Plenary Panel: Open Data and Free Software for Natural Resources and Hazards
We are thrilled to announce our plenary panel on open data, free and open source software, and related initiatives in government and the public sector at this year’s FOSS4G NA. The panel features experts from government, consulting, not-for-profits, and private companies with focuses on natural resources, climate change, and natural hazards.
Climate change and natural hazard exposure are growing risks to our communities. Stewardship of open software and data ecosystems is critical to manage these issues. This panel will explore programmatic approaches to sustain these systems and deliver public digital goods that address community needs. The moderator and panelists all work on open and actionable data, software, and standards, with experience ranging across the country and including business, non-profit, and government.
Moderator: Catherine Oldershaw, Director, Commercial & Non-profit Unit at Element84
Greg Gearheart, Deputy Director at Office of Information Management and Analysis (OIMA), California State Water Resources Control Board
Anna Holder, Open Data Science, Equity & Tribal Coordinator at OIMA, California State Water Resources Control Board
Nick Ingalls, Senior Geospatial Engineer at Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting
Owen Doherty, Principal Investigator for Cal-Adapt at Eagle Rock Analytics
Robyn Grimm, Executive Director at California Water Data Consortium
This expert panel provides insights derived from building numerous open source software platforms and data portals, including related equity, governance, and training initiatives. With the panel composed of people from the entire project stack, including executives, directors, scientists, and developers, the conversation will have something for all attendees of FOSS4G NA 2026.
Get your early bird tickets now! Today is the last day before ticket prices increase.