Dorothy (Dore) Nash’s passing marks the loss of a deeply committed leader, connector, and steward of New York City’s geospatial community. Her work with GISMO shaped not only the organization itself, but also the people and relationships that continue to define it today.
Dore stepped into leadership of GISMO in 2006, when founder Jack Eichenbaum passed the baton to her, Kenneth Reid, and a small steering committee. At that time, GISMO was an informal, volunteer-driven network—held together by shared purpose, professional respect, and a commitment to advancing GIS across the city.
She embraced that role with care and determination. Dore believed deeply in the importance of community and connection. She worked to expand GISMO’s reach, actively seeking out new voices and encouraging broader participation. She attended meetup groups to connect younger professionals to GISMO, recognizing that the organization’s future depended on engaging the next generation and building bridges across sectors and experience levels.
Under her leadership, GISMO reached an important milestone in 2010 by affiliating with the New York State GIS Association. This step extended GISMO’s reach beyond its longstanding listserv and local gatherings, linking it to a broader statewide network and opening new opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and advocacy.
Like many volunteer-led efforts, GISMO faced challenges during this period. Sustaining consistent engagement proved difficult, and over time, membership meetings became less frequent. Yet Dore remained committed. She continued to bring people together, to reach outward, and to hold space for a community that still mattered deeply to so many. Her leadership during these years was not defined by ease, but by persistence and care.
That stewardship proved essential.
By 2012, GISMO began transitioning toward a more formal and sustainable structure, led by Alan Leidner. This next phase included the adoption of bylaws, the introduction of membership dues, and the establishment of an elected Board of Directors. Because Dore had preserved GISMO through a challenging transitional period, there was a solid foundation upon which this formal structure could be built and expanded.
Dore’s legacy, then, is not only in milestones, but in continuity. She carried GISMO forward between eras—after its founding energy and before its formal institutional structure. She ensured that the community endured, that new people were welcomed, and that the door remained open.
Today, GISMO’s ongoing work—its leadership, its programs, and its sense of shared purpose—reflects that legacy.
Dore will be remembered for her generosity, her outreach, and her belief in the importance of connecting people. She helped sustain a community through change, making its future possible.
She will be deeply missed.