (Max) Whitcroft: Driving data-driven insights and GIS strategies. Watch now | Follow online.
Ron Cook: Focusing on people-centric geospatial solutions. Watch now | Follow online.
Frederic Blouin-Michaud: Building stronger communities through GIS innovation. Watch now | Follow online.
Brendan Walashek: Elevating geospatial applications for transformative change. Watch now | Follow online.
Joseph Kerski: Bridging education and GIS for future leaders. Watch now | Follow online.
Tim Nolan: Innovating public services through GIS excellence. Watch now | Follow online.
James Britton: Advancing geospatial thinking through innovative applications. Watch now | Follow online.
Shannon Foxx Day: Empowering data accessibility through modern GIS solutions. Watch now | Follow online.
Valrie Grant: Championing geospatial strategies for inclusive growth. Watch now | Follow online.
Looking Ahead
While our roots remain firmly planted in the Geospatial community, 2025 marks a bold step forward. Pathfinders is launching new verticals, beginning with initiatives for Urban Planning and Data for Good. These new paths honor our commitment to amplifying stories of impact across industries, always inspired by the Geospatial community's example.
Thank You for Being Part of the Journey
As we expand, we’re committed to celebrating the legacy of those who paved the way. Thank you for being part of our story and for inspiring us to explore new frontiers.
We’d love to hear from you! Who are the everyday heroes we should spotlight next? What challenges and opportunities do you see in 2025? Together, let’s map a future full of purpose, action, and hope.
Jeff Lamb Founder, Pathfinder Exploration Community