Her Story
About Jennifer L.
Jennifer L. Pfister is a Senior Geographic Information Systems Analyst and Associate at Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT Technology Group) in Hunt Valley, Maryland, where she has spent the past three years building GIS-driven applications and dashboards for government agencies, airports, and infrastructure clients. With more than two decades in the field, her work spans indoor mapping systems, accessibility-focused wayfinding tools, and disaster recovery tracking for roads and bridges, reflecting a career built around translating complex spatial data into practical tools that decision-makers can act on. She holds a master's degree in geography and environmental planning from Towson University and a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and is recognized as a Certified Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP).
Jennifer's path into GIS was far from linear. She began her career with a foundation in biology and environmental science, later pursuing outdoor education and even earning a teaching certification from the College of Notre Dame before realizing the classroom wasn't the right fit. That detour eventually led her back to graduate school, where her studies in geography and environmental planning opened the door to GIS work through internships and academic center roles. Over the years, she has held positions across county government, private environmental consulting, and major engineering firms including Lockheed Martin and KCI Technologies, weathering layoffs during two economic downturns along the way. Rather than viewing those setbacks as failures, she credits her resilience and willingness to forgive herself and others as the qualities that repeatedly helped her rebuild and rediscover her professional niche.
Beyond her technical contributions, Jennifer has earned recognition for her role on a project team honored by the creators of the GIS software she uses, tied to an accessibility-focused wayfinding application developed for individuals with disabilities, and she has been selected for inclusion in Influential Women (Hunt Valley, Maryland) for 2026. She is an active member of MSGIC, URISA, and the Society for Conservation GIS. Guided by empathy and a strong sense of environmental and social responsibility, she approaches her work — and mentorship of those entering the field — with an emphasis on caution around data privacy in the age of AI, along with a steady commitment to hard work, curiosity, and finding purpose in the career one chooses.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer L.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the ability to forgive others as well as myself, since none of us are perfect every single day. Resilience has also carried me through — I've been laid off twice during economic downturns, but each time I chose to focus on the bigger picture, keep moving forward, and find my niche.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to work hard and find a career you truly love. When you're passionate about what you do, that dedication carries you through the harder moments and keeps you moving forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering this field to embrace new technologies and keep learning, but to be mindful and cautious about what information — especially client data and personally identifiable information — they share with AI tools. I'd also emphasize building strong practical skills, maintaining a solid work ethic even as tools make tasks easier, and actively seeking out mentorship and hands-on experience.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI is both a challenge and an opportunity in my field. On one hand, it can help write programs and deliver work much more quickly. On the other hand, it's a bit unsettling because it continues to learn and could potentially take over certain jobs. I also have to be very careful with client information and data security, as well as considerations around firm competitiveness and liability.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I try to remain non-judgmental in everything I do. Caring for humanity, animal species, and the environment matters deeply to me, as does hearing all sides of a situation and approaching people with empathy and sympathy.
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