2024 Highlights

Guillermina del Pino

Head of Project Logistics Americas

Siemens Energy Inc

Guillermina del Pino is a global logistics leader, with 24 years of experience in the field. She is responsible for Siemens Energy Project Logistics Americas, working to drive success both on planning and project execution.
  
Guillermina has lived in Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, currently resides in the US, and has seen firsthand how strong partnerships, diversity and teamwork leads not only to greater results and people engagement, but also increases the sense of belonging within organizations. 
Guillermina enjoys hiking, crafting, and traveling.

 

Lieutenant Savanna L. Vandehei

Port State Control Officer

Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City

Lieutenant Savanna Vandehei is a Port State Control Officer assigned to Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City. Her primary duties consist of conducting examinations of foreign commercial vessels to determine regulatory compliance. A former investigator, she has experience involving marine casualty investigations, suspension and revocation investigations, and regulatory enforcement.
 
Prior to this assignment, she earned her Journeyman Marine Inspector designation while at Sector Mobile, AL. She led inspections for U.S. and foreign commercial vessels, ensuring compliance with international and domestic law. Her first assignment was on Coast Guard Cutter DOUGLAS MUNRO as a student engineer in Kodiak, AK.  
 
Lieutenant Vandehei commissioned from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2017 with her B.S. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. She is a native of Monroe, WA and currently lives in Houston, TX with her husband Ryan, daughter Mavis, and two dogs, Max and Winnie. 

 

Victoria Malbrough

Process Specialist and Compliance Leader

Shell Oil and Trading

Victoria Malbrough is an accomplished process specialist with a unique background in regulatory compliance, business development, and human resources. Currently working at Shell Oil and Trading, Victoria serves as a subject matter expert in regulatory operations, helping to streamline processes, support the implementation of emerging regulations, and create more efficient ways of working. She thrives on problem-solving and is dedicated to optimizing business practices in a constantly evolving industry. Her role includes supporting low-carbon fuels (LCF) operations and contributing to the growth of this dynamic sector by collaborating with commercial teams and regulatory experts. This experience provides a solid foundation for navigating the complexities and uncertainties faced in today’s business landscape.
 
With a deep background in talent management, human resources, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Victoria brings a people-focused approach to her work. She has a proven track record of leading cultural transformation efforts, coaching senior leadership teams on resolving complex HR issues, and launching initiatives that improve team morale and inclusivity. Her expertise in fostering healthy, cohesive workplaces makes her a strong advocate for women in the maritime and energy sectors.

Victoria is passionate about empowering women to find their voices and thrive in professional environments, no matter how uncertain the times. She has hosted several women empowerment events and continues to champion DEI efforts, believing that diverse voices are key to fostering innovation and growth.”

 

Eddie Sullivan

Director, Business Development

General Informatics

Eddie Sullivan is a seasoned technology expert with over 25 years of experience in the supply chain and logistics industry, including 18 years dedicated to port and terminal operations. He has spent more than 14 years with General Informatics, formerly Versiant, where he has honed his skills in various ERP, TOS, TMS, EDI, and 3rd-party interfaced applications, along with comprehensive knowledge in systems, network, and overall infrastructure managed services.

Eddie's impressive track record includes involvement in multiple early-stage organizations, where he built initial teams and strategies, and contributed to two IPOs and three acquisitions. In his current role, Eddie works closely with clients to develop and implement cutting-edge security, data analytics, and AI strategies, solidifying his reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the technology sector.

 

Kasey Eckstein

Founder & Executive Director

WIMOs Association

Kasey Eckstein is the President of Eckstein Trade & Transport ("ET&T), as well as the Founder & Executive Director of WIMOs Association. 

Kasey's career in the Maritime Industry began in 2014 when she started selling barge freight at Marquette Transportation. Marquette is a company that Kasey's grandfather, Ray Eckstein, founded and she realized that she was given many opportunities that other women in the industry were not. In 2017, Kasey founded WIMOs Association, which is an organization for Women In Maritime Operations. WIMOs works to Educate, Engage and Elevate women working for maritime operators and the organization has over 1,000 individual members (350+ member companies) across 33 states and 4 countries. Kasey was the youngest Director to ever sit on the board of the Mississippi Valley Trade & Transport Council, was the youngest recipient of the Inland Marine Expo's 40 Under 40 award in 2018 and was recognized as a Top Women in Maritime by Marine Log Magazine in 2021. Kasey also sits on the board of Breakbulk Americas. 

Kasey started Eckstein Trade & Transport in 2022, which is a Certified Woman-Owned Small Business and Texas HUB Certified business specializing in Maritime Transportation, Raw Materials Supply and Maritime Recruitment Services. 
 

