Geospatial technology shapes our daily lives, influencing everything from precise navigation to advanced Earth observation analytics. Behind these transformative innovations are visionary leaders guiding the geospatial industry forward..

This Geoawesome.com exclusive profiles 15 of the most influential CEOs steering globally prominent geospatial enterprises in 2025. Their journeys, strategies, and contributions offer a valuable look at leadership within this high-tech and high-impact industry. Before we delve into their individual stories, let’s get a snapshot of these leaders and their organizations, highlighting their core focus and market presence.

Who Are They? Commonalities & Contrasts in Leadership

Our deep dive into the leadership of the geospatial industry reveals a fascinating mosaic of backgrounds and leadership philosophies. While there’s no single prototype for a top geospatial CEO, several distinct archetypes prominently emerge, showcasing the diverse pathways to influence in this dynamic field:

• The Visionary Founders & Innovators Leaders like Jack Dangermond (Esri) and Harold Goddijn (TomTom) didn’t just inherit companies; they fundamentally shaped the geospatial industry itself. Their leadership is characterized by a deep, long-term vision and an unwavering passion for the core technologies they pioneered.
• The Engineering & Technical Veterans CEOs such as Norbert Hanke (Hexagon), Mark Heine (Fugro), and Neil Churman (Woolpert) rose through the technical ranks, often with backgrounds directly in surveying, engineering, or GIS. Their strength lies in profound product understanding and a focus on incremental, data-driven innovation.
• The “NewSpace” Disruptors emerging from scientific or tech-startup environments, leaders like Will Marshall (Planet Labs) and Luis Sanz (CARTO) embody a different ethos. They champion agility, rapid deployment, and software-centric approaches, often challenging established norms in the satellite and location data industries.
• The Corporate Strategists & Scalers Leaders such as Robert G. Painter (Trimble), Dan Smoot (Maxar), and Josh Rogers (Precisely) often bring extensive experience from broader enterprise software or finance sectors. They excel at crafting robust strategies, optimizing operations, and scaling businesses in highly competitive global markets.

Ultimately, the common thread among these leaders is a shared commitment to harnessing the power of location intelligence. Whether from engineering, entrepreneurial, or strategic backgrounds, they are collectively driving the geospatial industry forward, transforming how we understand and interact with our world. Their diverse expertise ensures a robust and innovative future for spatial technologies.

Below, you will find a deep dive profile of each of the CEOs

CEO 1:
Norbert Hanke, Hexagon AB

Norbert Hanke’s journey to the helm of Hexagon ABspan style=”font-weight: 400;”> is marked by a deep-rooted tenure within the company. Joining in 2001, he steadily ascended through various critical financial and leadership positions, including CFO and President of the Manufacturing Intelligence division, before serving as Chief Operating Officer. His November 2024 appointment as Interim President and CEO wasn’t a surprise, but rather the logical next step for a veteran who knows Hexagon’s inner workings cold.

Now, as Hexagon’s interim chief, Hanke’s mission is clear: hyper-accelerate growth and seize every emerging market opportunity. His background in finance and operations signals a focus on disciplined financial performance and operational efficiency – the non-negotiables for a global technology powerhouse. But Hanke’s influence extends beyond the executive suite; he’s been a driving force behind Hexagon’s Ventures organization, overseeing its R&D and sales operations in India, proving his broad strategic reach within the company.

CEO 2:
Jack Dangermond, Esri

Jack Dangermond, alongside his wife Laura, co-founded Esri in 1969, fundamentally changing our interaction with geographic information. His extensive academic background in environmental and spatial disciplines, including degrees from Cal Poly, the University of Minnesota, and Harvard, shaped Esri’s initial focus on land use and environmental studies.

Dangermond is a pivotal figure in GIS technology, a pioneering entrepreneur who built a multi-billion-dollar software company while maintaining its private ownership. This reflects his dedication to Esri’s mission over immediate shareholder demands. His leadership prioritizes customers and innovation, and he is personally committed to advancing GIS for global environmental improvement and sustainability. He remains actively involved in projects and client relationships, ensuring Esri’s technology addresses real-world needs.

