Candidate for Board
Karen Stewart, GISP

Statement to the Membership:

I am honored to be considered as a candidate for the URISA Board of Directors. During the formative years of my career, and to this day, I have looked up to the URISA board members, considering them to be knowledgeable, hardworking, dedicated, self-sacrificing and inspiring. These are all qualities I can only hope to bring to URISA. It takes great leadership to run such an important organization for our growing profession. It would be an honor to have a part in shaping our future in GIS and URISA.

The Geomatics industry has the ability to change the world. We wouldn’t be where we are today in this profession if it weren’t for the dedicated people who have led the way. I have always believed that industry professionals need a strong association to call ‘home’. During my career this is what I found URISA to be. We are pioneers to the younger generation as well as to organizations new to GIS. Being involved in URISA gave me the opportunity to network, enhance my skills and abilities and then provide that knowledge to others through URISA committees as well as via opportunities to present at various events.

The board of URISA is instrumental in shaping this organization and profession by working together with all chapters, listening to its members, focusing on improving communications, business processes and liaison with all chapter executives.

I am a big advocate of the GISP and mentorship programs as well as outreach to students and new users of GIS. I plan on listening to the membership through means available to me, such as the Chapter Relations Committee (CRC), to work with the rest of the board members to support your needs.

During the past several years I have built and developed successful teams and programs for various organizations. I am passionate about my work and have proven marketing and public speaking abilities. After successfully leading the development of innovative corporate and enterprise GIS programs for the City of Surrey and the Township of Langley I have been able to use my knowledge, skills and abilities to help other organizations do the same. Under my leadership the profile of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) in British Columbia improved. Regular seminar attendance and revenues improved significantly and in 2005 URISA BC was awarded Chapter of the year by the International Association.

URISA has brought many professionals together in the past for future growth of this industry.