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Jacinta Burns

from Stable Hand to Digital Innovation Lead
I improve experiences for customers, employees and business through technology
Industry
Geospatial
Company
Geospatial Council of Australia
Job Level
Senior

Ask me about

  • What I wanted to be when I was growing up
  • Working in a male-dominated industry
  • Changing career paths
  • Moving from the country to the city

About me

  • Regional Background

Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by how things work and where they fit in the world. This led me to study science at university, where I discovered Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is like a superpower for understanding the world. Imagine being able to see hidden patterns and connections just by looking at a map. GIS is key that unlocks a whole world of understanding. The possibilities are endless.

I’ve worked for state and local governments, utilities, and a software company. My work has been incredibly diverse— I’ve helped teams fight fires by mapping fire fronts in real-time, generated data to model floods, and designed software for underground asset protection. I am now working in an innovation role, giving me the opportunity to research and access new technologies, such as drones, to improve business efficiency.

About my role

  • Creative
  • Curious
  • Innovative
  • Passionate
  • Sociable

I enjoy finding new ways to improve business processes, employee and customer experiences. Working at the intersection of product development, management, and innovation, my day-to-day work involves investigating new technologies and finding creative solutions to help the company work more efficiently. This includes conducting research, building prototypes, and testing different solutions to find the best fit. I also guides colleagues through the problem-solving process using design thinking principles. I believe technology and data can unlock incredible potential and enjoys helping others discover that for themselves.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) Monash University
  • Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Subjects

  • Accounting
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physics
  • Science
  • Specialist Mathematics (Maths C)

Hobbies

  • Cooking
  • Gardening
  • Interior design
  • Reading
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Travel

Pets

  • 1 Dog

15 year old me!!

“Be open to unexpected opportunities. Build your skills. Don't be afraid of change. Take risks. Be curious. Be brave. Connect with people.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Moved to Melbourne to study science at Monash
  2. Got my first "real" GIS job
  3. Began leading people not projects
  4. Worked on software product management
  5. Working in the innovation space

My typical day

My employer

Through our SheMaps partnership we have been able to welcome GeoSpacial Advisors from various employers. What most of them have in common is their membership of Geospatial Council of Australia who are the peak body representing the interests of organisations and individuals, including new and emerging professionals working in the vast range of occupations for surveying, space and spatial in the digital world. Today’s geospatial professionals are leaders and innovators, advancing our industries with technologies using located based services, drones and autonomous vehicles, 3D modelling, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality and the Internet of Things.