What inspires you?

I am deeply inspired by people who lead with compassion and choose to see the best in others. When we take the time to truly listen, understand, and support one another, we build resilience, foster growth and creativity, and unlock the potential to make a meaningful and lasting difference. That belief shapes both my personal and professional life.

My family has been my greatest source of strength and perspective. For 35 years, my husband and I have built a life grounded in faith, perseverance, and love—raising five children and now celebrating the joy of two granddaughters. Along the way, we have faced profound loss and significant health challenges within our family. Those experiences have strengthened our resilience, deepened our gratitude, and reinforced our commitment to face each day with purpose, courage, and hope.

Professionally, I have always been inspired by people who have earned advanced degrees. Years ago, I had the privilege of teaching a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Public Policy course for several years. Over more than 35 years of working with college students and municipal leaders, I have been inspired to guide them as they navigate the evolving field of GIS and equip them with the skills needed to secure meaningful careers upon graduation. I have also worked with municipal leaders to help them understand and leverage data effectively, empowering them to make informed decisions that strengthen and improve their communities.

What makes a great leader?

When I reflect on what defines a truly exceptional leader, I am grateful to have had Dr. Jerome Lewis as an example for more than 30 years. He led with encouragement and optimism, allowed for a flexible work schedule, and had a remarkable ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. A thoughtful listener and deeply empathetic leader, he was guided by a genuine desire to improve the world around him. He consistently brought out the very best in his colleagues and in everyone fortunate enough to work with him. In the face of challenges, he responded with unwavering grace and professionalism, setting a standard that many of us continue to aspire to.

Tell us about a time you felt truly proud of your work. What did you accomplish?

Upon reflecting on the projects I have been involved in, I find it difficult to select just one to highlight. Instead, I will share the projects I am most proud of and outline the accomplishments achieved through each.

From 1995 to 2000, I had the privilege of collaborating with Mr. Sandy Schenck of the Delaware Geological Survey on the mapping publication “Bedrock Geology of the Piedmont of Delaware and Adjacent Pennsylvania.” It remains one of the most technically challenging and rewarding

cartographic projects of my career. The map received First Place for Best Cartographic Map at the 2000 Towson University GIS Conference.

In 2008, I received the Delaware Geographic Community Service Award from the Delaware GIS Community. This is one of the highest honors a GIS professional can receive in Delaware.

Since 2020, I have been working with the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy to map community food resources to better understand and address food insecurity across the state. This initiative began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when school closures left many students without reliable access to meals. What started as an urgent response has evolved into an ongoing, data-driven effort to identify service gaps, locate vulnerable populations, and improve access to resources. In addition to spatial analysis, we are collaborating closely with Delaware’s agricultural community to increase access to fresh, local, and nutritious food. It is an honor to serve on this committee and to work alongside dedicated partners committed to strengthening food systems and improving food equity throughout our state.

Lastly, the Delaware Planning for Local Adaptation Needs (DE-PLANs) initiative integrates aging in place with emergency preparedness to strengthen resilience among older adults. The project has been supported by funding from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Sea Grant, and the Sustainable Coastal Community Initiative.

The connection between aging in place and emergency preparedness became especially clear during COVID-19. DE-PLANs uses Delaware-specific data, mapping applications, U.S. Census data, and GIS to build state and local capacity and inform policy decisions. This coordinated, data-driven approach enhances preparedness efforts and strengthens support for Delaware’s aging population.

Tell us about your most difficult challenge and how you overcame it.

Throughout my career, I have come to understand that challenges are not obstacles to avoid, but opportunities for growth. Professionally, my greatest challenge has been keeping pace with the rapid evolution of the GIS industry. With Esri leading innovation worldwide, continuous learning has been essential.

As a hands-on learner, I have embraced practical experience as my most effective path to mastery. In 1991, while one course short of completing my associate’s degree, I accepted a part-time position as a graphic artist. When my employer received a grant to implement a GIS

system, I took the initiative to learn it—teaching myself step by step, line of code by line of code. Within a year, I was hired full-time after discovering both my passion and my professional direction. I received my GISP Certification, which is for GIS Professionals.

Since then, I have remained committed to lifelong learning and to advancing GIS education. GIS professionals across Delaware and beyond continue collaborating with K–12 educators to provide standards-aligned lessons that introduce students to the power of spatial thinking and data-driven problem-solving. We hold a GIS Day event every year for 5th-grade students at the Air Command Mobility Museum in Dover, where students visit many stations to learn how GIS is used throughout the state.

On a more personal note, the past five years have been the most challenging—and transformative—of my life. In 2021, after three surgeries, I had a severe allergic reaction to anesthesia. During that time, I lost 30 pounds and lived with intense pain when standing or walking. For a long time, no one could determine the cause; answers finally came in 2025 through genetic testing.

Healing did not happen all at once. It came gradually—one year, one step, one small victory at a time. Through it all, I discovered the depth of my husband’s and my family’s love. I learned to advocate fiercely for my own health and to persevere even on the hardest days. Not every day was good, but I chose to find something good every day—and that choice gave me hope and perspective on what matters most in life. We are here to make a difference, build connections, and help one another.

In my pulmonary doctor’s office, there is a sign that reads, “Inhale, exhale, take a deep breath, and be grateful.” Those words have become a daily reminder of resilience and perspective.

Today, I am deeply grateful for the work that inspired me to get up every day and keep going and for the strength I gained through adversity.

Nicole Minni is an Associate Policy Scientist (GIS/Graphics Specialist) for the University of Delaware, Institute for Public Administration, Water Resources Center. She has 34 years of experience using GIS across a wide range of projects, which has enabled her to engage with State and local governments and their citizens. Some of these projects are Delaware Transportation Improvement Districts, Delaware Watersheds, Comprehensive Planning, Delaware Food Resource Connection, and Delaware Planning for Local Adaptation Needs (DE-PLANs).

Ms. Minni became a Certified GIS Professional in 2009. She has been recognized for her work in digital cartography and spatial analysis. Ms. Minni has taken first place in the Professional Map Gallery category at the Towson University GIS Conference in 2009, 2006, 2005, and 2000, and in 2013, took second place for the most attractive map at Burlington County’s GIS Day event. In 2008, Nicole received the Delaware GIS Community Service Award. She serves on several committees in Delaware: the Delmarva GIS Conference Committee, the Delaware GeoEducation Subcommittee/DGDC, and the GIS Day Committee (Co-Chair).