Join us as we discuss what it's like to attend the ESRI UC for the first time with members of Women in GIS Madyson Bradford and Sara Thompson.

Esteemed guest Katie Grillo had the opportunity to present at the ESRI UC this year in San Diego and has returned to tell us about her experience! From selection to Jack Approved, check out how the plenary takes shape and how you could find your way to the stage!

Check out her presentation here:

In this episode we talk with Katie Grillo, Geospatial Connector.

Katie is a GIS Web Technology Specialist. Her mission is to empower data owners to understand how they can visualize their information through maps and digital storytelling. She provides hands-on trainings, presentations, live demos and support, all designed to help educate both GIS and non-GIS users on how to do more with their spatial data.

By day, Katie works full time for the City of Cambridge, MA. During her nights she teaches at the University of Richmond, Virginia and also runs her own GIS Consulting Business, called Geogressive.

Katie is heavily involved in the GIS Community in the Northeast. She spent many years volunteering on the Board for the Northeast ArcGIS Users Group (NEARC). During her 2020-22 Presidency, she launched the NEARC Community Events program, where she has organized dozens of virtual and in-person events to help bring the GIS Community together on important topics. In early 2023 she founded the Women in GIS Northeast Chapter with the goal of creating more space for women in GIS to thrive.

In a statement: Katie is a passionate GIS Professional striving to create meaningful impact through mapping, storytelling, and community engagement.

Fran Curtis is the Director of Digital Solutions for Pennoni, located at firm headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. Pennoni is a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, and ran is responsible for their portfolio of digital solutions with an emphasis on geospatial. Fran guides clients in their digital transformations, crafting solutions to help with a variety of workloads, implement solutions to extend the longevity of infrastructure, and to help them plan and forecast capital expenditures. Fran has more than 20 years experience in providing digital solutions to federal, state, local governments and Fortune 500 companies. Fran is a PA native of West Chester, with a BA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Sam Dinning is a GIS Analyst at Douglas County, Colorado, member of Women in GIS, and volunteer. Sam is passionate about GIS data, and has a BS in Geospatial Sciences and Community Planning, and a MS in Applied Geospatial Sciences from Northern Arizona University.

Kara Utter is the owner and founder of Dynamic Visions GIS, a consulting company offering services to local government, international entities, business case consulting, feasibility studies, data development, analyses and more. She also is an instructor for Geospatial Training Services, an active member of Women In GIS and URISA, and her experience is varied throughout the world. Kara recently founded Dynamic Visions, venturing out to independence after working for various companies, governments, and other entities for many years. Kara has a BS in Biology and Marine Science from the University of Wisconsin and a MS in Environmental Science and Geospatial Analysis from the University of Colorado Denver.