Beyond his corporate success, Dangermond is a notable author of “The Power of Where: A Geographic Approach to the World’s Greatest Challenges.” He and his wife are significant philanthropists, donating to environmental causes like The Nature Conservancy and providing Esri products and services to government and educational institutions. His contributions have been recognized with 14 honorary degrees and numerous accolades, including the Audubon Award, underscoring his profound influence on geography, environmental science, and planning.

CEO 3:
Robert G. Painter, Trimble Inc.

Robert G. Painter’s career at Trimble, which began in 2006, culminated in his appointment as President and CEO in January 2020. Before leading the company, he was instrumental in business development, overseeing acquisitions and corporate strategy. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Chief Financial Officer, managing global finance operations. His comprehensive understanding of Trimble’s business segments was further developed through earlier roles as General Manager of Construction Services and Vice President of Trimble Buildings. Painter holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from West Virginia University and an MBA from Harvard University.

Painter is credited with devising Trimble’s “Connect and Scale” strategy, which integrates cloud platforms and links physical and digital workflows to provide customers with unified data and actionable insights. He actively champions digital transformation in core industries, positioning Trimble as a vital partner for enhanced productivity and sustainability. His progression through corporate development and finance roles to CEO demonstrates his deep understanding of both financial performance and strategic growth in the technology sector.

CEO 4:
Dan Smoot, Maxar Technologies

Dan Smoot became CEO of Maxar Intelligence in November 2023, bringing with him over 30 years of management experience from leading software and IT companies like Salesforce, Cisco, and VMWare. Before Maxar, he was CEO of Riverbed Technology, where he transformed the company from a hardware to a software provider. Smoot is known for driving revenue growth, developing new markets, and improving commercial operations, with significant experience in delivering innovative technology for national security and government. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from UC Irvine, which aligns with Maxar’s mission.

Smoot is currently spearheading Maxar’s strategy to advance the geospatial intelligence industry. His leadership focuses on evolving Maxar to provide secure, software-enabled products that leverage geospatial data and technology for faster, more actionable customer insights. His background at major tech firms and his knack for problem-solving highlight a dynamic, results-driven leadership approach.

Beyond his corporate role, Smoot is involved in community initiatives, serving on the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Western Affiliate board and formerly as Chairman of the AHA’s Greater Bay Area chapter. His environmental science degree directly connects to Maxar’s work in monitoring global issues such as illegal mining, deforestation, and human trafficking, underscoring his personal commitment to the company’s broader societal impact.

CEO 5:
Mike Nefkens, HERE Technologies

Mike Nefkens became CEO of HERE Technologies in January 2024, bringing extensive experience in technology, IT, software, cloud services, IoT, and the automotive sector. His career includes leadership roles as CEO of Resideo Technologies (a Honeywell spin-off) and Executive Vice President and General Manager at DXC Technology and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Nefkens is known for successfully turning around global businesses in Europe, Latin America, and North America. He holds an MBA from Duke University and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Texas Christian University.

As CEO, Nefkens is responsible for HERE’s business operations, strategic direction, human capital, and customer ecosystem. His background in guiding organizational transformations and improving operational efficiencies is crucial to HERE’s mission in the evolving location intelligence sector. His leadership is key to expanding HERE’s capabilities in connected vehicles and smart mobility.

CEO 6:
Michael Schoellhorn, Airbus Defence and Space

Michael Schoellhorn has been the Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) since July 2021. His background spans aerospace engineering and military operations; he served as an officer and helicopter pilot in the German Air Force from 1984 to 1994. Prior to his current role, he was the Chief Operating Officer at BSH Home Appliances, where he focused on digital transformation and production efficiency. Schoellhorn holds a degree in mechanical engineering and a PhD in control engineering from Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg.

Since assuming leadership at Airbus DS, Schoellhorn has prioritized strengthening Europe’s defense and aerospace capabilities through strategic collaboration and technological advancement. Under his guidance, the company has explored significant European partnerships and mergers, including discussions with major aerospace and defense firms like Thales and Leonardo, with the goal of establishing a European satellite constellation. Schoellhorn has also actively promoted key European defense initiatives, such as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), emphasizing the critical role of European cooperation and technological autonomy in addressing global security challenges.

