Recognition Honors Dangermond’s Contributions to the Advancement of Geographic Information System Technology and Environmental Stewardship
- Esri president Jack Dangermond has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as part of its 2026 class of distinguished members.
- Dangermond was recognized by one of the nation’s oldest honorary societies for his leadership in GIS technology and environmental science.
- Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors excellence and convenes leaders from across disciplines to address issues of national and global importance.
- The Academy’s 2026 class includes 252 leaders from academia, science, industry, the arts, journalism, philanthropy, policy, and research.
REDLANDS, Calif.—October 21, 2026—Earlier this year, Esri president Jack Dangermond was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies. On October 10, Dangermond joined the other new members in the official induction ceremony at the Academy in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Dangermond joins the Academy’s 2026 class of 252 newly elected members, recognized for excellence and leadership across academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research, and science. He was identified by the Academy as an environmental scientist and geographic information system (GIS) technologist, reflecting Dangermond’s decades-long contributions to advancing and promoting the use of location intelligence to address complex global challenges.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences was established to recognize accomplished individuals and engage them in advancing knowledge and serving the public good. Today, the institution functions both as an honorary society and an independent research center, bringing together leaders from diverse fields to examine new ideas, inform public policy, and address significant national and global challenges. More than 14,500 members have been elected since its founding, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Jennifer Doudna, and many other influential figures whose work has shaped society.
Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences recognizes individuals whose achievements have had a significant impact in their fields and whose expertise can contribute to the Academy’s mission of advancing knowledge, fostering democratic ideals, and addressing issues of importance to the nation and the world.
Dangermond’s election reflects the growing importance of GIS technology in helping organizations take a geographic approach to understanding complex data, managing resources, and making informed decisions.
“I am profoundly grateful to accept election as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences,” said Dangermond. “Since founding Esri over 50 years ago, it has been our mission to develop technology which not only innovates but that helps to build a more connected and sustainable world. It’s an honor to be recognized for our work by the Academy, whose commitment to open exchange of ideas and evidence-based knowledge I share for fostering an informed and free society.”
To learn more about the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and its 2026 class of newly elected members, visit amacad.org/news/new-member-announcement-2026.
About Esri
Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world’s most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit us at esri.com.
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