Ms. Adele Birkenes

Adele Birkenes is a Geospatial Analyst with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) GeoCenter. In her current role, she supports the management of the USAID-funded YouthMappers program and the implementation of USAID’s Geospatial Strategy. She is an incoming Geography MS candidate at The George Washington University. She graduated from Vassar College in 2020 with a BA in Geography and correlates in Biology and Hispanic Studies. While at Vassar, Adele co-founded the YouthMappers chapter Hudson Valley Mappers and served as the president for two years. She also worked as Vassar’s first Community Geographer. Adele is passionate about designing community and participatory mapping projects that prioritize local needs and perspectives, environmental and social justice goals, and equity and inclusion.