Episodes

In Episode 268 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Brandon Vecchio, Financial Advisor and Co-Founder of Axios Financial Group. Brandon specializes in comprehensive financial planning for maritime professionals, oil and gas workers, small business owners, and others looking to build financial independence on their own terms. His connection to the maritime industry began through Captain Glenn Koshak, who introduced him to the industry and helped him better understand the unique careers ...

In Episode 267 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Gretel Desirée Velázquez Peña, a Port Facility Security Officer at Hazesa in the Port of Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. Gretel began her maritime career as a cadet at the Mazatlán Nautical School and has since worked across several areas of the industry. Her experience includes offshore operations on oil platforms as a Second Deck Officer, coordinating maritime traffic as a VTS officer, and her current role in port facility security. In ...

In Episode 266, host Liz Schmidt sits down with Lili Colby, Industry & Outreach Representative at Mustang Survival, for a deep‑dive into personal water safety and the essential care required to keep your inflatable lifejacket performing at its best offshore. Together, they break down what mariners should know about maintaining inflatable PFDs, how to inspect your gear before every hitch, and the simple habits that ensure your PPE is truly ready when you need it most. Lili shares Mustang Surviva...

In Episode 265 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Captain Kamila Calko, MNI, founder and owner of SeaLight and founder and director of SeaLight Sisters. Kamila’s maritime career began at 19, when she applied to become a ship’s captain despite having no seafaring background. That first opportunity led to more than two decades at sea and experience aboard more than 30 vessels, including BC Coast tugboats, Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers, and passenger ro-ro ferries. She eventually bec...

In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, we welcome Captain Neil Daboul, a seasoned maritime professional with more than four decades of experience across commercial shipping, offshore operations, and fleet management. Today, he brings that expertise to Mercy Ships, a global nonprofit that delivers free surgical care and strengthens healthcare systems aboard hospital ships serving communities across Africa. Throughout his career, Captain Daboul has served in leadership roles aboard drills...

In episode 263, Women Offshore is turning nine, and Executive Director Liz Schmidt is here to celebrate with energy, gratitude, and a look at what’s ahead. This anniversary episode highlights the growth of our global community, the programs shaping mariners’ careers, and the stories that have defined our mission since 2017. Liz also shares an exciting preview of the 2026 Women Offshore Annual Conference, including powerhouse keynote speakers, dynamic panels, skill‑building workshops, and the bel...

In episode 262 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we welcome Michela Monteverde, creator of HarborFlow, an emerging maritime intelligence system that transforms AIS vessel tracking and geospatial data into actionable insights for the shipping and logistics industry. Michela's journey into maritime began in an unexpected place. Originally trained in archaeology, her interest in spatial analysis and GIS eventually led her from studying landscapes to navigating them at sea. After gaining hands-on expe...

In Episode 261 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Oluwadamilola "Engr Dee" Adebamipe, a Marine Engineer, maritime data analytics professional, and founder of DeeMarine Analytics. With a career spanning vessel operations, port systems, maritime education, and data analytics, Engr Dee brings a unique perspective on how technology is transforming the maritime industry. Drawing from her experience onboard vessels, working with the Nigerian Ports Authority, and educating future maritime ...

In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, we welcome Shasta Kahoalii, Founder of Athena Talent Group. With nearly 20 years of experience in recruiting and talent acquisition leadership, Shasta has interviewed more than 10,000 candidates and supported organizations across offshore, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, supply chain, and operations. Join us as we discuss hiring trends, leadership development, career advancement, and what candidates can do to stand out in today's competitiv...

In Episode 259 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Ade Tiznado Solorzano, a Merchant Navy Deck Officer, vessel manager, and Women Offshore Ambassador whose career spans tanker vessels, azimuth tugboats, and humanitarian operations at sea. Ade shares her experience working across diverse vessel types and operational environments, discussing everything from navigation and bridge watchkeeping to safety management systems and emergency response. She reflects on the skills required to lead ...

In Episode 258 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Heather Ervin, Editor-in-Chief of Marine Log. Heather shares her path through maritime journalism and the role media plays in highlighting the people and issues shaping the industry today. Since joining Marine Log, she has helped expand the publication’s readership, events, and industry recognition initiatives, including the creation of the Top Women in Maritime award. The conversation explores the importance of visibility, storytelli...

In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Denielle Christensen, Executive Director and CEO of WaveWorks Alliance. Denielle’s career began outside of maritime, but she spent more than two decades immersed in the commercial marine industry through her work with WorkBoat Magazine, the International WorkBoat Show, Pacific Marine Expo, and National Fisherman. Through that experience, she gained a clear view of the operational demands across the sector, and the growing workforce ch...

