Karla Riso

Geographer

U.S. Census Bureau

Conference Co-Chair

Karla Riso is a seasoned Geographer with a rich background in spatial data management, project leadership, and cross-agency collaboration. Currently serving as a Team Lead at the U.S. Census Bureau, Karla excels in supervising teams, managing high-stakes projects, and driving strategic initiatives within the realm of geospatial data infrastructure. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts, a Professional Certificate in Project Management from Duke University, and specialized training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Karla brings a diverse skill set to her roles. Her dedication to advancing equity with data and her active involvement in key industry conferences showcase her dedication to shaping the future of geospatial technology. Prior to working for the U.S. Census Bureau, Karla served in the US Marine Corps and was an aeronautical charting specialist at the Federal Aviation Administration. In her free time, Karla enjoys working towards her Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 60 books this year and hiking around Baltimore with her three kids, partner Jared, and dog Rainy.