SDI Employee Spotlight – Katie Atkinson

Meet Katie Atkinson, SDI’s GIS Project Manager, who’s passionate about making data meaningful. Katie describes herself as a “geek to human translator,” bridging complex GIS technology with real-world applications that save time, money, and lives. Beyond her knack for problem-solving, she’s a lifelong learner with an incredible range of skills—from teaching skiing and historical fencing to mastering herbology and languages!

Can you share a bit about your role as a GIS Project Manager and what you enjoy most about it?

I enjoy helping people make sense of their data. Because GIS includes hardware, software, security, and data—developing quality products requires planning. SDI offers IT-GIS services that are essential for every business. SDI allows me to help share the benefits of a functional GIS with more organizations. We help them get started, catch up, and even train their staff. I enjoy knowing we empower our clients with better solutions.

SDI Presence supports nationwide customers. (The image was built using GIS technology).

How do you approach problem-solving in GIS projects with complex data needs?

GIS is the tool that upgrades data science to 4D by adding space and time components. It provides the ability to bring a variety of data sources into one venue for analysis. GIS is the connection that links other datasets together and makes that data worthwhile. Because many businesses, cities, counties, and states have data but still need to take advantage of the GIS potential, SDI Presence provides a unique step up. I will provide those solutions if a business has not included GIS in its technology strategic plans and roadmaps.

What skills do you believe are essential for a successful career in GIS?

I love problem-solving and puzzles. This is essential for a career in GIS. The technology field is constantly evolving and expanding. To be good at GIS, a curious mind that enjoys learning new things will help create a successful career. GIS is unique in the technology field, as it applies the art of cartography to the science of data analysis. Being able to create beautiful websites, story maps, and dashboards of essential information while keeping the servers secure, the data clean, and the staff trained.

What’s the most rewarding part of managing GIS projects for SDI?

You are taking silos of data and turning it into helpful analysis with functionality. GIS saves time, money, and lives. When you can see where the crimes, accidents, endangered animals are, then you can put the needed resources to create solutions. These solutions are only evident with that bigger picture. SDI Presence allows me to be a geek to human translator.

What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing a career in GIS?

GIS is a growing field that touches every industry. Everyone should explore how GIS can benefit their career goals.

Outside of work, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I have three amazing kids. I love to play with them and learn new things. I have taken some courses in which I speak ASL, Spanish, and even a few other languages. I am a licensed massage therapist and have studied herbology and nutrition. I love animals and growing plants. My wonderful German shepherd is my shadow.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

When I was young, I taught skiing, so I changed jobs every season. I have had 27 very different jobs. To name a few, I trained horses, drafted, and worked as a waitress, bookkeeper, and massage therapist. I also taught country dancing, shooting, and historical fencing. Before SDI, I was the GIS-IT Analyst for a county for 18 years.

Discover how GIS can transform your organization! From turning data into actionable insights to empowering better decision-making,contact us now to see how!

We celebrate diversity; the views expressed above are those of the interviewed individual, not SDI.