CEO 7:
Harold Goddijn, TomTom

Harold Goddijn, a co-founder of TomTom, has been the company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2001. His entrepreneurial career began in 1989 with the establishment of Psion Netherlands, where he also served as Managing Director of Psion Computers. Goddijn’s strong business acumen is rooted in his economics education from the University of Amsterdam.

Goddijn is credited with making satellite navigation accessible to the general public. A pivotal moment was the 2004 launch of the TomTom GO, an all-in-one navigation device that sold over 100 million units and revolutionized driving navigation. He successfully transitioned TomTom’s business model from consumer electronics to a leading provider of spatial data and location technologies for the automotive industry, anticipating the rise of smartphones. His leadership fosters collaboration and innovation, propelling the digital map revolution towards real-time, intelligent platforms for connected and autonomous vehicles.

In 2016, Harold Goddijn and his wife, Corinne Vigreux (also a TomTom co-founder), were knighted in the Royal Order of Orange-Nassau by the Dutch Royal Family for their significant societal contributions. Beyond his professional achievements, Goddijn is a passionate and competitive sailor, with his yacht “Lionheart” winning the prestigious J Class race world championship in 2017.

CEO 8:
Nicholas Cumins, Bentley Systems

Nicholas Cumins became the first non-Bentley family CEO of Bentley Systems in July 2024, a significant milestone in the company’s 40-year history. He joined Bentley Systems in 2020 as Chief Product Officer before its IPO, and by January 2022, he was serving as Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure as COO, the company saw consistent growth and operating margins.

Cumins brings extensive experience from his leadership roles at major software firms, including General Manager of SAP Marketing Cloud at SAP and Chief Product Officer for an online voting platform at Scytl. He also held a Senior Vice President of Product role at OpenX, a pioneer in programmatic advertising. Academically, he holds master’s degrees in law and business from Paris II Panthéon-Assas University. A dual French and U.S. citizen, his global perspective aligns well with Bentley’s international operations.

His leadership is characterized by a strong emphasis on infrastructure resilience, utilizing advanced technologies such as AI and digital twins to tackle critical industry challenges like the global engineering talent shortage and the demand for sustainable infrastructure. Cumins is a vocal proponent of open data standards, stressing the importance of seamless data flow throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to boost efficiency and collaboration. His vision for Bentley Systems under his leadership is to merge the company’s long-standing dedication to “family values” and long-term investment with the expanded capabilities and “firepower” of a publicly traded company, thereby accelerating innovation.

Cumins’ transition to CEO represents a new era for Bentley Systems, while preserving its core mission. His diverse background in software industries, combined with his strategic financial and operational oversight, positions him to propel the company’s continued growth and influence on global infrastructure.

CEO 9:
Mark Heine, Fugro

Mark Heine, CEO of Fugro since October 2018, exemplifies a career built on deep domain expertise and steady advancement within the company. Joining in 2000, he held various positions including geodesist, operational manager for survey projects, managing director for Africa, and director of the Survey division. His academic background, a master’s in Geodetic Engineering from Delft University of Technology and an MBA from London Business School, equipped him with both technical knowledge and strategic business insight.

Under Heine’s direction, Fugro is undergoing a significant strategic shift, moving away from its historical dependence on the oil and gas sector towards renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate change mitigation. This change is evident in the company’s rapid expansion into offshore wind, which now accounts for about 14% of revenue, up from almost negligible levels just a few years ago. Heine, an enthusiastic mountaineer, draws parallels between his hobby and his leadership approach. He applies lessons from ascending difficult peaks like El Capitan and summits in the Alps and Himalayas to his role, stressing the importance of acuity, risk management, and strong teamwork. He promotes a non-authoritarian leadership style, valuing the combined strength of a diverse and dynamic team.

In 2025, Heine is slated to receive the “Holland on the Hill Freddy Heineken Award” for his positive contributions to economic relations between the Netherlands and the United States. He also chairs the Dutch marine contractor association IRO. His professional journey and personal interests reflect a dedication to both business development and global sustainability.

