Adam Carnow: A Career Transforming Unseen Managers Into Spatial Leaders

Adam Carnow has spent a lifetime fascinated by geography. As a kid, he devoured National Geographic magazines and navigated wilderness trails with only a map and compass. That early curiosity led to a degree in geography, a career in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and eventually, a calling that would take him far beyond mapmaking.

“I used to tell people I make maps,” Adam recalls. “Now I say: I help people make better decisions with the power of location.”

It’s a subtle shift in language with a powerful message. For Adam, GIS isn’t just about data—it’s about transformation. Over time, he realized that the biggest roadblocks GIS professionals face aren’t technical—they’re human.

“The hurdles weren’t about the tech,” he says. “It was about people. About bureaucracy. About not being seen.”

That insight became the spark for something bigger: a global movement to elevate GIS professionals into strategic leaders. He created The Path to GIS Success, a program and online portal designed to help GIS managers navigate the leap from technical expert to organizational changemaker.

GIS managers, Adam explains, are often isolated—expected to lead digital transformation without the strategic training or community support. “Most job descriptions for GIS managers were written 10 or 15 years ago,” he says. “They don’t match today’s reality. GIS is now a cloud platform used across the enterprise. Managers need business skills, not just tech skills.”

He began collecting and sharing stories—real-world examples of GIS leaders reshaping local governments, driving smarter city planning, and using spatial data to tackle problems like homelessness, crime, and climate change. “I’m not just out there preaching,” Adam says.

“I want to help people lift themselves up. I tell their stories. I connect them.”

That passion has taken him around the world, virtually and in person. His message resonates across continents and industries. “It’s humbling,” he admits. “I was just one person working in the Southeast U.S., and suddenly I’m speaking in Australia, connecting with folks in New Zealand and Denmark. The need for this kind of community is everywhere.”

But his journey hasn’t been without resistance. Not everyone is ready to hear that the old way of doing GIS isn’t enough. “Some GIS managers just want to make maps,” Adam says.

“But the customer isn’t one person—it’s the whole organization. And our job is to help that organization achieve its goals with spatial intelligence.”

Despite the friction, Adam keeps going. Because for him, the stakes are high. “Every day GIS goes underused, it’s frustrating. These tools could help solve real problems—public health, climate, inequality. But only if people understand their value.”

That’s why he’s not just building a portal—he’s building a community. One that turns lonely mapmakers into connected leaders. One that turns frustration into impact.

---

If you're inspired to become a Pathfinder, your next step is to Add Your Voice: www.pathfinders.social/voices