WiGIS Career Advancement Panel Discussion

'There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.' - Kofi Annan

GIS Day is November 13th, this year, and we're kicking it off in style! Join Philly Women in GIS for a panel discussion on career advancement. We all have questions about how to advance into leadership positions, ask for that raise, or get a promotion. Let's come together and learn how to make the most of our careers in GIS!

The event will begin at 5:30 for networking with the panel beginning at 6 PM. Light networking will follow.

We will feature the following five panelists:

Bonnie Bogle, Cesium: Bonnie has deep experience with startups and the geospatial industry. She helped start Mapbox and ran operations for the company’s first seven years, growing it to 200+ people and over 60M+ in venture financing during that period. Before that, she built out operations for Development Seed, and she continues to serve on its board of directors. Bonnie also helped start GeoDC, a monthly meetup group going strong for 10 years, and has organized more conferences than she can count (including three OpenStreetMap conferences, one FOSS4G NA, and the inaugural FedGeo Day).

Fran Curtis, Apex Companies, LLC: Fran is a Program Manager with Apex Companies, LLC and is responsible for designing, building and implementing Apex’s GIS, data management and technology applications, highlighted by web and mobile applications allowing clients to have project, site information and metrics at their fingertips. Ms. Curtis is responsible for Apex’s enterprise wide application (ARTEMISSM) for comprehensive documentation, tracking, and reporting of environmental compliance related assets through mobile data collection and a custom web interface. With over 17 years of experience in the GIS, and Information Management industry. She has extensive knowledge of GIS practices and principles and how to apply them to the variety of project scopes and objectives.

Lauri Dafner, Esri: Lauri is a Team Lead for Solution Engineers on the Esri State and Local Government team. She has been a Solution Engineer at Esri since 2012 and is focused on helping state and local governments solve problems and make better decisions using GIS. Lauri attended Penn State University where she majored in Human Geography and minored in GIS and Environmental Studies.

Marlen Kokaz-Roy, Chester County: Marlen has more than 22 years of public, private, government and academic sector GIS, data management, and planning experience. Throughout her career she managed technical work including enterprise-wide data management and QA, application development tasks as they relate to GIS and technology. She started her career as a Transportation Planner at the MPO and then spend majority of her career as a consultant in the private industry consulting on GIS, planning and transportation. She spent 7 years at UPenn as the GIS Director and her last position before she joined Chester County as their GIS Architect was the practice lead for the Data Analyst group at Weston Solutions. Mrs. Kokaz-Roy holds a BA in Architecture, a master’s in planning from Cornell, an Engineering Management MS from Kansas University and post baccalaureate certifications form UPenn Wharton School on Marketing and Communications.

Mary Lennon, Fannie Mae: Mary has 8 years of experience in industry ranging from Environmental and Cultural Resource Management with AECOM, to Online Retail with Shop Direct, and now the mortgage industry with Fannie Mae. The common thread in her employment has been the power of spatial data - whether it's collecting it in the field or identifying unrealized value from available data. She hopes to share how GIS skills are transferable and marketable across industries.

Let us know if you have any questions by emailing Julia Wolanski or by commenting below. There will be time for audience questions during the panel, so come prepared with your inquiries.