Featured Speakers

Discover insights and proven strategies

These speakers bring inspiration and real-world examples of how they are leading the way in the adoption, expansion, and innovation of geographic information system (GIS) technology in their organizations.

Learn proven tactics to influence change

Explore how GIS leaders approach change, sharing real‑world tactics and challenges drawn from their own work.
Champion GIS in your organization

Discover how leaders champion GIS adoption and expansion through innovative approaches that prove the value of GIS.
Communicate and deliver measurable results

Learn how leaders quantify GIS project results and communicate outcomes executives care about.

Christie Pleiss, Esri

Director of Mission Alignment in Professional Services

Christie is a strategic integrator who works across Esri to connect strategy, execution, and long-term impact. She aligns people and priorities, helps inform enterprise direction, and also plays a key role in advancing investment in the GIS leadership community.
John Lenahan, Esri

Director, Commercial and Emerging Technology Services

John guides the direction and execution of services engagements across the AEC, commercial natural resources, energy, banking, retail, real estate, insurance, manufacturing, entertainment/media, high-tech, and trucking and distribution verticals for Esri.
Alex Harper, Central Arkansas Water

Senior Information Services Manager

Alex focuses on advancing GIS from a technical function to a strategic leadership driver. He leads enterprise initiatives including ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Utility Network, and AI governance. He is passionate about helping organizations adopt a geospatial mindset.
Stevo Robinson, Auckland Council

Product Manager

Stevo is a product manager at Auckland Council, the largest local government organization in Australasia. He focuses on bringing together technology, data, and people to create practical solutions while aligning product road maps to strategic goals.
Trich Maupin, Bonneville County, Idaho

Department Manager

Trich has spent 20 years working in GIS, beginning with hands-on experience using Trimble workflows, TerraSync, and ArcMap, then evolving to ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and ArcGIS Experience Builder. She continues to share her knowledge and support the growth of GIS within her organization.
Corey Unger, Utah Department of Transportation

GIS Program Manager

Corey and his team support GIS implementation, innovation, and policy across the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). Corey holds a master’s degree in geography and has spent more than 20 years working in GIS, including 12 years at UDOT.
Izabela Miller, Growing Curiosity

Author and Founder

Izabela helps GIS professionals become the leaders that executives trust and teams follow. Her book, The Science of GIS Leadership, is built on more than 60 interviews with leaders across the field.
Tim Haynes, City of Philadelphia

Geographic Information Officer and Chief Data Officer

Tim leads enterprise GIS, data, and spatial strategy for citywide programs that help departments improve services, modernize operations, and make better decisions with data.
Anthony Powell, City of Houston Public Works IT

HPWIT-GIS Assistant Director

With nearly 40 years of professional GIS experience, Anthony has successfully led multiple multimillion-dollar initiatives across complex public works business units.
Billy Ferguson, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

GIS Architect

Billy designs and implements geospatial solutions that support emergency response and coordination across the state. He brings a strong governance and change‑management perspective shaped by both operational and strategic roles.
Kirk Wythers, Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Lead Data Scientist

Kirk brings deep expertise in advanced data science, spatial analytics, enterprise geospatial platforms, and translating emerging technologies into pragmatic, business‑aligned solutions.
Cyril Smith, State of Massachusetts

State Geospatial Information Officer and MassGIS director

Cy has been the Massachusetts State Geospatial Information Officer since 2023. He is the founding chair of the Coalition of Geospatial Organizations, a coalition of 14 professional organizations representing over 170,000 members.
Lorin Lima, Kaingaroa Tipu Ltd.

Geospatial Manager

Lorin has over two decades of experience building high-performing geospatial teams and advancing enterprise GIS capabilities across both government and industry—including national crisis response, enterprise GIS transformation, and the advancement of emerging geospatial technologies.
Wade Kloos, Utah Dept. of Natural Resources

GIS Director and Director of Enterprise Systems

Wade was a city planner in Laguna Niguel, California, where he built the city’s GIS system. Wade joined Esri before returning to public-sector GIS practice, where he created a process to measure and document the return on investment of GIS operations.
Eric Shreve, City of Goodyear

Geospatial Manager

Eric has worked with the city’s Public Safety, Water, Public Works, and Development Services to connect data, systems, and people. His career in GIS has traversed wildland fire to Next Generation 911, shaping his belief that success isn’t just about technology, but trust, relationships, and buy-in.
Bryan Chandler, TSCG

Partner, SVP and Managing Director of Technology and Innovation

Bryan oversees a portfolio spanning enterprise IT, cybersecurity, AI, GIS, and data analytics, translating emerging technology into measurable business outcomes across 20 offices and more than 250 professionals.
Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

General Manager

Kyle Swanson has over 25 years of water industry experience focused on leadership, operations, and project management. He was appointed CEO/general manager of Padre Dam Municipal Water District in June 2022 after serving as the agency’s assistant general manager.
Megan Stanley, GHD

Manager, Technical Applications

Megan leads the Technology Applications team at GHD, building the foundations for technology enablement that improves workflows, addresses project challenges, and maximizes data value.
Marilyn Howe, Diebold Inc.

Advisory Services Executive

Marilyn Howe is a business intelligence professional in financial and technology sectors, currently serving as the Head of Global Banking Advisory Services at Diebold Nixdorf, providing strategic council to banks and credit unions across North America, Europe, and LATAM.