Mapmaking for Hope and Change - An Interview with Ellen Delgado, ESRI StoryMaps
A focus of my work at StoryCenter going back to the early 2000s was on placemaking through digital storytelling. That inspired work I did with early Google maps and our storymapping project, the work with mobile digital storytelling and our IOStory projects, and more recently the Stories-in-Motion online and in-person workshops. Most of this is captured in the course website, wp.story-mapping.org. In our recent projects, ESRI’s StoryMaps software has been a revelation. I had the chance to sit down with Ellen Delgado, Associate Product Manager of ArcGIS StoryMaps, to discuss her background and interests. She has been active in environmental policy and advocacy in her native Peru, as exemplified by her overview in this storymap, Supporting Local Conservation Initiatives in Peru.
Ellen working with the Institute of Research for Sustainable Development of Ceja de Selva in Peru.
Joe: Let’s start with the easiest question. Introduce yourself and what you do at ESRI, then we’ll talk about your background.
Ellen Delgado: I am Ellen Delgado. I currently work as an associate product manager at ESRI, and I work specifically with ArcGIS StoryMaps—ESRI’s solution for storytelling with maps.
Joe Lambert: We had the pleasure of you and Jennifer Bell joining us at a recent Stories-in Motion workshop that StoryCenter does as part of our ongoing digital storytelling efforts. I was really fascinated with the story (Ellen’s Portfolio) you shared as a StoryMap about your background.
I’ve done some work in Latin America over the years, and tried to keep up with the history, culture and current political, environmental and social challenges facing people in these regions. It was exciting for me to hear somebody working in StoryMaps from that perspective.
So, what in your background had you thinking about maps, geography, and place? How did you end up working for ESRI?
Ellen Delgado: It’s a very interesting story, even for me. I discovered maps during my conservation work in Peru. I started as an intern at an international NGO called Nature and Culture International. Their mission was to create new protected areas in northern Peru, where I lived. Many of these areas were remote, making it difficult to visit and document environmental conditions or justify protection.
At university, I discovered remote sensing and GIS. My professor introduced me to these tools when I explained the challenges of fieldwork. It felt like gaining a superpower—I could map areas without physically being there. The NGO had a GIS team that played a crucial role in decision-making, and I fell in love with using technology to help communities. That’s when I decided GIS would be my career path.
As an environmental engineer, I could’ve gone into construction or social impact, but GIS aligned perfectly with my interests.
Joe Lambert: In the context you grew up in, how did the built and natural landscape shape your life?
Ellen Delgado: I grew up in the mountains of northern Peru, in a biodiverse region called the Huancabamba Depression. My parents were professors in rural areas, so I spent a lot of time hiking and learning about nature. My dad, a chemistry professor, often discussed ecology, which deepened my love for environmental protection.
Joe Lambert: Peru’s geography is diverse—Andes, coastline, Afro-Peruvian and Indigenous cultures. Did you see Indigenous knowledge as important in environmental GIS work?
Ellen Delgado: Absolutely. Working with Nature and Cultural International, I connected with local communities and understood their struggles. Hearing their stories of injustice fueled my passion. Many Peruvians don’t get to learn from Indigenous ways of living, so I felt privileged to amplify their voices.
Joe Lambert: What did a typical day look like in your early work—field research vs. computer analysis?
Ellen Delgado: I had limited fieldwork time (mostly during breaks). Most days, I took morning classes, then worked at the NGO’s GIS lab in the afternoon. I learned by doing—working on school projects while contributing to NGO initiatives. The GIS professionals there were incredibly supportive, even when I asked too many questions!
Joe Lambert: How did you transition from Peru to working at ESRI?
Ellen Delgado: After university, I joined the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law, working with lawyers to influence policy. Communicating technical GIS data to non-technical audiences was challenging. At a conference in Lima, I saw StoryMaps and thought, This is what I need!
Later, I pursued a master’s at the University of Georgia, where I learned about ESRI. I applied for an internship, moved to Redlands, and joined the StoryMaps team. My experience in nonprofits, government, and academia fit perfectly with ESRI’s collaborative environment.
Joe Lambert: What are some of your highlight projects at ESRI?
Ellen Delgado: One of the great things about ESRI is that even within StoryMaps, we have multiple teams working together. One of my highlights has been collaborating with our editorial team. They maintain strong relationships with global institutions, and we support their storytelling process for major projects - especially with partners like National Geographic.
This collaboration is really rewarding. For example Over the last few years the StoryMaps Team have worked closely with the National Geographic Society | Nature Conservancy Externship Program, providing training and office hours. Their final projects are StoryMaps, and in 2024, multiple externs entered to the ArcGIS StoryMaps competition. At least three were finalists, and IUCN selected one as the Nature Student winner: Story. The program is international, fostering the next generation of conservation leaders.
