2023-2024 WISTA USA Board of Directors
(Left to Right, Back Row: Jillian Tobias, Christina Liviakis Gianopulos, Kate Belmont, Meredith Kirby, Sarah Burroughs, Anna Silva, Marlene Boyer, Sarah Brennan. Not pictured: Jeanne Grasso.)
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WISTA USA, the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, celebrated its 25th anniversary with an exceptional lineup of presenters and panelists at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference, May 11 – 12. Prior to the AGM, held in Washington D.C., members were joined by Admiral Linda L. Fagan, 27th Commandant of the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard, for a fireside chat discussion and a speed networking event which allowed the Admiral to connect with members of WISTA USA.
During the AGM portion of the two-day event, WISTA USA members elected three board members to its board of directors, including returning board member Kate Belmont, Associate General Counsel, ABS, and newly appointed board members Sarah Brennan, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, and Sarah Burroughs, Sr. Manager ISM, Holland America Group. After several years of extraordinary leadership and service to WISTA USA, Parker Harrison, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal and Risk Officer, Crowley Maritime Corporation, and Caitlin Hardy, Head of Kongsberg Underwater Technology, LLC & VP Programs, Americas, stepped down this year.
The 2023 – 2024 WISTA USA Board includes Ms. Belmont, Ms. Brennan, Ms. Burroughs, as well as Christina Liviakis Gianopulos, Director of Business Development, American Ship Repair and WISTA USA President; Jillian Tobias, President, LogOn Media Strategies and WISTA USA Vice President; Marlene Boyer, Global Commercial Manager, Stolt Tankers; Jeanne Grasso, Partner, Blank Rome, LLP; Meredith Kirby, General Counsel, International Registries, Inc; and Anna Silva, HSE/Cruise Manager, Port Everglades.
Following the AGM, this year’s conference brought together maritime industry leaders from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Maritime Administration, the Federal Maritime Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Navy, the Chamber of Shipping of America, IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, Pasha, Crowley, ABS, K&L Gates, American Waterway Operators, American P&I Club, Transportation Institute, Holland and Knight, American Maritime Congress and more to discuss the latest maritime regulations, keeping women at the helm, as well as how to operate in a dynamic environment. This year’s speakers included Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, Administrator for the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration; Dan Maffei, Chairman for the Federal Maritime Commission; Richmond Beevers, Supervisory Attorney for Office of Trade, Cargo Security Carriers, and Restricted Merchandise Branch; and Elpi Petraki, Operations, Chartering & Business Development Manager for ENEA Management and WISTA International President. The conference concluded with a gala honoring WISTA USA’s 25 years of leadership and progress in the U.S. maritime community.
About WISTA USA
WISTA USA, founded in 1997, is the largest National WISTA Association (NWAs) worldwide, with more than 800 members spread across twelve regional Chapters: Connecticut; Delaware River & Bay Area; Florida; Great Lakes/Midwest; Hampton Roads; New England; New Orleans; New York / New Jersey; the Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Washington, and Oregon); Texas; Washington, DC Metro; and West Coast (California and Hawai’i). WISTA USA members represent all facets of the maritime industry, including shipowners, charterers, operators, brokers, bankers, insurance professionals, attorneys, analysts, and government officials.
WISTA USA’s main goals are providing networking and educational opportunities for WISTA USA members. In pursuit of these objectives, our various regional Chapters hold periodic meetings, seminars, and social gatherings throughout the year, occasionally in conjunction with larger marine industry events. In addition, the WISTA USA Annual General Meeting takes place each spring, and the International Conference, open to all WISTA members worldwide, takes place each fall. All of these events – whether local, regional, national, or international – provide tremendous networking and educational opportunities for our members and thereby enhance the benefits of membership in the organization.
For more information on WISTA USA, please visit https://wistainternational.com/association/wista-usa/.
