#Geoawesome100 · 2027 Edition
Meet the Expert Panel for the Global Top 100 Geospatial Companies 2027
The experts who will review the community shortlist and decide the final #Geoawesome100 list for 2027.
The experts are back
We are excited to introduce the first eight members of the expert panel that will review the Global Top 100 Geospatial Companies 2027. The panel brings together experts from industry, academia, research, and the public sector from around the world.
Last year we tried something new. For the 2026 edition, we handed the process entirely to the geospatial community, and more than 125 professionals signed up to help decide which organizations should be recognized. It showed us how much the community cares about this list, and it gave us valuable insight into which companies practitioners see as pushing the industry forward.
It also confirmed something we have long believed: the list is strongest when broad community insight is combined with deep, independent expert review. That is why the 2027 edition uses a community + expert hybrid model. The community helps surface candidates and shape a strong, diverse shortlist. Our expert panel then evaluates that shortlist and casts the final votes.
Meet the 2027 panel
Here are the first panelists confirmed for 2027, listed alphabetically by last name. We will add more experts in the coming weeks, so check back for updates.
Annekatrien Debien
Partner, Earth Observation & PNT
Novaspace · Belgium
Annekatrien Debien is a Partner at Novaspace, where she leads Earth Observation (EO) and Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) activities. She has over 15 years of experience across Europe’s EO industry and institutions, with a background in bioscience engineering, a master’s in Earth Observation and an Executive MBA focused on entrepreneurship.
She is passionate about helping people put space applications to practical use, and understanding how geospatial data can improve business processes and make everyday life easier and safer. Her experience ranges from creating training materials for developers and entrepreneurs and helping end users explore the benefits of EO, to developing SAR-based services for maritime surveillance, sea ice monitoring and deforestation monitoring.
Sives Govender
Head, Spatial Information Systems Group
CSIR · South Africa
Sives Govender is a geospatial scientist and research leader who heads the Spatial Information Systems group at the CSIR, South Africa. With extensive experience spanning geospatial science, GIS, Earth observation, and spatial data infrastructure, he has led major African and international initiatives that use geospatial information to support sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and evidence-based policy.
He has played key leadership roles in the African Union’s GMES & Africa programme, South Africa’s OCIMS initiative, and EIS-Africa, while coordinating the influential AfricaGIS Conference. Sives is widely recognised for advancing geospatial innovation, partnerships, and capacity development across Africa.
Dr. Agnieszka Łukaszczyk
Founder & CEO
hiALtitude Consulting
Dr. Agnieszka Łukaszczyk is a senior space industry executive and internationally recognized expert in space policy, government affairs, and space security. She is the Founder and CEO of hiALtitude Consulting, advising governments, international organizations, and commercial space actors on regulatory strategy, geopolitical risk, and institutional engagement.
She serves as Head of Institutional Relations for the International Astronautical Congress 2027 (IAC2027) in Poznań, leading high-level stakeholder engagement for one of the world’s premier space gatherings. She is also a Senior Advisor at Andart Global and Renaissance Strategic Advisors, providing strategic counsel at the intersection of space, security, and international policy.
Previously, Dr. Łukaszczyk was Vice President for Government Affairs, EMEA at Planet, where she led policy and government engagement across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She held multiple roles at the European Commission focused on space policy, space security, and Earth observation. She also served as Brussels Office Director for the Secure World Foundation, was a Research Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute and the Chair and Executive Director at Space Generation Advisory Council.
She holds a PhD in Space Security from the Polish Defence Academy, along with advanced degrees in Management of Space in New Economies and International Politics. Her executive education includes studies at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Warsaw School of Economics and the American University.
Paloma Merodio
Assistant Vice President, Data Analysis & Intelligence
AT&T Mexico · Mexico
Paloma Merodio is Assistant Vice President of Data Analysis & Intelligence at AT&T Mexico. She is an economist and data leader with more than 19 years of experience driving innovation across data analytics, digital transformation, business intelligence, geospatial information management, public policy evaluation, and the use of data to advance sustainable development.
Before joining AT&T Mexico, Paloma held senior leadership roles in Mexico’s national statistical system, including Vice President of INEGI, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. She also served as Global Co-Chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, where she contributed to strengthening the role of geospatial data in decision-making at the global level.
Her career spans the private and public sector, multilateral organizations, and international development. She has led the monitoring and evaluation of social programs at Sedesol and the Mexican Social Security Institute, and has worked as a consultant on projects for the World Bank, IFC, and other international organizations.
Paloma holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with special honors from ITAM, a Master in Public Administration in International Development from Harvard Kennedy School, and a PhD in Economics with honorable mention from UNAM. Her career has been recognized with the Geospatial World Leadership Award as “Geospatial Ambassador” at the Geospatial World Forum 2025 in Madrid.
Surv. Jones Ofori-Boadu
Project Director, Strategic Land Administration Reform Project (SLARP)
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources · Ghana
Surv. Jones Ofori-Boadu is currently the Project Director for the Strategic Land Administration Reform Project (SLARP) under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana.
He holds a BSc in Geomatic Engineering, an MSc in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and an MBA in Project Management. He is a Fellow of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and a member of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG).
Justyna Redelkiewicz
Founder
GoCosmic & 3 Hazel Tree Partners
Justyna Redelkiewicz is the founder of GoCosmic and 3 Hazel Tree Partners, boutique firms delivering strategic advisory across space, AI, and cybersecurity. At the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, she led the €1 billion CASSINI initiative, driving entrepreneurship and innovation across Europe’s space sector. A recognized pioneer in applying space technologies on Earth, she bridges cutting-edge innovation with real-world impact.
