From Specialist to Generalist: The Evolution of GIS Careers
Wednesday, 19 Nov 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST | Microsoft Teams
From Specialist to Generalist: The Evolution of GIS Careers
The world revolves around location-based data. Commerce, communications, connections, all the apps on your smartphone, and your smartphone itself all rely on geospatial data. It is now essential across industries, creating new applications and job opportunities for anyone with geospatial skills.
This growth has made the role of a geospatial specialist increasingly obsolete.
Why? Because no one with a versatile geospatial skill set would be limited to a single specialized focus. That is why Esri has themed this year’s GIS Day as the “Geo-Generalist Era: Where Spatial Meets Everything.”
- Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
- Format: Webinar (Microsoft Teams)
In this live chat, we will explore:
- Why GIS careers are shifting from specialist roles to versatile, cross-disciplinary positions.
- How spatial thinking is being applied in industries beyond traditional mapping.
- Practical examples of geospatial skills driving innovation in business, infrastructure, and sustainability.
- Tips for building a future-ready GIS career in the “Geo-Generalist Era.”
Meet the presenters
Jon Downey
Commercial Geospatial Market Director - Woolpert
Jon Downey is Commercial Market Director for Geospatial at Woolpert, with over 25 years of experience in geospatial innovation and digital transformation. He leads the firm’s commercial strategy, advancing GIS, remote sensing, and cloud-based solutions for global clients.
Jeff Lovin
Government Solutions Market Director - Woolpert
Jeff Lovin is Senior Vice President and Government Solutions Market Director at Woolpert, with 30 years of experience advancing the firm’s geospatial capabilities and industry partnerships.
Ralph Coleman
Chief Commercial Officer - Bluesky, a Woolpert Company
Ralph Coleman is Chief Commercial Officer at Bluesky, a Woolpert Company, with 20 years of experience driving the company’s growth, innovation, and leadership in aerial imagery and geospatial data.
Jodie Gosselin
Director of Geospatial Technologies - Dawood, a Woolpert Company
Jodie Gosselin is Geospatial Technology Director at Dawood, a Woolpert Company, with 20 years of ArcGIS experience leading award-winning GIS solutions across the energy, utilities, and transportation sectors.
Paraic Quirke
Director, Head of Infrastructure and Natural Environment - Murphy Geospatial
Paraic Quirke is Director and Head of Infrastructure and Natural Environment at Murphy Geospatial, a Woolpert Company, with broad experience expanding geospatial consultancy and services across infrastructure and environmental sectors.
Aaron Morris
Innovation Principal - Woolpert
Dr. Aaron Morris is Innovation Principal at Woolpert, with over 25 years of experience in AI, Digital Twins, and geospatial technology. He leads AI strategy and implementation across Woolpert’s AEG programs, advancing innovation in digital and geospatial solutions.
Daniel Kruimel
Director of Sales, Geospatial - Woolpert
Daniel Kruimel is Director of Sales for Geospatial at Woolpert, with extensive experience across surveying, lidar, hydrography, and GIS. A Licensed Cadastral and Certified Hydrographic Surveyor, he leads client engagement and business development for the Geospatial sector.