In Episode 256 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Caitlin Hardy, Founder and Managing Director of Ness Sea, a strategic consulting firm working at the intersection of maritime and technology. In this episode, Caitlin walks through key elements of the Maritime Action Plan and what it means for the future of the industry. From shipbuilding and workforce development to emerging technologies and defense considerations, the conversation highlights how strategy is shaping both commercial an...

In Episode 255 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we speak with Chris Martin of Wings Global Travel, a global travel management company that supports crew logistics across the maritime and offshore industries. Chris shares how travel coordination plays a critical role in offshore operations. From crew rotations and last-minute schedule changes to complex international travel requirements, logistics teams work behind the scenes to keep vessels and projects moving. The conversation highlights the le...

In Episode 234 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we spotlight Resolve Marine, a Women Offshore Corporate Supporter and a global provider of marine salvage, emergency response, and offshore services. During this episode, listeners will gain a better understanding of the scope of work involved in marine response operations and the partnerships required to make these efforts successful. Maritime operations often involve collaboration across vessel operators, port authorities, government agencies, and...

If you’re new to Women Offshore or looking for guidance on how to navigate a maritime career, this episode is a great place to start. In Episode 235 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Executive Director Liz Schmidt and Director of Career Support Christine MacMillan walk listeners through the resources, programs, and community that Women Offshore offers to support mariners at every stage of their careers. Together, they explain how the organization works—from scholarships and career development pro...

In Episode 252 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Executive Director Liz Schmidt speaks with Kim Malkoski, Diving Safety Officer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, about training and managing scientific divers in research environments. Kim shares her journey from early scuba certification at age 13 to leading dive safety operations at one of the world’s premier oceanographic institutions. The conversation explores scientific diving standards, safety culture, marine research operations, and th...

In Episode 251 of the Women Offshore Podcast, we sit down with Richard A. Stone, founder of Mayflower Event News and author of Project Mayflower, to explore the enduring legacy of one of the most iconic ships in maritime history. Richard shares how his background in journalism and media shaped the creation of Project Mayflower, offering insight into the modern preservation, restoration, and interpretation of the Mayflower and Mayflower II. The conversation highlights why maritime history remain...

Episode 250 of the Women Offshore Podcast marks a major milestone — not just in episode count, but in the evolution of Women Offshore itself. In this special episode, Executive Director Liz Schmidt and Director of Career Development Christine MacMillan reflect on the podcast’s origins, its role in documenting the organization’s journey, and how far the maritime industry has come in addressing topics once rarely discussed. When the Women Offshore Podcast launched, it was one of the very first in...

In Episode 249 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Women Offshore Executive Director Liz Schmidt sits down live at METSTRADE in Amsterdam with Meg Reilly. She is a circumnavigator, sustainability leader, and global change-maker for an inspiring conversation at the intersection of sailing, leadership, and impact. Meg’s journey began far from the sea. After building a successful career on Madison Avenue, she made the bold decision to step away and pursue a lifelong dream: sailing around the world. In ...

In Episode 248 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan sits down with Captain Rima Fe Lumangtad, Tidewater’s first Filipino female Master, to talk about her remarkable journey to the bridge — and the leadership values guiding her command today. Rima’s love for the sea began in childhood along the coastlines of the Philippines, where watching vessels pass sparked a dream that never faded. After college, she began her maritime career in 2005 working on a ferry, earning onboard promotio...

In this episode, we’re bringing you a replay of one of our most popular live events—Ask an Ambassador! Liz Schmidt hosts an honest and uplifting conversation with several of our Ambassadors, answering questions directly from the Women Offshore community. Whether you’re new to the industry or navigating your next steps, you’ll find encouragement and takeaways you can use today. We’d love to hear what stood out to you—reach out on social and share your thoughts!

In Episode 246 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan sits down with Deb Ryan, CEO and Founder of Swan Mountain Advisory, and one of the newest members of the Women Offshore Board. With nearly 20 years of experience across emissions management, carbon markets, and the upstream oil and gas industry, Deb brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and global perspective. Deb has built her career at the intersection of engineering, energy, and climate. A licens...

In Episode 245 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan speaks with Gladys DeClouet, author of A Layered Life: Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Black Woman in Corporate America, about her incredible journey across two male-dominated industries—offshore oil and gas, and the restaurant business. Gladys began her career at Conoco Oil as the first female engineer in offshore exploration and production, blazing a trail for women in energy long before diversity initiatives were standard ...