CEO 10:
Josh Rogers, Precisely

Josh Rogers assumed the role of CEO at Precisely in 2016, following the company’s acquisition by Clearlake Capital. He began his journey within the company, then known as Syncsort, serving as President and previously as Vice President of Worldwide and Americas Sales. Prior to this, Rogers held leadership positions at prominent technology and financial institutions, including IBM, Endeca Technologies, and Bank of America Capital Investors. He holds a degree from Davidson College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, providing a strong academic foundation in both liberal arts and business strategy.

Under Rogers’ leadership, Precisely has achieved significant growth, with revenue doubling annually for four consecutive years. His strategic approach combines organic expansion with inorganic growth through acquisitions, consistently anticipating market trends and leveraging existing solutions to meet evolving customer needs. Rogers is a strong proponent of data integrity, especially in the age of AI and advanced analytics, believing that trusted data is fundamental for confident decision-making and improved business outcomes. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration and a data-driven approach, fostering continuous learning from both successes and challenges.

Beyond Precisely, Rogers also co-founded Alertify, a luxury short-term rental management company. This venture led him to innovate a compact sensory array unit for property monitoring, showcasing his practical problem-solving skills and drive for innovation. In recognition of his impactful leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, he was named an Entrepreneur of The Year® 2024 New England Award finalist by Ernst & Young. His diverse background, encompassing finance, M&A, and a liberal arts education, reflects a versatile and curious leadership approach well-suited to the complexities of the data industry.

CEO 11:
Will Marshall, Planet

Will Marshall, Co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board at Planet, transformed the company from a garage startup into a publicly traded enterprise with nearly 1,000 employees. Before Planet, he was a distinguished Scientist at NASA/USRA, contributing to space missions like the “LADEE” lunar orbiter and “LCROSS” lunar impactor, and co-leading PhoneSat. He also led research in space debris remediation. Marshall holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Oxford and a Master’s in Physics with Space Science and Technology from the University of Leicester, providing a strong scientific and technical foundation.

Marshall’s leadership at Planet is guided by a vision to accelerate humanity toward a more sustainable and secure world, a mission embedded in Planet’s Public Benefit Corporation charter. As CEO, he directs strategy, product development, and business, aiming to convert daily Earth imagery into actionable insights. His journey from scientist to entrepreneur demonstrates his ability to translate complex scientific and engineering challenges into scalable commercial solutions.

Beyond Planet, Marshall is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, highlighting his influence in technology and sustainability. He also serves on the board of the Open Lunar Foundation, contributing to space exploration. His NASA work on lunar missions and space debris underscores his dedication to using space technology for Earth’s benefit.

CEO 12:
Peter Sirota, Mapbox

Peter Sirota became CEO of Mapbox in March 2021, after serving as Senior Vice President of Engineering since 2018. He brings extensive experience from executive and leadership roles at major technology companies. Before Mapbox, Sirota was Senior Vice President of Engineering at Quantcast, contributing to a large automated advertising platform. He also held significant positions at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he founded and served as General Manager for Amazon Elastic MapReduce, a cloud big data platform, and previously managed engineering teams for the foundational AWS Platform. Sirota holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Northeastern University.

At Mapbox, Sirota’s leadership focuses on developing advanced search, map, navigation, and logistic services. He prioritizes scalable distributed systems and large-scale service operations, essential for a real-time location platform. His background in cloud and big data platforms enables him to drive innovation in the geospatial industry, allowing Mapbox to compete with larger companies by remaining focused and agile.

Sirota’s personal interest in location gaming also influenced his decision to join Mapbox, recognizing the map as crucial for engaging game experiences. This demonstrates his forward-thinking approach to integrating geospatial technology with various industries, including entertainment. His foundational work on the AWS platform highlights his deep technical expertise in building robust, scalable cloud infrastructure, which is highly relevant to Mapbox’s cloud-native mapping services.

CEO 13:
Luis Sanz, CARTO

Luis Sanz, CEO of CARTO, boasts over 15 years of experience in the B2B SaaS technology startup sector. Before his tenure at CARTO, Sanz co-founded Olapic, serving as both COO and CTO. He was pivotal in transforming Olapic from a startup into a leader in the Marketing Tech industry, collaborating with global brands like Adidas, Hyatt, Sephora, Calvin Klein, and Unilever. Sanz holds an MSEE in Telecommunications and Data Processing from the University of Zaragoza and an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School.

