menu
Welcome to my personal website. Here, you’ll find a collection of my projects, ideas, and collaborations. I am passionate about ecclesiastical cartography and using geographic data and emerging spatial technologies to improve lives and the planet.
When I’m not consulting, teaching, or engaging in public advocacy, you can find me outside adventuring by foot or bicycle, working in the dirt in my garden or on one of my friends’ farms, creating art, immersing myself in the flow of the psalms, or tearing up the floor at contra dances. And to be honest: even in my downtime, I’m often mapping. Whether it’s grand ideas like systematic theology or the tiny wonders of local ant habitats, mapping is my favorite way to explore, express, and connect with people, places, and ideas.
I believe maps can transform how we understand and care for our neighbors and world. Take a look around—I hope something here sparks your curiosity.
Kindly,
Molly A. H. Burhans
Welcome to my personal website. Here, you’ll find a collection of my projects, ideas, and collaborations. I am passionate about ecclesiastical cartography and using geographic data and emerging spatial technologies to improve lives and the planet.
When I’m not consulting, teaching, or engaging in public advocacy, you can find me outside adventuring by foot or bicycle, working in the dirt in my garden or on one of my friends’ farms, creating art, immersing myself in the flow of the psalms, or tearing up the floor at contra dances. And to be honest: even in my downtime, I’m often mapping. Whether it’s grand ideas like systematic theology or the tiny wonders of local ant habitats, mapping is my favorite way to explore, express, and connect with people, places, and ideas.
I believe maps can transform how we understand and care for our neighbors and world. Take a look around—I hope something here sparks your curiosity.
Kindly,
Molly A. H. Burhans
Molly Burhans is a leader in faith-based environmentalism, cartography, and social entrepreneurship, with a reputation that extends globally. As the founder of GoodLands, an organization dedicated to using the Catholic Church’s land holdings for environmental and humanitarian purposes, Burhans made significant strides in progressing sustainable and responsible land use solutions.
One of Burhans’ most notable achievements was her role as lead cartographer for the first unified global map of the Catholic Church’s governing jurisdictions, which was showcased at the Vatican in 2016. This work earned her recognition from Pope Francis, who approached her in 2018 to establish a Cartography Institute in the Holy See.
Burhans is known for her innovative models for ecological restoration on a global scale, her expertise in meta-state governance, and her groundbreaking models for conservation financing that involve non-taxable landholders. Her contributions in the area of data infrastructure deployment and policy for global non-state actors have drawn the interest and recognition of academic, governmental, and private sectors alike.
This section offers several versions of my biography in varying lengths, providing options for use in materials or media as needed. Click to expand. A gallery of headshots can be found using the button below. Please ensure to request permission before using them.
Words: 228
Characters: 1617
Characters excluding spaces: 1395
Molly Burhans is an internationally recognized cartographer and a visionary leader dedicated to increasing human flourishing through initiatives that integrate technology, science, design, and faith-based values.
Molly is a pioneer in modern cartography, geographic information systems, religious environmentalism, and scalable land-based climate solutions. As the founder of GoodLands, she has spent nearly a decade mobilizing the Catholic Church to use her lands for conservation and humanitarian efforts.
In 2016, Molly spearheaded the creation of the first unified, digital global map of the Catholic Church, illuminating its worldwide presence and people. Premiered at the Vatican, this landmark project paved the way for her ongoing collaborations with various dicasteries and collaborators supporting the Church’s missions and initiatives.
Molly’s contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including being named a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth—the UN’s highest environmental honor for young adults— a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, an Ashoka Fellow, a World Economic Forum Pioneer of Change, a Sierra Club EarthCare Laureate, and more.
Molly is a sought-after speaker who has delivered talks and keynote adresses at the United Nations, TEDxBoston, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a variety of educational institutions, symposia, and conferences.
In addition to her work on projects, advocacy, and creative initiatives, Molly is an adjunct professor of Urban Design in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA).
Words: 93
Characters: 602
Characters excluding spaces: 510
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate, best known for founding GoodLands and pioneering the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s landholdings for environmental and social justice. She led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican, and is recognized for her innovative work in ecological restoration and conservation financing. A sought-after speaker and educator, Molly has been honored as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Words: 146
Characters: 984
Characters excluding spaces: 839
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate known for her pioneering work at the intersection of faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has leveraged geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. Notably, she led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican. Molly is a sought-after speaker who has addressed global forums like TEDx and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). Additionally, she serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA). Her innovative approaches to ecological restoration across scales, non-state actors’ roles in environmental interventions, and conservation financing have earned her recognition such as being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Words: 198
Characters: 1327
Characters excluding spaces: 1131
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has pioneered the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Church, premiered at the Vatican, laying the foundation for data-driven conservation and climate action. Molly is also known for her innovative models for ecological restoration and conservation financing, particularly with non-taxable landholders.
