GPN Announces Newest Members of the Vanguard Cabinet of Young GIS Professionals

The Geospatial Professional Network (GPN) is pleased to announce the newest members of its Vanguard Cabinet. The Vanguard Cabinet (VC) is a GPN initiative (which debuted in 2011) to engage young GIS practitioners, increase their numbers in the organization, and better understand the concerns facing these future leaders of the GIS community. The VC is an advisory board who represent the young membership of the organization. The Cabinet’s mission is to collaborate with GPN's leadership in creating and promoting programs and policies of benefit to young professionals.

Comprised entirely of passionate young members selected from different geospatial disciplines, the Cabinet aims to position GPN as the center of opportunities for ambitious young professionals who are committed to improving the organization and the geospatial profession via innovation, collaboration, networking, and professional development. Each will serve a three-year term.

Meet the Cohort

Matt Hatami
Graduate Researcher | PhD Student
University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, Florida
"I’m honored to join the GPN Vanguard Cabinet for the 2025–2027 term. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with a passionate group of geospatial professionals, contribute to impactful initiatives, and support the next generation of GIS leaders. I’m especially looking forward to developing my own leadership skills while helping to create spaces for emerging professionals to grow, connect, and find their voice in the industry. Being part of the Vanguard Cabinet is a chance to give back to a community that continues to inspire and challenge me, and I’m grateful to be a part of it."

Jordan Landrum
Data Analyst
U.S. Peace Corps Response
Location: Kanifing, The Gambia
"I am grateful and honored to join the 2026-2028 Vanguard Cabinet cohort. Since first connecting with the Geospatial Professional Network, I’ve felt welcomed and supported, and I am eager to give back to this community that has already given me so much. As a lifelong geogeek who once drew maps for fun and now works at the intersection of GIS, disaster management, and international development, I am passionate about using geospatial tools to support people and communities. On the Cabinet, I look forward to contributing to GPN’s mission of empowering professionals to learn, grow, and find belonging by supporting the mentorship program, promoting inclusive pathways into the field, and helping shape a space where fellow young geospatial practitioners can connect their passions with meaningful impact."



Fiona Fox
GIS Analyst
Lightshift Energy
Location: Arlington, VA
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to join the Vanguard Cabinet and I am excited for what's to come! I first heard about the VC at GIS Pro last year and have been eager to become more involved in GPN since then. I look forward to connecting with others through and helping shape the next generation of GIS."



Sarah Brenneman
GIS Specialist
Cultivate Geospatial Solutions
Location: Noblesville, IN
"I'm incredibly honored to join GPN’s Vanguard Cabinet and be part of a community that encourages innovation, collaboration, and growth in the geospatial field. This opportunity allows me to connect with other passionate professionals, share my ideas and experiences, and contribute to exciting projects that encourage other young professionals in GIS. I look forward to learning from fellow members and making a meaningful impact through our work together!"



Topista Nafula Barasa, Ph.D.
GIS Analyst
City of Toledo, Ohio
Location: Toledo, Ohio
"I am deeply honored to serve as a member of the GPN Vanguard Cabinet. Joining GPN is part of my career goals of building professional and personal connections within the industry. I look forward to collaborating with young professionals and students through outreach, recognizing that students represent the next generation of professionals. GPN has afforded me a chance to develop professionally by serving in my local chapter, and now I have an opportunity to serve others outside my chapter. I am eager to contribute to the cabinet’s efforts in advancing GPN’s mission and vision to enhance the geospatial sector further, both in the United States and globally."



Carolina Szoepe
GIS Project Assistant
City of Aurora, IL
Location: Greater Chicago Area, IL
"I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to join such a dedicated and passionate team on the VC. I’m excited to contribute to the innovative work this cohort will address. As a member of the VC, I’ll be using my passion for GIS not only to inform but to inspire a continued interest in expanding our collective knowledge. I truly believe that a drive for ongoing learning, exploration, and collaboration within GIS is essential for success. I look forward to continuing to build and strengthen connections within this amazing community. Thank you and I look forward to what the next years bring!"



Cassie Sanford
GIS Specialist
University of Wisconsin - Madison’s Center for Health Disparities Research
Location: Madison, WI
"I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the 2026 cohort of the GPN’s Vanguard Cabinet. I first heard of the Vanguard Cabinet when I attended GIS-Pro 2024, and I knew I had to be a part of it. I am looking forward to working with my fellow cabinet members to create and provide educational and professional opportunities and to foster community for young and emerging professionals in the geospatial field. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute and give back to the geospatial community, which has been so welcoming to me, and make it welcoming for all future young professionals."


Matt Moy
Technical Sales Executive
Mistras
Location: Chicago, IL
"I am extremely honored and humbled to join the GPN Vanguard Cabinet! It is a privilege to have the opportunity to join a dedicated group to promote networking and collaboration within the GIS community. With the VC, I am excited to continue advancing the mentorship program for the next generation of young professionals and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!"