Sanz is recognized as an exceptional leader with a history of founding and rapidly expanding disruptive companies. Described as a “technologist turned growth CEO,” he strategically employs product innovation to drive business scaling. His vision for CARTO aims to bridge the traditional GIS data silo and boost organizational productivity by broadening access to Location Intelligence for diverse users, from data scientists to business analysts. This approach highlights his deep understanding of market needs and commitment to democratizing intricate spatial analytics.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sanz exhibits a rich and interdisciplinary intellectual curiosity. Although primarily focused on technology and business, he is characterized as a “humanist who coordinates technicians and managers,” with intellectual interests spanning literature, linguistics, philosophy, and history. Notably, he is also a novelist, a unique personal pursuit that underscores his creative and analytical ability to link diverse concepts. This fusion of technical expertise, business leadership, and extensive intellectual range distinguishes Sanz as a prominent figure in the geospatial industry.

CEO 14:
Martijn Blanken, Neo Space Group

Martijn Blanken, CEO of Neo Space Group (NSG), brings over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications and technology sectors to his role. Before joining NSG, he served as CEO of EXA Infrastructure, a digital infrastructure platform spanning Europe and North America. His career also includes significant leadership positions at Telstra, where he was Group Managing Director of Telstra Enterprise and was instrumental in transforming Telstra Global into a leading Asia-Pacific service provider. Earlier in his career, Blanken held executive roles at Openwave Systems and KPN Royal Dutch Telecom. He holds an MBA from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

Blanken’s leadership at NSG is marked by a successful history of fostering growth in complex international settings. His strategic direction for NSG centers on a comprehensive approach to advancing Saudi Arabia’s space sector. This includes pursuing acquisitions, forming strategic partnerships, and fostering organic growth in critical areas such as geospatial services, satellite communications, navigation, and the Internet of Things (IoT). A key element of his vision is developing Saudi Arabia’s workforce through university collaborations and local talent recruitment, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for economic diversification.

With extensive international experience, having lived and worked across Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas, Blanken brings a truly global perspective to his leadership. This global exposure is a significant asset for a company with worldwide aspirations in the space economy. His appointment by the Public Investment Fund underscores a strategic initiative to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and boost non-oil revenues by establishing a strong domestic space industry.

CEO 15:
Neil Churman, Woolpert

Neil Churman assumed the role of CEO at Woolpert in early 2024, succeeding Scott Cattran, who transitioned to Executive Chairman. His journey to this leadership position began in 2022 when he joined as the company’s inaugural Chief Corporate Development Officer. In this capacity, he was instrumental in identifying strategic firms and leading the execution and integration of acquisitions.

Churman brings extensive prior experience in strategic growth, investment banking, and consulting, specifically within the architecture, engineering, and geospatial industries, having worked at firms such as TRC Companies, 7 Mile Advisors, and Morrissey Goodale. He holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, providing a robust foundation in both business strategy and technical industry aspects.

As CEO, Churman is directly responsible for developing and executing Woolpert’s global growth strategy. This encompasses overseeing the company’s business sectors, operational execution, and continued mergers and acquisitions activity. He is deeply committed to reinforcing Woolpert’s workplace culture and ensuring it remains an excellent environment for its global workforce. His leadership style emphasizes fostering trust, maintaining a balanced approach to growth, and harnessing cutting-edge technologies like AI and lidar to tackle critical global challenges such as energy transition, climate and coastal resilience, and infrastructure modernization.

Churman has already made a substantial impact, having orchestrated five acquisitions that have added over 800 employees and significantly broadened Woolpert’s footprint across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. His philosophy underscores the importance of pursuing projects one genuinely cares about for success, even without formal acceptance, reflecting an entrepreneurial and proactive mindset. His background in civil and environmental engineering directly aligns with Woolpert’s core service offerings, affording him an inherent understanding of the company’s technical work and its broader implications.

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