Promoting diversity and inclusion in the geospatial industry with Albert H. Anoubon Momo

Valrie Grant interviews Albert H. Anoubon Momo, Vice President of Emerging Markets and Funded Projects at Trimble, about his journey in the geospatial industry and his involvement in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Albert discusses the lack of diversity in the industry and the pivotal moment when Trimble's CEO took a stance on DEI. He shares his role in promoting DEI within Trimble, his involvement with organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers and Cadasta, and his work with the World Geospatial Industry Council. Albert emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in shaping the future of geospatial technology and driving innovation. He also highlights the challenges the industry still faces and the need for intentional actions to recruit, retain, and promote diverse talent. Albert encourages collaboration across different sectors and stakeholder groups to create a more holistic and sustainable DEI initiative. He concludes by urging the industry to keep pushing for progress and for the leadership of geospatial companies to reflect the diversity of the countries they operate in.

About the guest

Albert H. Anoubon Momo is the vice president of Emerging Markets and Funded Projects at Trimble. He is also the Chair of the Board at Cadasta Foundation and the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee at the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC). Albert is a passionate advocate for DEI in the geospatial industry and has been actively involved in promoting diversity and inclusion both within Trimble and in the broader geospatial community.

Key takeaways

• Lack of diversity and representation in the geospatial industry is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed.
• Intentional efforts are required to recruit, retain, and promote diverse talent in the industry.
• Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging is crucial for fostering diversity and inclusion.
• Collaboration across different sectors and stakeholder groups can contribute to more holistic and sustainable DEI initiatives.
• The geospatial industry needs to learn from other sectors that have made progress in DEI, such as agriculture and land administration.

For more information on DEI in the geospatial industry, take a look at the WGIC Report on Leadership Diversity in the Geospatial Industry https://wgicouncil.org/leadership-diversity-in-geospatial-industry-a-wgic-perspective/ that Albert mentioned.