PATHFINDERS

Growing up in Fiji, Naz Ali studied maps of places she'd never seen. Today, her location intelligence platform influences commercial real estate decisions across Canada. The transformation came through patient teaching—showing brokers and salespeople how demographic analysis predicts retail success and traffic patterns affect site selection. "I teach them on a daily basis," she says. Education, not just expertise, drives impact.

When departments asked Melanie for maps, she asked what they were trying to accomplish instead. Twenty-five years later, the City of Kitchener operates like a connected organism—water breaks trigger automatic work orders, tree planting uses equity algorithms, and every solution serves multiple needs. "GIS is a team sport," she says. The magic happens "in the middle" where systems connect.

Some people see the problems in their communities and feel overwhelmed. Others, like Ali, see a call to action. "Our vision at PGL is to help create cities that are more sustainable, comfortable, and ready for the future." By developing a groundbreaking City Digital Twin platform, he is helping planners and architects rethink urban design from the ground up, ensuring that sustainability and livability are built in, not added later.

For Michaela Tuell, a forester with Northwest Management, forestry is not just about trees—it’s about legacy, balance, and...

When Digital Maps Become Cultural Shields Dr. Donna Miranda-Begay stood on her tribal allotment land in Weldon, California, watching an...

Jamie Christensen was at another networking dinner when someone asked the inevitable question: "So, what do you do for work?" He could...

A Single Post That Sparked a Global Movement It was March 7th, 2019—one day before International Women's Day. Julia Wagemann sat at her...

Steve Mark doesn’t just see maps—he sees connection. For nearly 15 years, he’s helped knit together a fabric of collaboration across...

Growing up in a rural farming community in Jamaica, Valrie Grant saw firsthand how geography could limit someone’s future. But she also...

In this episode of Pathfinders, host Jeff Lamb sits down with Shannon Foxx Day, a passionate advocate for GIS, leadership, and women in GIS.

James Britton is a leader in the Canadian GIS industry, known for his instrumental role in building and advancing GIS education.

“How do you describe GIS?” It’s the question that kicks off every Pathfinders interview, and Tim Nolan doesn’t hesitate. “I describe it...