In October 2011, Dawn J. Wright became Chief Scientist at Esri. In this role she helps to develop and grow the firm’s intellectual agenda for the environmental, conservation, climate, and ocean sciences. She also represents the firm to the national/international scientific community. Wright has substantial experience as a geographer and in GIS, having for a long time worked with international scientists who use GIS to map and analyze terrains, ecosystems and habitat. Some of her roles include: seafloor mapping, geospatial solutions for coastal mapping design and charting, advising organizations on oceanography and fisheries. In addition, she serves on the National Academy of Sciences Ocean Studies Board. Wright has worked with the GIS community to develop data models and create solutions for analyzing the ocean.