How Jamie Christensen Uses Location Data to Unlock Empathy and Drive Change

Pathfinders For Good
Mar 16
3 min read

Updated: 17 hours ago

Jamie Christensen was at another networking dinner when someone asked the inevitable question: "So, what do you do for work?" He could have given his usual response—"Google Maps on steroids"—and watched their eyes glaze over. Instead, something shifted. "I'm just curious about the world and the where of the world," he found himself saying. "GIS unlocks empathy." The person leaned in, genuinely interested. What happened next changed everything about how Jamie approached his work.

Beyond Maps and Data Points

Jamie discovered that most people think Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is just about making maps. But he realized something deeper was happening. "Humans crave interaction with each other, and the way we do that is we connect and look for commonalities," he explains. Location data wasn't just showing where things were—it was revealing how people related to each other and their environment. When Jamie helped a North Carolina nonprofit map community priorities using simple pebbles on paper maps, they uncovered a forgotten quarry that locals treasured but lacked proper access. The data showed something the organization had missed: their community's deep connection to this overlooked space.

From People-Pleaser to Community Builder

The breakthrough came when Jamie connected his childhood coping mechanism to his professional mission. Growing up moving between North Carolina and California summers on his grandfather's cattle ranch, he'd learned to connect with anyone in any situation. "I get a lot of validation from being a people pleaser," he admits. "But as I've gotten older, I've been able to push that in a direction that's less about getting people to like me and more about how do I funnel that into great outcomes where people feel like they were heard." This realization transformed how he built his two businesses—always putting the end user first, even when they weren't the ones paying the bills.

Making Data Serve People, Not the Other Way Around

Jamie's insight revolutionized his approach to technology. Instead of forcing citizens to navigate complex mapping interfaces, he built tools that predicted what information people actually wanted. When someone types in their address, they get their school district, tax information, and zoning details immediately—with the map as a backup option. "Most folks just want the answer," he says. "The map itself is often not the vehicle for giving those insights." This shift from data-centric to human-centric design helped local governments serve their communities more effectively while making complex information accessible to everyone.

Your Impact Pathway

For changemakers reading this, Jamie's story offers both validation and direction. His journey shows how technical skills become powerful when combined with genuine curiosity about human connection. Whether you work with data, serve communities, or simply want to make complex information more accessible, you already have tools for creating the empathy you want to see in the world.

Consider these reflection questions as you apply Jamie's insights:

Where in your work can you shift from serving systems to serving people? Look for moments when process gets in the way of human connection.
How might your technical skills unlock empathy in your community? Every tool can become a bridge between people when designed with genuine care.
What assumptions are you making about what people want versus what they actually need? Sometimes the simplest solutions create the biggest impact.
How can you use your unique background to connect with diverse groups? Your varied experiences are assets for building understanding across differences.

Ready to explore more of Jamie's insights?

The full conversation reveals his practical strategies for building community-driven solutions, balancing technical expertise with human connection, and using humour and vulnerability to create authentic relationships in professional settings.

Explore the full episode or audio summary using the links provided below.

Watch the full Jamie Christensen conversation on YouTube