Based in Nairobi, Four Hundred Feet is an intentional company of one with a vibrant network of collaborators and partners.
four hundred feet
(ref)
400 feet or 1200 meters above ground level (AGL) is how high you can legally fly a drone in most countries around the world.
company of one
(ref)
A company of one is an intentional approach to business that questions traditional growth. Companies of one optimize for getting better, rather than getting bigger.
Hi there, I’m Kat James, the founder of Four Hundred Feet.
About me
I have a sticky note taped to the wall above my desk with the Mary Olivier quote:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
And it's a question I reflect on daily. Over the years, I’ve been a bunch of different things.
Geospatial Analyst. Cartographer. Global Health Researcher. UX Designer. Digital Health Consultant. Product Manager. Drone Pilot. Drone Consultant. Social Entrepreneur.
These days, I spend my time helping individuals and teams elevate their impact through consulting, one-on-one coaching, and educational resources.
In particular, I’m passionate about developing and strengthening the drone ecosystem.
I create #dronesforgood content on LinkedIn for a highly engaged community of ~25k industry professionals, as well as curate a newsletter that is read by thousands of individuals each week.
What I’m about
Core Values
01
Putting People First
I think drones are amazing, but at the end of the day they are simply a tool. I believe that strong partnerships with local actors are foundational to successful projects because no one can better understand the unique challenges facing local communities than the community members themselves.
02
Amplifying Diverse Perspectives
Part of my core mission is to make the drone industry more accessible to under-represented populations, especially women. It’s critical to amplify the learnings, perspectives, and insights of diverse voices to increase the social impact of our industry.
Prioritizing Quality
03
I believe in doing fewer things, better.
In a world that often gives priority to the loudest voices, Four Hundred Feet is committed to adding value — not noise — to the drone ecosystem.
Ecosystem
Development
While I love rolling up my sleeves and diving deep into the weeds de-bugging technical issues or troubleshooting operational challenges, I’m most passionate about working on projects that help strengthen and grow the drone ecosystem.
The big questions I’d like to help answer include:
01
How do we craft regulations that promote safety & security, while also creating an enabling environment for businesses and social good initiatives?
02
How do we make it easier for individuals to connect & learn from each other so we can catalyze and accelerate innovation?
03
How do we go beyond pilot projects and increase the adoption of drone technology for social good initiatives at scale?
04
How do we increase diversity in the drone industry and help more individuals land impactful opportunities?
Testimonials
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It's not only her multidisciplinary skills that amaze me but also her genuine passion for making an impact with the work she is doing. She is committed, inclusive, and possesses a can-do attitude that inspires me.
Margherita Bruscolini
Former Head of Drones, Globhe -
![Femi Adeokya]()
Kat's expertise and dedication to excellence have made her a trailblazer and thought leader in the drone industry.
Femi Adoyka
Founder, Integrated Aerial Precision -
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Kat is the signal amidst the noise of unsubstantiated claims, hype, and misinformation that often pervade the drone space.
Jon Caris
Senior Drone Data Scientist, Tufts University -
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Resolute, intelligent, and dedicated are just a few words that come to mind when I think of Kat. Her ability to balance competing priorities and navigate ambiguous challenges is second to none.
Chandler Smith
Former Applications Engineer, Dimagi -
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Kat is incredibly resourceful and has the ultimate go-getter attitude - you can't find anyone better to get a job done. I couldn't recommend Kat more for any job that needs doing.
Kimberly Cho
Applications Engineer, Dimagi
Recent Speaking & Lectures
Global Health Supply Chain Summit
2022
Panel Facilitator
UNICEF’s African Drone and Data Academy
2023
Guest Lecturer
Kenyan Agri-Drone Business Competition
2023
Judge
World Vaccine Congress
2023
Panel Facilitator
World Bank Drones for Health Workshop
2023
Guest Speaker
Smith College’s Spatial Analysis Lab
2023
Guest Lecturer
GIZ Virtual Exchange
2024
Panelist
International Center for Journalists
2024
Fellowship Trainer
Precision Agriculture Incubation Program
2024
Guest Speaker
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
2024
Panelist
Elevate Africa UAS Summit
2024
Panelist
Michigan Medicine
2024
Guest Lecturer
Tech for Good Fest | Nairobi
2024
Session Co-Facilitator
Advisory Boards
Commercial UAV Expo
Path to Leadership Scholarship Program
DroneDeploy
Resilient Futures Grant Program
Press
Drone Business Masterminds
Podcast
Props Clear
Podcast
Drone Girl
Industry Blog
Education
Summer Business Program
University of Chicago
B.A. in Geography & Global Health
Middlebury College
Dual Masters in Public Health & Information Science
University of Michigan
Certifications
KCAA Certified Remote Pilot
FAA Part-107 Certified Drone Pilot
To learn more about my background and research experience, download my full CV.
understand the ecosystem
Get the 2024 Guide to Drones for Good
From disaster response to environmental conservation, this guide outlines how drones are used across 15 different verticals, links to top resources, and highlights the major players in the space.
Whether you’re seeking collaborators, conducting market research, or searching for your next dream job, this free guide has everything you need to successfully navigate the #dronesforgood ecosystem.
