Susan Muleme Kasumba: Changing the Way We See Our World

When Susan Muleme Kasumba tells people she works in GIS, the follow-up question is usually the same: “Oh, like Google Maps?” Her answer is simple but powerful: “Yes—but at a higher level.”

Susan’s work is about more than navigation. As Business Development Manager for Airborne Imaging, one of North America’s largest airborne LiDAR mapping companies, she helps communities understand their landscapes in ways that can literally save lives. “I help our clients get the most out of their LiDAR data,” she says. “And I love it.”

Her love for maps started early, but it was her passion for people that shaped her path. Susan began her career in technical support and cartographic labs, slowly transitioning into sales—not because she chased numbers, but because others saw in her the rare ability to connect.

“I was always talking to people,” she recalls. “So when an inside sales role opened up, the director of sales told me, ‘You have to send in your resume.’”

That ability to listen closely and ask the right questions has made Susan a trusted voice in a field that’s often misunderstood. “When I first started in LiDAR, people said it was too expensive. They didn’t know how to use the data. But the cost of a LiDAR survey is insignificant compared to what a municipality might lose in a flood.”

Susan doesn’t just talk about the benefits—she shows them. Through her work with BeSpatial, Ontario’s GIS association, she led a series of educational workshops called “LiDAR 101” and “Now What Do I Do With It?” These sessions brought together everyone from municipal staff to software vendors and federal agencies to break down the value of geospatial data in plain terms.

“It wasn’t a sales pitch,” she emphasizes. “It was about solutions. People need to see how this technology fits into their world.”

Of course, not every conversation leads to an immediate win. Susan knows that real change takes time. “Someone once told me it takes an average of seven contacts before a business will buy,” she says. “So I count—email, call, share an article, suggest a conference. I keep going until I hit seven.”

That patience, along with a deep humility, is what sets Susan apart. “If I don’t win a proposal, I go back and ask, ‘What could I have done better?’ I always want to learn.”

In a world driven by fast results and short attention spans, Susan’s steady presence has helped GIS professionals feel supported, seen, and connected. She mentors young people, brings users and vendors together, and constantly reminds her community: pick up the phone.

“People don’t talk anymore. Just pick up the phone and call,” she says with a smile. “We’re all people. Titles don’t matter.”

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by technology, hesitant to speak up, or unsure where to begin—Susan’s story is your reminder that expertise is about empathy, and maps are really about people.