She is an active angel investor in space startups and works with Depo Ventures to advance private investment in next-generation technologies. Justyna collaborates with the AGH University of Science and Technology and served as a visiting professor at the International Space University. She is also Head of Entrepreneurship at Women in Aerospace Europe, where she champions innovation and leadership in the space ecosystem.
Rohini Sampoornam Swaminathan
Statistics and Monitoring Manager, WASH, Climate and Environment
UNICEF
Rohini Sampoornam Swaminathan has nearly 15 years of experience in developing geospatial applications for humanitarian and developmental sectors. She currently serves as the Statistics and Monitoring Manager with the WASH, Climate and Environment data unit at UNICEF.
Her previous roles include Head of the Geospatial section at the UN World Food Programme and diverse geospatial roles with UNDP, WHO, UN Satellite Center, and NASA DEVELOP program. Her expertise includes leading geospatial emergency responses, climate risk analysis, exploring GeoAI solutions, national capacity strengthening and technical coordination. Rohini holds an MBA, an M.S. in Geomatics and a B.E. in Geoinformatics.
Dr. Fang Yuan
President
Earth Observation Australia · Australia
Dr. Fang Yuan is an Earth observation scientist, independent consultant and President of Earth Observation Australia. She provides scientific, technical and strategic advice, drawing on leadership experience across government, industry and international initiatives.
Fang has led multidisciplinary teams and the development of satellite-based environmental information services. She brings a practical perspective on how geospatial technologies translate into useful services and support better decisions.
More panelists coming soon
We will add more experts to the panel in the coming weeks. Check back here for updates.
How the 2027 list comes together
As in every edition, the list is not a ranking. All 100 companies will be published in alphabetical order, so each one is recognized equally. Panelists are not given rigid criteria. Each applies their own expertise and independent judgment. The companies that appear most consistently tend to combine technological excellence with clear, real-world impact.
Nominations are still open
Is there a company that deserves a spot on the 2027 list, whether an established leader or a startup making geospatial more accessible, useful, and trusted? Submit your nomination by Friday, 27 November 2026 so our panel can consider it.
Frequently asked questions
What does the expert panel do?
The panel reviews the community-informed shortlist and casts the final votes that decide which organizations make the Global Top 100 Geospatial Companies 2027.
How is the 2027 process different from 2026?
The 2026 edition was decided entirely by the community, with more than 125 professionals taking part. For 2027, we are moving to a community + expert hybrid model: the community helps surface and shortlist candidates, and the expert panel makes the final call.
Are there fixed selection criteria?
There is no single formula. Panelists apply their own expertise and independent judgment. Companies that appear consistently tend to combine technological excellence with clear, real-world impact.
Is the list a ranking?
No. As in every edition, the Top 100 will be published alphabetically to recognize all 100 companies equally.
Is the panel final?
Not yet. This is the first group of panelists, and we will add more experts in the coming weeks. This page will be updated as new panelists join.
Can my company still be nominated?
Yes. Nominations remain open until Friday, 27 November 2026.
Who can I contact with questions?
Reach out to Muthu Kumar at muthu@geoawesome.com.
A big thank you to every panelist for giving their time and expertise to the community. We can’t wait to share the results on Monday, 1 February 2027. Until then, follow along with #Geoawesome100.
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Azira has launched a conversational AI platform that allows destination marketers to analyze mobility and transaction data using natural language.
Azira One is initially available in beta for destination marketing organizations, tourism boards and travel brands. Azira plans to expand it into retail and quick-service restaurants later this year.
A marketer could ask which origin markets generated high-value visitors, how those visitors behaved at a destination and where advertising might increase off-season travel. The system then performs calculations and produces explanations and visualizations without requiring the user to operate a specialist analytics interface.
Azira says the platform draws on 13 trillion “consent-driven” location signals, supplemented by transaction data and proprietary models. That figure and the description of the signals are company claims; no independent audit was published with the launch.
According to the announcement, Azira intends to connect the system with audience creation, campaign activation and real-world measurement by the end of the fourth quarter.
That could shorten the workflow between identifying a market opportunity and launching a campaign. However, conversational location intelligence is already becoming competitive territory.
Foursquare introduced its FSQ Spatial Agent in February 2026. Placer.ai offers natural-language footfall and trade-area analysis and documents an MCP connection that allows external assistants to run analyses.
Azira’s lasting advantage is therefore unlikely to be the chat interface alone. Its stronger proposition is the promised connection between location analysis, audience building, advertising and attribution.
That integration also requires transparency. When one platform recommends an audience, delivers the campaign and measures its success, customers need to understand the definitions and assumptions behind every result.
Azira One should expose geographic boundaries, date ranges, filters, sample sizes and confidence thresholds. Users should be able to reproduce an analysis and distinguish an observed pattern from an AI-generated recommendation. Maps must not imply greater precision than the underlying mobile sample supports.
Privacy is equally important. Azira’s privacy policy prohibits uses involving sensitive locations such as medical facilities, religious organizations, schools, shelters and private residences. It also says the company does not allow law-enforcement use.
The regulatory environment is becoming stricter. Since August 1, 2026, registered data brokers operating in California must regularly process requests submitted through the state’s deletion platform, according to the California Privacy Protection Agency.
Azira reports that it stores mobile advertising identifiers and associated location data rather than direct identifiers. Its disclosures also show how difficult consumer control can be when an individual does not know the device identifier a broker uses.
Azira One represents a genuine shift toward agent-assisted location analysis, but the interface is no longer the moat. Its success will depend on whether it makes complex analysis faster without making the methodology invisible.
In a market built on sensitive behavioural data, the most credible agent will not simply provide the fastest answer. It will show how that answer was produced and why the underlying data should be trusted.
