The mapping and geospatial industry, like many technological fields, has long been male dominated. However, women have consistently sought to carve out spaces for themselves and have played several important roles within the field.
Historical figures like Marie Tharp, who mapped the Atlantic Ocean floor, and Judith Tyner, who introduced the concept of persuasive cartography, remind us that women’s contributions to mapping have always been significant, even if underrecognized. These pioneers paved the way for modern efforts to ensure women are not only present but also acknowledged in the mapping industry.
For 2025’s International Women’s day, TN-ITS reached out to women in the mapping industry working on related initiatives and with data sharing visions like NAPCORE, to know what inspired them to pursue a career in the mapping industry and transport sector, and what steps can we take to encourage more women and girls to explore opportunities in this field.
Michelle Fransen, Relationship Manager and Security Officer at NDW, explained:
“About 20 years ago I came into contact with Geo Information Systems at Rijkswaterstaat when I switched jobs from a long IT-career at the Ministry of Defense. I immediately understood the importance and possibilities of location driven information. In this period there were few developments in the mobility sector except for navigation.
Fransen Transport, founded by my grandfather, was one of the few international transport companies in Rotterdam for Unilever and the importance of fast delivery of goods was taught to me from a young age.
So when a position became available at the National Road traffic Dataportal in 2020 to contribute to improving road data with the aim of making the future of mobility possible and more efficient, I felt enormously inspired to contribute in memory of my grandfather. The circle is complete!
I encourage and support women to make a career in the information sector because I believe that correct and available data improves the position and health of women.”
Miho Ishii, Information Supply Specialist at Trafikverket, stated:
“Early in my career, GIS and digital mapping were growing and evolving rapidly. I had the opportunity to be part of something I felt was new, important, and innovative. It was very exciting and a strong motivation to feel that I was making an impact—both on the industry and in people’s everyday lives.
Throughout my career, I have worked in balanced teams where both men and women contribute equally. However, when it comes to external visibility, such as in industry meetings and other professional arenas, I don’t see this balance being reflected. The expertise is already there, so we need to encourage ourselves to take action to accelerate visibility.
I have met—and continue to work with—many sharp and skilled women. Their visibility is a great inspiration, both for us to keep going and for others to join the sector.”
Prisca Numbisi, Project Support Manager at ERTICO, shared:
“My inspiration to pursue a career in the mapping industry was particularly developed during my role working as a logistic manager and encountering several transport related challenges in facilitating the supply chain cycle. This made me think about how the system could be empowered to ensure clear communications on expected time of arrival (ETA) of goods and other related constraints. This only increased during my transportation science studies with thoughts on the positive impact accurate map data (specifically GIS and location referencing) could bring to mobility as a whole.
In order to encourage more women and girls to explore opportunities in this very broad and interesting field, several initiatives such as early exposure and education , introducing young girls to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), should be encouraged. Also, the enhancement of inclusive work environment that value diversity and provide equal gender opportunities for advancement, launching of awareness campaigns to increase visibility of the achievements of women in the sector, and also providing the needed mentorship programs where women professionals in the mapping and transport industry can provide valuable insights on their experiences, would help create a more encouraged and empowered environment for women in this career path.”
Finally, Rebeca Joaquín Graña, Global Partnerships Manager at Google Maps, pointed out:
“A key challenge is the limited number of women in ITS, reflecting broader gender imbalances in technical fields, although I believe that a shift in the right direction is already starting to happen. This lack of representation can lead to overlooked perspectives in system design and a feeling of isolation. To improve this, we must encourage early interest in technical fields among girls through engaging activities and with visible role models. And then, make sure when they do get into the industry, it’s actually a place they want to stay. We need to focus on creating environments where women have equal access to promotions, leadership roles, and their contributions are recognized fairly. Addressing both early education and workplace culture is crucial for a more balanced ITS sector.”
It is clear that as the mapping industry continues to evolve, the contributions of women are essential to its success. TN-ITS, as a multi-stakeholder platform, facilitates the exchange of authoritative road data between road authorities and data users, ensuring that digital maps remain accurate and up-to-date. The platform’s vision of providing fresh, accurate, and reliable data aligns with broader efforts to ensure that diverse voices are considered in shaping the future of mapping.