
Geospatial industry today craves the infusion of youth into its ranks.
The young professionals that represent Millennial and Generation Z voices.
The bright young minds that help reimagine geospatial in a complex digital environment.
Young leaders that represent our industry’s future.
The Geospatial World 50 Rising Stars is an initiative by Geospatial Media and Communications to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of young individuals who are proactive and passionate about the value of geospatial technology to the economy and society. Selected from a list of over 250 high-quality nominations from the community, the Geospatial World board of editors agreed that these 50 candidates stand out at the top of their class and are well on their way to redefining the next generation geospatial leadership.
Here’s the list of 50 Rising Stars to look out for in 2021

Aimee Barciauskas
Development SeedUSA

Alexander Gunkel
Space4GoodThe Netherlands

Alexandra Fredericks
US Geological SurveyUSA

Alison DeGraff Ollivierre
National Geographic MapsUSA

Anita Graser
Austrian Institute of TechnologyAustria

Annina Koskiola
Proximi.ioFinland

Benjamin D'Incau
Procter & GambleSwitzerland

Callum Smith
EY AnalyticsNew Zealand

Christin Walter
Ordnance SurveyUK

Claire Owen
DronePrepUK

Clara Mundia
Dalberg ResearchKenya

Cyhana Lena Williams
MicrosoftNorway

Eleanor Stokes
Universities Space Research AssociationUSA

Elizabeth Carr
Planet Patrol CICUK

Emil A. Cherrington
University of AlabamaUSA

Ephraim Danford
USAID Tanzania Data for DevelopmentTanzania

Esther Onyekachi Moore
Sambus GeospatialNigeria

Gala Camacho
Data & Analytics ConsultantUK

Gopika Suresh
Nanyang Technological UniversitySingapore

Ifeanyi Ike
eHealth AfricaNigeria

Ishveena Singh
GeoawesomenessIndia

Jakub Karas
UpVisionCzech Republic

Kate O'Loan
GIS SpecialistAustralia

Katie E. Pickett
Cadasta FoundationUSA

Khimlal Gautam
Survey DepartmentNepal

Krystal Azelton
Secure World FoundationUSA

Laura Mugeha
SanergyKenya

Lauren Guy
Utilis CorpIsrael

Lieven Slenders
GatherUK

Lilian Ndungu
RCMRDKenya

Lindsay Chan
Department of ConservationNew Zealand

Macarena Pérez García
Institute for Disaster ResilienceChile

Maitha Alnuaimi
Dubai MunicipalityUAE

Morgan A. Crowley
McGill UniversityCanada

Narelle Underwood
NSW Department of Customer Service - Spatial ServicesAustralia

Noorullah Stanikzai
National Statistics and Information AuthorityAfghanistan

Paloma Merodio
INEGIMexico

Patrick Cozzi
CesiumUSA

Patrick O’Neil
BlackSkyUSA

Rob van Son
Singapore-ETH CentreSingapore

Rodrigo Peixoto Ferrão
AccentureBrazil

Rohini S. Swaminathan
UNICEFUSA

Siddharth Pandey
Dewberry EngineersUSA

Steve Marsh
GeoSpockUK

Sujay Sreedhar
Society for Space EducationIndia

Talal M. Al-Kaissi
Group 42UAE

Tushar Chhabra
CronAIIndia

Xiaojiang Li
Temple UniversityUSA

Zhenlong Li
University of South CarolinaUSA

Zipho Tyoda
KaTZ SmartSouth Africa