WISTA’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & CONFERENCE WASHINGTON, D.C.
Danae Bezantakou attended WISTA’s annual general meeting and conference held in Washington, D.C. from 10th to 12th of May, 2023. The event brought together 200 women leaders from the US shipping industry, as well as high-level women leaders from Greece, South America, and other countries, to celebrate WISTA’s 25th anniversary.
During the conference, WISTA USA President Christina Lyviaki Yiannopoulos emphasized the importance of reflecting on past achievements and envisioning the future of the organization and women in the shipping industry.
Admiral Linda Fagan also participated in the conference, highlighting the historical significance of the US as a maritime nation and discussing efforts to modernize naval operations from the perspective of the Coast Guard.
Elpi Petraki, president of WISTA International, presented the organization’s strategy and international developments. WISTA now represents 4,000 women in shipping across 55 countries, with a focus on cultivating a safe and inclusive working environment for sustainable future trade.
Dorothea Ioannou, Chief Executive Officer at Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Managers of The American P&I Club contributed to a panel on U.S. leaders’ perspectives on the global shipping industry, followed by another panel where women shipping leaders shared insights on maintaining gender diversity in the industry.
The conference revolved around key challenges and opportunities in the shipping industry, and featured in-depth discussions with industry professionals, regulators, law enforcement agencies, and maritime academies. Topics included labor shortages, regulatory changes, national and financial security, and ship safety.
