I love the collaboration, camaraderie, and convergence of skills, backgrounds, and time zones that characterize mapathons and crowdsourcing projects, but the best part is the feeling of being able to do something meaningful in response to a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis. I also love that every mission brings the opportunity to jump in and learn something new.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to support the talented and dedicated GISCorps volunteer community and Core Committee in their efforts to provide geospatial expertise to communities and organizations in need worldwide.
I first became involved in disaster response during Hurricane Katrina, where I saw firsthand the critical impact that having recent and accurate damage information could make for decision-makers and communities in crisis. That experience shaped much of my career and fueled my commitment to using geospatial technology in support of disaster response and recovery. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work on numerous events—from hurricanes and floods to wildfires and tornadoes—helping agencies and organizations apply imagery and analytics to better understand damage, prioritize resources, and accelerate recovery.Joining GISCorps allows me to bring that experience into a volunteer setting, contributing alongside an inspiring community of GIS professionals who are motivated not just by technology, but by service. What sets GISCorps apart is how it channels the power of the global GIS community into moments of real human need, ensuring expertise is applied where it can have the greatest impact. Volunteering here is both a way to give back and to stay connected with a network of peers who believe, as I do, that geospatial information can save lives and strengthen resilience.
I have had the privilege of working with GISCorps PhotoMappers since Nov. 2020. This mission has allowed me to continue to be of service despite any physical challenges and to provide situational awareness to the teams that need it. I am so grateful to work alongside other volunteers that have the same sense of service. Now that I am a member of the Disaster Response Core Committee, I see how much extra work goes on behind the scenes and I feel fortunate to join the team.
I am volunteering to be part of GISCorps' Core Committee because I am so excited to be connecting our partner organizations to our talented volunteers.
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