Another key partner is UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). They're doing important work worldwide, and we meet with them annually to understand their project needs and how we can better support their initiatives.
Currently, my role focuses on three main areas:
Customer feedback - Understanding how users interact with our products and identifying improvements
Streamlining onboarding - When I first joined ESRI, we had two separate storytelling platforms (one consumer-focused, one business-focused), which created some confusion. Now, one of our major projects is creating a more unified, intuitive storytelling experience that better integrates with our other Esri solutions.
Internal communication - I regularly brief directors and other product teams to facilitate collaboration, ensuring the ArcGIS system works together seamlessly for customers.
Joe Lambert: How can educators or community groups start using StoryMaps?
Ellen Delgado: Start small—ask students or members to map local issues (e.g., "What did you see on your way to school?"). StoryMaps is a gateway to GIS, helping people connect personal stories to broader themes.
Joe Lambert: What’s your vision for this work?
Ellen Delgado: I would like to increase the hope that change is possible. One of the reasons why I feel very comfortable in my current position at ESRI is that we can use StoryMaps to amplify more voices of people.
This is the type of change I would like to support.
To give more hope, where people say, Hey, we can make this space better!”
It doesn’t have to start big, you can start at a small scale. I want to amplify voices for change—showing that local actions matter.
I also hope to mentor young women in tech, especially from Latin America.
Joe Lambert: (switching to Spanish)¿Existen recursos especiales en español para la comunidad hispana en América Latina?
Sí, muchos de los recursos de ESRI están disponibles en español. Por ejemplo, la plataforma ArcGIS StoryMaps está traducida a múltiples idiomas, incluyendo el español.
Además, actualmente estamos trabajando en un servicio de traducción automática dentro de ESRI, para que los StoryMaps creados en inglés (u otros idiomas) puedan traducirse automáticamente. Esto es parte de nuestro esfuerzo por incrementar el acceso a la tecnología.
También, en muchos países de Latinoamérica (como Perú, por ejemplo), existen programas especiales para colegios y universidades que facilitan el acceso a ArcGIS a un costo reducido. De hecho, yo misma no habría podido trabajar con ArcGIS si no fuera por estos acuerdos, que hacen el software más accesible que en Estados Unidos.
Estos programas incluyen:
Licencias educativas a bajo costo.
Capacitaciones en español.
Distribución local a través de socios regionales.
Si eres parte de una institución educativa, te recomiendo contactar a los distribuidores locales de ESRI para conocer las opciones disponibles en tu país.
Translation: Resources in Spanish for the Hispanic Community
Joe Lambert: Are there special resources in Spanish for the Hispanic community in Latin America?
Ellen Delgado: Yes! Many of ESRI’s resources are available in Spanish. For example, the ArcGIS StoryMaps platform is translated into multiple languages, including Spanish.
We’re also currently developing an auto-translation service within ESRI, so StoryMaps created in English (or other languages) can be automatically translated. This is part of our effort to improve access to technology.
Additionally, many Latin American countries (like Peru, for instance) have special programs for schools and universities that provide discounted access to ArcGIS. In fact, I wouldn’t have been able to work with ArcGIS without these agreements, which make the software more affordable than in the U.S.
These programs include:
Low-cost educational licenses.
Training in Spanish.
Local distribution through regional partners.
If you’re part of an educational institution, we recommend contacting ESRI’s local distributors to explore options in your country.
Joe Lambert: Can you share Latin American StoryMap examples, especially related to the Amazon?
Ellen Delgado: Yes! I published several research collaborations in scientific journals related to GIS, environmental impact analysis, and their application to conservation efforts, mainly in Peru. One memorable one focuses on the effectiveness of community-based, privately Protected Areas in the Cloud forest of Peru. The original publication was made in Spanish to increase the accessibility of this information to local conservation networks and its application in public policy. The University of Georgia made a translation of the highlights of the research in English in this document Effectiveness of Communal Privately Protected Areas in Montane Cloud Forests of Northern Peru.
Maybe I should turn it into a StoryMap!
Another important article has been published in the prestigious scientific journal Environmental Conservation by Cambridge Press, in collaboration with the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law. This work focuses on mapping high-altitude peatlands to guide a landscape conservation strategy in northern Peru's Andes. I have an existing StoryMaps collection with few projects developed during my carrer Environmental Research Supported by Earth Observations
Joe Lambert: That’d be great! We’d love to feature you at our 12th International Digital Storytelling Conference in Brazil. The focus will be on climate, indigenous rights and the use of digital storytelling for well being and health.
Ellen Delgado: I would be happy to do that, thank you for the invitation.
Joe Lambert: And thank you for sharing your experiences with our community. Good luck to you with all your efforts at ESRI.
