Ms. Andiswa Mlisa

Program Manager - Digital Earth Pacific
Pacific Community

Andiswa Mlisa is the Digital Earth Pacific Programme Manager at the Pacific Community (SPC), where she ensures that Earth observations are responsive to the needs of the 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories in SPC's membership. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in Earth observations, digital data infrastructures, capacity building, strategic partnerships, and business development, she brings extensive expertise to her role.

Prior to her role at SPC, she led the Earth Observation division at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), and she also served as Acting CEO of SANSA, overseeing strategic growth and organisation realignment, building on her diverse experience from both the private sector and intergovernmental organizations.

An active figure in the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) community since 2005, Andiswa worked at the GEO Secretariat, establishing the AfriGEO Initiative, supporting capacity building, and serving as Co-Chair of the GEO Programme Board. Her work in Digital Earth initiatives extends globally, including her role as Co-Chair of the Digital Earth Africa Technical Advisory Committee.

Throughout her career, Andiswa has consistently advanced the application of Earth observations for sustainable development, using her expertise to bridge regional and international efforts in this crucial field.