Izabela Miller: From Hand Drawn Maps to Leading with Vision

Izabela Miller didn’t set out to become a cartographer. In fact, she says her path to geography and GIS was “totally by accident.” A friend’s recommendation and a desire for something different led her to take a chance on a geography program in Poland. One cartography class later—and an intense exercise drawing the globe by hand—she was hooked.

“Not only did I have to buy all the tools I was not familiar with, but also learn about projections,” she said. “A lot of people just gave up… but not me.” That early perseverance would define much of Izabela’s journey—from a student in Poland to a GIS leader in Utah.

When she moved to the U.S., Izabela brought with her a deep passion for map-making, but quickly realized she’d need to start from scratch with new tools and systems. Her first internship at the state of Utah became a turning point.

“I had a handful of wonderful mentors… one of them taught me how to make beautiful maps, how to turn boring information into something exciting.”

That early mentorship sparked not just skill, but purpose. Izabela saw maps as more than functional—they were art. But as her career advanced, she realized that to fully unlock the power of GIS in government, she’d need to do more than make maps. She’d need to lead.

“There is only so much I could do where I was,” she said.

“So I had to move up the rank to make the impact.” That shift—from individual contributor to visionary leader—meant learning how to inspire others and let go of her own way of doing things. “I had to leave my ego in the hallway before I stepped into the office.”

Through it all, Izabela’s leadership style stayed grounded in openness and humility. She sought out mentors, completed a master’s in public administration, and learned to build teams that could carry her vision forward. “I knew I couldn’t do both,” she explained, referring to hands-on cartography and leading an entire tech department.

“I hired great people… and I had to let them run with it.”

Letting go didn’t mean stepping away. Today, Izabela leads the broader technology strategy for her organization, with GIS still close to her heart. And she continues to center her work on people. “I let my team present, I let them take the credit. This builds confidence. I had my turn—and now, it’s theirs.”

It’s that quiet confidence—earned through grit, grace, and growth—that makes Izabela a Pathfinder. Her story is a reminder that leadership isn’t about the spotlight. It’s about shining it on others.