Experienced Hexagon leaders advancing diversity and sustainability in the geospatial industry

Authors: Eva Carranza is Head of Sustainability at Hexagon, Adina Gillespie is Vice President Strategic Initiatives, Geospatial Content Solutions, at Hexagon's Geosystems division

Earlier this year, Hexagon’s Geosystems division announced that Eva Carranza, Head of Sustainability at Hexagon, will serve as WorldGeospatial Industry Council (WGIC) Patron and that Adina Gillespie, VP Strategic Initiatives for Geospatial Content Solutions at Hexagon’s Geosystems division, will join the association’s Advisory Council. Hexagon’s appointments of executives Carranza and Gillespie to the WGIC board reinforce the company’s dedication to promoting sustainability and enhancing diversity in the geospatial industry.

Congratulations on your appointments! Eva, you are serving as WGIC patron. What objectives will you prioritise?

Eva Carranza: As the Head of Sustainability at Hexagon, my priorities align with Hexagon's sustainability commitments. One key aspect is leveraging geospatial technologies to address global challenges such as climate change, resource management and nature conservation. By promoting the adoption and use of geospatial data and technologies, we can enable more informed decision-making and empower organisations and governments to take sustainable actions. I strongly believe geospatial data plays a crucial role to drive positive change for our planet and communities. We will work closely with WGIC's member companies and stakeholders to develop initiatives that support the implementation of national climate adaptation plans and natural resource management, providing insights into commercial resources and fostering collaboration among industry players to create innovative solutions.

Adina, the WGIC unites the geospatial industry and promotes collaboration in a way that leverages its members' efforts for maximum impact. How does that work in practice?

Adina Gillespie: That’s exactly right and something I find very rewarding. The WGIC serves as a platform that brings together small and large geospatial companies from around the world. By uniting these stakeholders, we pool our collective knowledge, expertise and resources to address common challenges. The WGIC also provides the industry platform for engaging with other associations and convening bodies from governments, NGOs and academia.

As an example of this collaborative effort in practice, the WGIC gathers groups of experts from its membership to develop and deliver industry and policy reports that are used by a broad spectrum of the geospatial sector. These reports are topical and deliver key information about geospatial technology (for example digital reality, emission monitoring, and resilient infrastructure), whilst proposing approaches to collaborative partnerships that deliver impact.

Given your extensive experience and career achievements, what unique perspectives and insights do you bring to the table as Hexagon representatives?

Eva Carranza: I have a background in ESG topics and contribute a thorough understanding of the intersection between sustainability, technology and business. I have developed and implemented sustainability strategies and witnessed the transformative power of geospatial data in driving sustainable practices within organisations; I also have an awareness of roadblocks and challenges. I am confident that the WGIC community will benefit from these insights and the best practices we have identified.

Adina Gillespie: As the VP Strategic Initiatives for Geospatial Content Solutions at Hexagon's Geosystems division, I bring a strong background in strategic planning, market analysis, and industry partnerships. My focus has been on identifying opportunities for growth and innovation in the geospatial sector. This experience enables me to contribute to the WGIC's efforts in identifying emerging trends, promoting collaboration and fostering the development of new geospatial solutions.

Do you think the appointment of two female experts to the associations’ governing bodies is a significant step toward promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry?

Eva Carranza: Representation matters. Including a range of experts with diverse backgrounds helps bring unique perspectives and insights to the forefront. Besides, by highlighting success stories and celebrating the accomplishments of women professionals, we can inspire future generations and encourage more women to pursue careers in this field.

How will you leverage your expertise and influence within the industry association to support the professional growth and advancement of women in the field?

Adina Gillespie: We advocate for the inclusion of diverse voices in decision making processes and ensure that different perspectives are represented and valued. This involves engaging with industry leaders and stakeholders to promote a culture of inclusivity and equal opportunity.

We also collaborate with industry associations and organisations to explore ways of addressing specific challenges faced by women in the geospatial field. We hope to see greater mentorship, skill-building, networking opportunities and supportive environments for career advancement. And within our own industrial partnerships, we encourage diverse representation when developing new ideas (and ideals) for the future of the geospatial community.

What are some notable initiatives or projects that have made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the geospatial sector?

Adina Gillespie: We are at an inflection point: Diversity, equity and inclusion is quickly becoming a hot topic as the face of the geospatial sector changes. There are dedicated DEI sessions at many geospatial conferences — with WGIC often spearheading these efforts. Big industry players like Hexagon and ESRI are building diversity, equity and social justice into their large user conferences. The WGIC itself has created an annual DEI Trailblazer Award to recognise industrial leadership efforts to foster diversity and inclusivity.

The lesser acknowledged initiative that delivers on diversity and inclusivity is senior leaders in the sector challenging themselves to mentor people that don’t look like them. I have benefited from these opportunities myself. We hope to see more of this as a new generation of geospatial leaders is emerging.

What message is Hexagon sending with its decision to appoint both of you, accomplished female leaders, to these significant roles?

Eva Carranza: Hexagon recognises accomplishments regardless of background. The appointments reflect a commitment to recognising individuals’ achievements and expertise. Meanwhile, Hexagon expands the perspectives and ideas that will be brought to the table and supports a broader understanding of the industry needs. This will enhance inclusion in the industry, help attract a diverse pool of talent and partners, and make it even more apt to solve society’s challenges.