Molly co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative focused on sustainable urban agriculture. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a visiting scholar at Canisius University. A sought-after speaker at global forums such as TEDx, the Vatican, and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), her work has been featured in leading publications including The New Yorker Magazine and MIT Technology Review. She has been recognized as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School and a BA in Philosophy from Canisius University.
Words: 500
Characters: 3562
Characters excluding spaces: 3070
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. Throughout her career, she has embraced diverse roles reflecting her passion for design, science, entrepreneurship, and education.
As the founder of GoodLands, Molly has pioneered the use of geographic data and emerging spatial technologies to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Catholic Church, which premiered at the Vatican. This project provided an unprecedented visualization of the Church’s worldwide presence and laid the foundation for data-driven approaches to conservation and climate action. Molly is also recognized for her innovative models for ecological restoration across geographic scales, meta-state governance, and conservation financing, particularly in contexts involving non-taxable landholders. Her expertise in deploying data infrastructure and shaping policy for global non-state actors has earned her recognition across academic, governmental, and private sectors.
Molly’s entrepreneurial spirit began early. In 2013, she co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative in Buffalo, NY, focused on sustainable urban agriculture. This initiative utilizes cutting-edge indoor farming techniques to address food insecurity while fostering local economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Molly serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, and as a visiting scholar at Canisius University. She is a sought-after speaker at global forums, including the Vatican, TEDx, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). Her work has been featured in leading publications such as The New Yorker, MIT Technology Review, and Landscape Architecture Magazine. She is also frequently invited to share her expertise on podcasts, webinars, and panels.
Earlier in her career, Molly worked as a laboratory technician at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on DNA replication, genomic stability, and the cellular effects of oxidative stress, particularly in relation to cancer development. She also brings over two decades of experience as a professional scientific media developer, with specialized training from Cornell’s Biological Illustration course at Shoals Marine Laboratory. Her scientific illustrations have been featured in Oxford Journals: Nucleic Acids Research and proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence’s annual conference. This background in scientific communication has shaped her approach to design and data visualization.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School (2015), where she was a Sustainable Communities Initiative Fellow, and a BA in Philosophy with a minor in dance from Canisius University (2014).
Her contributions have garnered international acclaim, including being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award. She was also featured in Encyclopædia Britannica‘s “20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future” for her transformative work at the intersection of cartography, environmentalism, and faith.
Whether in the classroom, on the global stage, or designing advanced GIS solutions, Molly continues to reimagine how we care for people, places, and the planet using spatial analytics and storytelling.
Molly Burhans is a leader in faith-based environmentalism, cartography, and social entrepreneurship, with a reputation that extends globally. As the founder of GoodLands, an organization dedicated to using the Catholic Church’s land holdings for environmental and humanitarian purposes, Burhans made significant strides in progressing sustainable and responsible land use solutions.
One of Burhans’ most notable achievements was her role as lead cartographer for the first unified global map of the Catholic Church’s governing jurisdictions, which was showcased at the Vatican in 2016. This work earned her recognition from Pope Francis, who approached her in 2018 to establish a Cartography Institute in the Holy See.
Burhans is known for her innovative models for ecological restoration on a global scale, her expertise in meta-state governance, and her groundbreaking models for conservation financing that involve non-taxable landholders. Her contributions in the area of data infrastructure deployment and policy for global non-state actors have drawn the interest and recognition of academic, governmental, and private sectors alike.
This section offers several versions of my biography in varying lengths, providing options for use in materials or media as needed. Click to expand. A gallery of headshots can be found using the button below. Please ensure to request permission before using them.
Words: 228
Characters: 1617
Characters excluding spaces: 1395
Molly Burhans is an internationally recognized cartographer and a visionary leader dedicated to increasing human flourishing through initiatives that integrate technology, science, design, and faith-based values.
Molly is a pioneer in modern cartography, geographic information systems, religious environmentalism, and scalable land-based climate solutions. As the founder of GoodLands, she has spent nearly a decade mobilizing the Catholic Church to use her lands for conservation and humanitarian efforts.
In 2016, Molly spearheaded the creation of the first unified, digital global map of the Catholic Church, illuminating its worldwide presence and people. Premiered at the Vatican, this landmark project paved the way for her ongoing collaborations with various dicasteries and collaborators supporting the Church’s missions and initiatives.
Molly’s contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including being named a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth—the UN’s highest environmental honor for young adults— a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, an Ashoka Fellow, a World Economic Forum Pioneer of Change, a Sierra Club EarthCare Laureate, and more.
Molly is a sought-after speaker who has delivered talks and keynote adresses at the United Nations, TEDxBoston, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a variety of educational institutions, symposia, and conferences.
In addition to her work on projects, advocacy, and creative initiatives, Molly is an adjunct professor of Urban Design in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA).
