Mishka Vance studied Environmental Management and Policy, and Geographic Information Science at Hunter College. She started her career in public service, data management, and map generation with organizations such as West Harlem Environmental Action, and the New York City Department of Health GIS Center. Mishka currently manages the New York City Historical GIS Project at the New York Public Library Map Division. She creates new digital public resources using digitized historical map sheets. She also conducts outreach activities, including training public groups, student groups, volunteers, and interns in the process of georectification and data map mining. Mishka is a native New Yorker who enjoys science fiction literature and knitting.