Mapping The Conversations

In this episode of Mapping the Conversations, host Dr. Valrie Grant is joined by Fernand Balé, Director of Côte d’Ivoire’s Center for Geospatial Information & Digital and former Co-Chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). Together, they unpack how global geospatial frameworks move from concept to impact — transforming decision-making, governance, and resilience on the ground.

Fernand shares his journey in the geospatial sector and his leadership role at UN-GGIM, offering insights into the evolution of global geospatial governance and what it takes to strengthen national and regional geospatial ecosystems. The conversation explores the critical importance of geodesy — the invisible infrastructure underpinning everything from navigation and finance to disaster response.

They also discuss how the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) is beingtranslated into local action, the importance of centers of excellence and regional reference frames, and how South–South cooperation can accelerate capacity building and innovation. Fernand shares compelling examples, including how Côte d’Ivoire is using AI to map deforestation cost-effectively, illustrating the power of data-driven solutions for national development.

Whether you’re a policymaker, geospatial professional, or just curious about how data shapes decisions, this episode offers invaluable lessons from the frontline of global geospatial leadership.

Join us for this insightful conversation as we explore howglobal geospatial initiatives translate into national impact.

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Dr. Justin Bennett — 26-year DoD geospatial veteran, repeat entrepreneur and DBA joins Mapping the Conversations to unpack what really drives successful geospatial programs. He explains how interoperability improves data integrity, introduces his Geo IQ maturity ideas, and explores how Geo AI is reshaping geospatial research and practice.

They dive into:

• Justin’s journey: USAF → federal mapping roles → serial entrepreneurship → doctorate and new venture
• Why standards & interoperability should be your first investment to improve data integrity
• Geo IQ — a simple, actionable maturity lens for measuring organisational geospatial capability
• Entrepreneurship lessons from the field: “Do things people can’t do or don’t want to do.”
• The human side of mapping — curiosity, craft, and how diving became a mirror for Justin’s work

Who should listen: practitioners building geospatialcapacity, data managers wrestling with messy datasets, geospatial entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about where Geo-AI meets real-world practice.

Tune in and discover how better standards, a practical maturity lens, and smart AI augmentation can turn messy geospatial data into decisions that matter.

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In this episode of Mapping the Conversations, hostDr. Valrie Grant sits down with Ron Chapple, VP of Global Strategic Solutions at NV5, to explore the evolving world of digital twins, geospatial intelligence, and visual storytelling.

Ron brings a rare blend of Emmy-winning visual storytellingand cutting-edge geospatial innovation. From capturing breathtaking aerial cinematography for National Geographic and the BBC to pioneering remote sensing innovations for Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, Ron’s journey is one ofcuriosity, creativity, and cutting-edge technology.

They dive into:

• Ron’s fascinating transition from photography to LiDAR and geospatial innovation
• What truly makes a digital twin (hint: it’s more than just a pretty 3D map!)
• The power of immersive visuals in environmental storytelling and stewardship
• A behind-the-scenes look at a volcanic digital twin model on Hawaii’s Kilauea, combining LiDAR, live earthquake feeds, and Esri dashboards
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in geospatial tech
• Why geospatial is the fabric of all business, and how we must build more inclusive, forward-looking talent pipelines

The conversation wraps with Ron’s reflections on the creative and technical challenges of building models at scale and why digital twins must be treated as living assets rather thanone-off projects. He emphasizes the need to break down silos, foster cross-sector collaboration, and bring fresh talent—from data scientists to filmmakers—into the evolving geospatial ecosystem.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, policymaker, or storyteller at heart—this episode will reshape how you think about place, pixels, and the planet.

Tune in and discover how Ron’s work brings scienceand art together to better understand and prepare for our rapidly changing world.

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In this eye-opening episode of Mapping the Conversations,host Dr. Valrie Grant sits down with Kevin Pomfret, a leading voice in geospatial law, policy, and ethics. Kevin, a partner at Williams Mullen and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, shares his fascinating journey from satellite imagery analyst to legal expert in the rapidly evolving geospatial field. Together, they explore the intersection of law, technology, and policy in an era where data is abundant and boundaries are constantly shifting.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Balance of Privacy and Innovation: Kevin unpacks the tension between public good and private risk,especially as location data and mapping technologies become ever more embeddedin daily life.
• AI and the Next Legal Battleground: How AI is challenging traditional legal norms and reshaping the geospatial sector. They discuss how emerging laws and court decisions willhave long-term impacts on geospatial applications and data use.
• Data Sovereignty & Governance: A deep dive into the growing trend of countries requiring data to remain within their borders—raising complex issues for global geospatialinitiatives and cross-border collaborations.
• Licensing & Liability Myths: Why data licensing isn’t just paperwork—it’s a manifestation of an organization’s entire business strategy. Kevin dispels common misconceptionsand explains how to navigate licensing complexities.
• Ethics & Responsibility: A candid discussion on why legal compliance is foundational to ethical practice in geospatial work, and how ethical conversations need to evolve alongside the diversity of the field.
• The Future of Geospatial Law: hear insights on the upcoming legal hurdles for geospatial professionals, from data governance to international regulation of Earth observation and national security concerns.
• Kevin’s Book & Future Projects: he shares the inspiration behind his book, Geospatial Law, Policy, and Ethics—designed as a critical resource for students and geospatialpractitioners—and hints at future projects, including potentially creating a “Geospatial Academy” to provide more structured learning on these pressing topics.

As Kevin notes, geospatial data was “big data before bigdata was cool.” In an era of digital twins, Earth observation, and AI, geospatial professionals must understand the complex legal landscape that governs their work. This conversation provides not just historical context buta crucial roadmap for navigating what’s next.

Tune in for an in-depth conversation that will leave you better equipped to ask the right questions—and to understand the profound role of law, policy and ethics in shaping how we map and manage the world around us.

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In this episode of Mapping the Conversations, hostDr. Valrie Grant welcomes Christy Monaco, Chief Operating Officer of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). With over 30 years of experience spanning the U.S. intelligence and geospatial community, Christy shares her journey from federal service to leading global geospatial standards for interoperability.

Together, they explore how open geospatial standards arehelping to tackle global challenges—from climate resilience to disaster response—and what’s next for OGC as it deepens engagement with underrepresented regions.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Christy’s inspiring career path from naval intelligence to COO of OGC
• Why open geospatial standards matter—and how they’re developed
• The power of collaboration in solving big challenges like climate change and smart cities
• What’s planned for the upcoming OGC Member Meeting in Mérida, Mexico
• New pathways for participation in the OGC

Key Quote:

“Let’s approach everything we do with an eye towardmaintaining trust in the information we produce. That’s how we safeguard the integrity of our field.”

Upcoming Event:
OGC 132nd Member Meeting & Innovation Summit
Mérida, Mexico | June 9–12, 2025
Theme: From Sea to Space – Join global experts in shaping the future of geospatial innovation.