Prashant Shukle has provided visionary leadership for the Canadian government and the Canadian private sector in geospatial data and technology leadership, the policy applications and implications of these data and technologies, and in the use of data standards to achieve global scale data interoperability. For these latter efforts, Mr. Shukle was recognized with a lifetime achievement award by the Open Geospatial Consortium, a global consortium of over 500 of the world’s leading spatial and big data companies and organizations.

In his capacity as the Director-General, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Mr. Shukle implemented a comprehensive transformation that integrated and modernized Canada’s national mapping and earth observation agency. He led and delivered on time and ahead of budget, the revitalization of the Government of Canada’s commercial satellite ground station reception facilities, implementation of Canada’s federal geospatial platform, and national efforts to support new approaches to flood mapping in Canada. Throughout his decade long leadership of the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Canada returned and remained in the top ten geospatially ready nations as identified in the annual Global Geospatial Outlook.

He has also worked on some of Canada’s most significant social and economic policy initiatives over the past 30 years, which sharpened his understanding on the linkages between innovation, productivity, income inequality, and on their impact on democratic institutions.

Currently, Mr. Shukle is President of the Global Geospatial Group, a consultancy specializing on next generation data, earth observation, standards, and technology initiatives. His primary interest lies in the intersection of these technologies with democratic institutions and the well-being of citizens.