What first attracted you to work at HOT?

At that time, HOT Indonesia was planning to map my hometown and make the data publicly available, including sharing the full workflow. That felt both exciting and refreshing. While there’s nothing wrong with closed systems, I’ve always been drawn to the openness of collaborative ecosystems, where knowledge and data are shared for broader impact.

What’s the best thing about your colleagues?

Everyone brings deep expertise in their own area, but what stands out most is their willingness to collaborate. People are always ready to share knowledge and support each other, which makes working together both productive and enjoyable.

What are you most excited about for the future of HOT / OSM?

I’m excited about how we can continue supporting partners and local communities in addressing their mapping priorities, working with their various budget size, by leveraging sustainable, free, and open tools.

What is your current role at HOT, and how has it evolved?

My role is to support teams and partners in producing high-quality geospatial data. Initially, my focus was mainly on OpenStreetMap, but over time it has expanded into adopting and integrating new tools into our projects. More recently, I’ve also been growing into a project leadership role, including leading work in Lebanon with support from a highly skilled and collaborative team.

What is the most interesting project you've worked on here?

Many projects stand out because we always put the community first. But if I had to choose, I’d highlight the Seagrass Monitoring project for its innovative approach, using low-tech methods to capture underwater geotagged photos, and Map4Mangrove, where it’s been inspiring to see partners continue the work even after the project officially ended.

What’s one thing that surprised you about your current role?

I initially thought my role would mainly involve helping people solve technical issues in OpenStreetMap. But it goes beyond that. It’s also about helping communities build resilience, ensuring they can trust, maintain, and sustainably use the data over time.

What’s the motto you live by?

“Be stronger to be helpful.”

The stronger we are, whether in skills, mindset, or resilience, the more we can create and spread positive impact. Strength isn’t just physical; it comes in many forms.

What was the last tv show you binge watched?

Hawaii Five-0. Beyond entertainment, I appreciate how the show highlights teamwork, coordination under pressure, and problem-solving in complex situations. In many ways, it reflects the kind of collaboration and adaptability we aim for in our work, especially when managing projects across different contexts and challenges.

Learn more about Dinar here.

Photo courtesy of Dinar Adiatma