As a Senior Manager for Programs spanning over 24 countries across West and North Africa, Carter plays a pivotal role in addressing critical data gaps at the intersection of environmental, humanitarian, and development challenges. By leveraging inclusive and socially driven technologies, he advances sustainable human development and strengthens evidence-based decision-making in some of the most complex operational contexts.

He leads regional teams in designing and executing transformative initiatives across key thematic areas, including urban development, disaster risk reduction, and conflict-sensitive development. Through the strategic use of open geospatial technologies and data-driven knowledge products, his work ensures that the needs and realities of communities in the Global South are not only understood but meaningfully addressed.

With an academic and professional foundation in Engineering, International Development, Human-Centered Technology, and Humanitarian Project Management, Carter brings a multidisciplinary approach to his work. His contributions have earned global recognition from leading institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the U.S. State Department, and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), where he is regarded as a catalyst for impactful programming across Africa.

At the core of Carter’s professional philosophy is a deep commitment to localization. He believes that sustainable change emerges when technical expertise is intentionally woven together with local knowledge and authentic human connections. This belief shapes not only his approach to program design but also his personal dedication to ensuring that every community, particularly those historically underrepresented, is visible and recognized on the map.

Looking ahead to 2026, Carter and his team are actively collaborating with a diverse range of ecosystem actors, including bilateral partners, municipal authorities, civil society organizations, and local communities, to implement a robust portfolio of initiatives. These projects span high-resolution drone imagery collection in urban areas to improve service delivery and urban planning; air pollution mapping to strengthen public health advocacy; flood risk modeling to enhance disaster preparedness; and the analysis of urban heat island effects to assess climate vulnerabilities. The team is also engaged in supporting informal settlements for recognition while building gender-inclusive technical capacity among youth in vulnerable communities.

Central to all these efforts is the use of open-source technologies that promote sustainability and human development, ensuring that mapping-based knowledge products directly inform advocacy, shape policy, and improve service delivery outcomes at the local level.