First things first…how did you get into GIS?

I started out studying engineering, actually. I was drawn to design, systems thinking and problem solving, but I quickly realized calculus and I weren’t a great fit. That led me to switch to Agricultural and Environmental Systems at North Carolina A&T, and that’s where I took my first GIS course. It just clicked. I realized GIS could be applied to so many different fields—environmental work, transportation, business—it was a game-changer for me.

What do you enjoy most about working in GIS today?

It’s the flexibility and creativity of it. There are often multiple ways to approach the same challenge, and I love that. You can/should have standards, but still bring your own perspective into how you solve a problem, and build out solutions. And there’s always something new to learn. GIS is evolving quickly, and I enjoy staying on top of that.

Is there a particular tool or platform you enjoy working with?

Definitely Survey123. It’s so useful for collecting field data and creating smart forms. I really like how you can add conditional logic to questions—it makes surveys a lot more intuitive for users. That kind of functionality makes a big difference when you’re doing engagement or working with complex data.

Before Stewart, you worked in-house with NCDOT. What kind of projects did you work on there?

I was a GIS Analyst for Division 8, and one of the things I enjoyed most was working with CAD data to showcase roadway improvements. We’d use GIS to visualize what those changes would look like on the ground, which helped with communication and planning across stakeholders and disciplines. That experience really sparked my interest in transportation-focused GIS work—and it’s something I’d love to keep doing more here at Stewart.

What’s it been like transitioning from in-house work to consulting?

It’s a different pace. In-house, especially at a large organization, things can move slower. As a consultant, you need to be more agile and figure out what each client is ready to adopt or change. But I’ve really appreciated the flexibility and the growth mindset at Stewart. It’s clear that the firm sees talent as an investment—they want you to build your skills and become an expert. That kind of support from leadership makes a difference.

I think it’s amazing that our CEO, Nick Ellis, genuinely understands the value of GIS. When leadership sees what GIS can do—not just for mapping, but for storytelling, engagement, and decision-making—it creates so many possibilities for growth and development.

And the GIS and Geomatics team here have already built a strong foundation. I just want to continue that momentum, help amplify it and keep showing the firm how GIS can add value.

What’s something people don’t always understand about GIS?

Honestly, how broad the use cases are. People still associate it mostly with maps or navigation, like “Oh, you do, like, Google Maps?” But GIS is so much more than that. It’s about connecting spatial data to real decisions—public health, urban planning, transportation, even marketing. It surprises me when I hear that certain organizations still aren’t using GIS, because it could really transform how they operate.

Has there been a GIS-related moment that’s stuck with you?

The Johns Hopkins COVID-19 dashboard is one that stands out. It was everywhere during the pandemic—and it really showed the public just how powerful GIS can be. But even small-scale applications, like internal dashboards or mapping tools, can have a big impact when done well.

Outside of GIS, what should we know about you?

I’m a new dad! My daughter just turned eight months. It’s been a journey, but it’s been incredible. I also really enjoy photography—especially events and portrait work—and I speak Spanish, which I’ve found helpful in unexpected ways. It’s a full plate, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If younger Khalil could see you now, what would he say?

“This isn’t what I expected—but it’s really cool. Keep going.”