Meet: Nathalie Morin

Nathalie Morin is a French remote sensing engineer specialized in forestry and has over 15 years of international experience in project management for GIS and remote sensing applications. Nathalie joined GeoVille in 2022 and is highly focused on accountability, results and collaborative team work, making sure that the projects she works on deliver tangible benefits. On her free time, Nathalie enjoys hiking in the mountains, practicing yoga to relax her mind and body and playing traditional Celtic music on her fiddle.

1. What inspired you to join the company in the first place?

GeoVille and CLS, my previous employer, have been long-time successful partners in Copernicus projects for the European Environment Agency.

I stumbled by accident or synchronicity over a job opportunity for a full-time position at GeoVille as a Copernicus / Climate Change project manager, that matched exactly my career aspirations at that time. After 15 years of experience as a senior engineer in remote sensing and GIS specialized in the forestry sector, I aspire more towards management functions, as a natural and logical evolution in my professional life cycle.

2. What is your role in the company, and how do you contribute to the team's success?

I am proud to be part of Copernicus Department, one of the “racehorses” of GeoVille, where I began as a project manager kicking off the GHG-KIT  https://ghg-kit.at/ and BREATHE https://breathe-project.eu/climate research projects co-funded by The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft = FFG). I contribute to the strategic business objectives of GeoVille in the field of climate change mitigation and greenhouse gas reporting.

I think my main assets include both a strong technical background in remote sensing and a passion for the projects I am leading. May aim is to be able to share this enthusiasm and engagement with all stakeholders to create a positive project collaborative team environment. And I believe that inspiring a shared vision is one of the most important leadership skills for a project manager, who should act as “someone who “lifts us up, gives us a reason for being, gives the vision and spirit to change […] and enable people to feel they have a real stake in the project.” ©

3. What do you find most rewarding about your job, and why?

As just mentioned, the most rewarding thing about my job is when I realize that I can have an impact on creating a positive collaborative environment where all internal and external stakeholders at hand feel valued and working towards a common goal that is useful for our planet. Climate change mitigation, including the preservation of forest carbon sinks, stands out as one of the most burning issues of our time. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to add a stone in the edifice through my knowledge of Earth Observation (EO) monitoring tools.

4. How has your role evolved since you first joined the company, and what new skills have you developed?

I have been hired only 9 months ago (LoL)! I am impressed by GeoVille’s robust project management tools, detailed QA/QC and risk management procedures. I am also about to achieve a Project Management Life Cycle course from the Rochester Institute of Technology (NY, USA) from which I gained real benefits and insights for my daily project management tasks.

5. What do you think sets this company apart from its competitors?

GeoVille is a Small and Medium size Enterprise which focuses on high-tech innovative, cutting-edge methods with highly qualified staff in all of its Business Departments as well as its cross-functional technical and commercial Units.

I would say the vision inspired by our CEO and founder of GeoVille, Christian Hoffmann, offers a warm and friendly collaborative working atmosphere, mindful of the well-being of its staff members gathered in one efficient location, right at the heart of Innsbruck’s City Center. This, I believe, is one of the keys to the success of GeoVille, now ranked among the top EO service providers in Europe for the Copernicus program.

6. How do you stay motivated and engaged in your work, especially during challenging times?

One of my tricks to counter the challenges I face is simply by walking in the outstanding Alpine Tyrolean mountain forests in the surroundings and stepping back on high peaks. As a Parisian-born, I need to feel the connection with Trees and not only from Space.

7. What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining this company?

GO FOR IT!