Inform solutions that strengthen states as a
CSG Associate
Every state leader needs to know about geospatial technology. Recognizing this need, Esri joined the CSG Leadership Circle in 2012 to position itself to better inform the states. In general, Esri doesn’t advocate for state policy issues, so our work with CSG and its members, starts from a different perspective. We see CSG as a professional leadership organization — a place where policy and thought leadership is gathered, developed, collected and disseminated.
In Government, Location is Never an Afterthought
Esri was founded in 1969, and state governments were our first and longest users. That is because the challenges states face are spatial problems. My work with CSG has always focused on collecting policy themes and research worked on by both members and staff, then bringing those insights back to Esri, ingesting them into tools, solutions and, most importantly, our thought leadership.
My goals have always been threefold:
- First, we are a software company making a very particular kind of tool, one that integrates everything. In simple terms, everything occurs somewhere, and understanding the geography of a topic facilitates understanding. Location allows data from disparate sources to be aligned, compared and analyzed. Esri’s geographic information systems (GIS) provide the tools to do just that.
The users of these tools, our user base, are typically technical resources and researchers, so my first goal is to identify the topics and gather the stories that help them understand the topics important to state policymakers. We then transform the data states generate and gather — the “raw materials of government” — into the knowledge that drives policy. - Second, it is my job to tell stories about how GIS technology is used to help develop, drive and measure the policies that run our state and local governments.
- Lastly, I work to connect GIS practitioners and researchers with the legislators whom I met through the work of CSG. Policymakers, like those who attend CSG events, rarely get to see the data required to shape their policies, evaluate the programs those policies create, or monitor the resulting operational activities.
Applying GIS to State Policy Priorities
Esri believes that our work thrives when the ecosystems of government — the legislative branch, executive branch, nonprofits, academia and business — solve pressing issues together. As a Leadership Circle member, Esri has been able to work with CSG to provide best practices and, in particular, showcase to policymakers how GIS can be used to understand community demographics, policy decisions and real-time conditions within a community.
For example, in October, Esri hosted its second CSG policy academy, the 2025 CSG Public Health Policy Academy: Mental Health Across the Nation. Mental health can be a complex and challenging topic for governments to address, with many saying, “There is little to no data available on mental health.” But, with GIS, datasets can be analyzed in a geographic context to expose patterns and bring together disciplines that have never before shared data. GIS can help states understand the conditions shaping health demographics, including environmental and physical conditions, access to services, and areas where support is needed or programs are succeeding.
Throughout the years, Esri and CSG have strengthened their partnership to deliver more resources to state leaders so that they may develop data-driven policy solutions to state challenges. From supporting “Innovation Classrooms” at the CSG National Conference to meetings with CSG policy staff and legislators, these forums provide an environment for frank, yet open discussions on timely topics that allow Esri to better understand what tools and capabilities states need.
From top-of-mind issues such as the housing crisis, homelessness, climate change, infrastructure, substance misuse, mental health and economic mobility, Esri’s GIS technology is being leveraged by the states to better prioritize efforts and allocate resources.
Esri’s interest in hosting a policy academy grew out of our support of the “Innovation Classrooms.” We found these sessions successful because they provided an environment for frank, yet open discussions with CSG members. We always came away with more knowledge than what we imparted.
Through our work together, Esri has come to view CSG as a trusted partner — one that recognizes the value of collaborating with like-minded organizations. This allows CSG members, Esri and our fellow CSG Associates Program members to ask questions, collaborate and fully understand how data and geography can help establish policy solutions.
To anyone looking to join CSG as an Associate or to maximize their membership, we encourage you to show up and support — at meetings, “Innovation Classrooms” and social events. As Leadership Circle sponsor, these opportunities have fostered new connections, strengthened relationships, and provided Esri access to state legislators and executive staff, while offering a nonpartisan understanding of the latest policy issues.
Richard Leadbeater
Director, State/Provincial Government Solutions & Government Trade Association Industries, Esri
Richard Leadbeater joined Esri in 1997. He focuses on developing tools and solutions addressing government administrative functions with attention towards using GIS in support of policy development, administrative processes, elections and redistricting solutions. Leadbeater holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and applied geography from the University of Maryland.