Words: 93
Characters: 602
Characters excluding spaces: 510
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate, best known for founding GoodLands and pioneering the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s landholdings for environmental and social justice. She led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican, and is recognized for her innovative work in ecological restoration and conservation financing. A sought-after speaker and educator, Molly has been honored as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Words: 146
Characters: 984
Characters excluding spaces: 839
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate known for her pioneering work at the intersection of faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has leveraged geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. Notably, she led the creation of the first unified global map of the Church, which premiered at the Vatican. Molly is a sought-after speaker who has addressed global forums like TEDx and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). Additionally, she serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA). Her innovative approaches to ecological restoration across scales, non-state actors’ roles in environmental interventions, and conservation financing have earned her recognition such as being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Words: 198
Characters: 1327
Characters excluding spaces: 1131
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. As the founder of GoodLands, she has pioneered the use of geographic data to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Church, premiered at the Vatican, laying the foundation for data-driven conservation and climate action. Molly is also known for her innovative models for ecological restoration and conservation financing, particularly with non-taxable landholders.
Molly co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative focused on sustainable urban agriculture. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University and a visiting scholar at Canisius University. A sought-after speaker at global forums such as TEDx, the Vatican, and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), her work has been featured in leading publications including The New Yorker Magazine and MIT Technology Review. She has been recognized as a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School and a BA in Philosophy from Canisius University.
Words: 500
Characters: 3562
Characters excluding spaces: 3070
Molly Burhans is a cartographer, data scientist, and environmental advocate whose work bridges faith, technology, and sustainability. Throughout her career, she has embraced diverse roles reflecting her passion for design, science, entrepreneurship, and education.
As the founder of GoodLands, Molly has pioneered the use of geographic data and emerging spatial technologies to mobilize the Catholic Church’s global landholdings for environmental stewardship and social justice. In 2016, she led the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Catholic Church, which premiered at the Vatican. This project provided an unprecedented visualization of the Church’s worldwide presence and laid the foundation for data-driven approaches to conservation and climate action. Molly is also recognized for her innovative models for ecological restoration across geographic scales, meta-state governance, and conservation financing, particularly in contexts involving non-taxable landholders. Her expertise in deploying data infrastructure and shaping policy for global non-state actors has earned her recognition across academic, governmental, and private sectors.
Molly’s entrepreneurial spirit began early. In 2013, she co-founded GroOperative, a worker-owned cooperative in Buffalo, NY, focused on sustainable urban agriculture. This initiative utilizes cutting-edge indoor farming techniques to address food insecurity while fostering local economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Molly serves as an adjunct associate professor of Urban Design at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, and as a visiting scholar at Canisius University. She is a sought-after speaker at global forums, including the Vatican, TEDx, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). Her work has been featured in leading publications such as The New Yorker, MIT Technology Review, and Landscape Architecture Magazine. She is also frequently invited to share her expertise on podcasts, webinars, and panels.
Earlier in her career, Molly worked as a laboratory technician at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on DNA replication, genomic stability, and the cellular effects of oxidative stress, particularly in relation to cancer development. She also brings over two decades of experience as a professional scientific media developer, with specialized training from Cornell’s Biological Illustration course at Shoals Marine Laboratory. Her scientific illustrations have been featured in Oxford Journals: Nucleic Acids Research and proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence’s annual conference. This background in scientific communication has shaped her approach to design and data visualization.
Molly holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School (2015), where she was a Sustainable Communities Initiative Fellow, and a BA in Philosophy with a minor in dance from Canisius University (2014).
Her contributions have garnered international acclaim, including being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, and a recipient of the Sierra Club’s EarthCare Award. She was also featured in Encyclopædia Britannica‘s “20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future” for her transformative work at the intersection of cartography, environmentalism, and faith.
Whether in the classroom, on the global stage, or designing advanced GIS solutions, Molly continues to reimagine how we care for people, places, and the planet using spatial analytics and storytelling.
Software Proficiencies
© mollyburhans.com 2024
Chromosystem 12™
Usage and Media Rights
This website, including all embedded media and content, was created by Molly Burhans unless otherwise noted on specific pages. The color schema, Chromosystem 12™, is a trademarked design by Molly Burhans, developed as part of her multi-year project Chronosystem 12, which maps the interplay of evolution, developmental biology, cosmology, astronomy, geophysical dynamics, ecology, anthropology, quantum chromodynamics, Ecclesiastical chronometry and time-representation systems. All rights are reserved, and no content may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without prior written permission. For inquiries or permissions, please contact Molly directly.
AMDG
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam
“All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece.” St. John Paul II
© mollyburhans.com 2024
Chromosystem 12™
AMDG
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam
Usage and Media Rights
This website, including all embedded media and content, was created by Molly Burhans unless otherwise noted on specific pages. The color schema, Chromosystem 12™, is a trademarked design by Molly Burhans, developed as part of her multi-year project Chronosystem 12, which maps the interplay of evolution, developmental biology, cosmology, astronomy, geophysical dynamics, ecology, anthropology, quantum chromodynamics, Ecclesiastical chronometry and time-representation systems. All rights are reserved, and no content may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without prior written permission. For inquiries or permissions, please contact Molly directly.
“All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece.” St. John Paul II