Angie Spierenburg (she/her)

My high school geography teacher was the one who suggested I look at Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I decided to attend the Nova Scotia Community College's Annapolis Valley Campus (COGS). I first started my career by performing GIS data analysis and conversion processes. I have worked for various military, emergency response, and firefighting groups. I have also done work for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) organizations. I then went on to do the installation and training of GIS solutions for the management of critical 9-1-1 emergency calling services throughout the USA. From there, I moved into more sales and customer success roles. In this role I increased customer awareness of GIS products and services. I did this by suggesting new products, features, and strategies. It was during this time that I started to mentor and coach our junior employees who were just starting their careers.

During my career, I noticed the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the geomatics industry. Specifically, I noticed very few women, black, Indigenous, or other people of color working in the industry and at the management level. This made me want to go back to school and study leadership. I also wanted to learn how to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in our industry. I recently formed a partnership with the Nova Scotia Community College's Annapolis Valley Campus (COGS). We have created an Equity in Geomatics bursary. This bursary provides financial support to people who are underrepresented in the geomatics industry. This support allows them to get an education that can lead to employment in the geomatics industry.