11th Annual Women on the Water Conference Highlights Industry Leaders    

GALVESTON, Nov. 5, 2019 – The Texas A&M Maritime Academy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, will host the 11^th annual Women on the Water conference at Texas A&M University at Galveston on Thursday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 9.

This multi-day event highlights the successes of women in the maritime industry and encourages female cadets to prepare themselves for the ever-evolving industry. Attendees meet with industry leaders, maritime professionals, fellow students, and academy representatives in a series of workshops, mock interviews, one-on-one mentoring sessions and speeches from the maritime industry's top professionals. 

Industry speakers include Executive Vice President for Transit Business at the Panama Canal Authority Ilya Espino de Marotta, a 1985 graduate of A&M-Galveston; Pamela Skaufel, Director of Aviation and Marine Lubricants at ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants Co.; Founder of Women Offshore Ally Cedeno; and many more. 

Co-chairing the event are A&M-Galveston’s Department of Maritime Administration Head Dr. Joan Mileski and Department of Maritime Transportation Head Captain Augusta Roth. 

“The Women on the Water Conference supports women in the maritime field through workshops, networking opportunities and discussions of the challenges that women face as officers aboard ships,” Mileski said. “The women speakers and panelists are those who have successfully navigated the challenges giving advice and counsel to those entering the exciting and highly-dynamic maritime industry.” 

Roth added, “Attendees gain diverse viewpoints from women who have held a variety of positions in their organizations. Women can create their own stronger path if they know the obstacles and possible solutions from previously-used strategies to help them learn and succeed.”