 

Luke Mace

Senior Vice President

GEODIS Project Logistics

Luke has been with GEODIS for over 14 years, spending the last seven years in his current capacity of Global Senior Vice President for Project Logistics. Starting his logistics career in his home country of Australia more than 25 years ago, Luke then moved to Singapore where he joined GEODIS and took the role of Director for South-East Asia.

After five years in the region, including serving as the Managing Director of GEODIS Indonesia, Luke and his wife moved to Houston in 2014 where he is still based today. Luke has a comprehensive understanding of the industry and is passionate about exploring different cultures and systems and their connection to logistics.

In his role as SVP, Luke leads a team of more than 600 full time staff, located in 36 countries. He is also a member of the GEODIS Freight Forwarding Board
 

Gretchen Sheirr

President of Business Operations

Houston Rockets

Thomas Skellingsted

President

4D Supply Chain Consulting

Thomas Skellingsted joined 4D Supply Chain Consulting in 2021. He is President of the company and based out of London, UK and Houston, Texas, USA. 

He has a proven track record of both theoretical and practical experience. He gained a degree in Strategy Management from IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland, and a degree in Management Execution. 

Thomas Skellingsted has more than 30 years of experience within transport and logistics—starting in the transport industry as a freight forwarder trainee in 1988 in Denmark and since then holding various management roles. 
 

Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum

Martha Castex-Tatum, a dynamic community advocate, won the May 5, 2018, special election, to fill the unexpired term of the late Council Member Larry Green for District K, which stretches across southwest Houston into Fort Bend County. Breaking barriers, Martha started her public service journey as the first African American female on the San Marcos, TX city council, earning the role of Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem.

A native of District K, Martha entered her first full four-year term in January 2020, and was unanimously elected as the City of Houston's Vice Mayor Pro-Tem by Mayor Sylvester Turner and her Council peers. In January 2024, Martha was appointed Mayor Pro-Tem by Mayor John Whitmire. Martha's dedication extends nationally, where she serves on the National League of Cities’ Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee, recently appointed as Vice Chair, and is a member of the National League of Cities 2024 Presidential Election Task Force.

As the Immediate Past President of the Texas Municipal League, Martha oversees services for 1,150 member cities, reflecting her unwavering passion for public service. Martha is a Leadership Houston Class XXXVI graduate, a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a member of the Missouri City Chapter of Links, Inc. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas State University.

Beyond her impressive professional journey, Martha is the proud mother of one son, Jacob Paul Tatum. Her desire is to restore faith in government and foster a stronger, connected community at local, state and national levels.

She aims to restore faith in government and foster a stronger, connected community at local, state, and national levels.

Rick Bohne

Commercial Development Director

Mammoet

Rick Bohne is a 4th generation Operating Engineer and has over 20 years of experience in the lifting and rigging industry. 

With extensive experience in hands-on roles focused on planning, coordinating, and executing lifting, rigging, and transport solutions for large-scale projects and turnarounds in the Oil & Gas industry—as well as providing specialized services for the Nuclear, Wind Power Generation, and Power Transmission sectors—Rick has developed a diverse and comprehensive skill set. This multi-disciplinary background gives him unique insights, enabling him to understand client needs and common challenges across industries that require heavy-lift and heavy-transport solutions.

Rick’s current role is as Mammoet USA’s Commercial Development Director.

 

Jake Swanson

Regional Vice President- Americas Operations, Industrial Projects

DHL Global Forwarding

Jake Swanson is the Regional Head of the Americas Region for DHL Industrial Projects.

He has worked with DHL for 5 years in various capacities within the Industrial Projects group.  He has worked in the transportation and logistics industry for over 20 years, and has experience on the EPC, Project ocean carrier and freight forwarder sides of the industry. He graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation and then spent a year sailing on container vessels.

Jake holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Houston.

 

Kattya Distefano

Founder

Kattya & Co.

Kattya Distefano is the founder of Kattya & Co., a firm dedicated to helping businesses thrive through strategy, events, and wellness. With a degree in Art from the Art Institute and an associate degree from Houston Community College, she brings over 20 years of experience in international sales, marketing, and business development across various sectors, including marine, oil and gas, energy, and logistics.

Her passion for sustainability and environmental awareness informs her work, as she aims to create impactful strategies that align with modern corporate values. Kattya's global perspective, shaped by her experiences living in Japan and South Africa, enables her to develop innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by organizations today.

She is committed to fostering a culture of wellness and resilience within businesses, ensuring they not only succeed but also contribute positively to their communities

Kattya & Co. and Stressie Inc. have partnered to revolutionize how the industrial sector manages wellbeing, focusing on the often-overlooked logistics industry. In a world increasingly built on technology, we must not forget the essential jobs that keep it moving. Together, we create a unique, human-centered wellness approach enabled by technology, bringing wellness directly into the hands of those in high-stress environments. Whether it’s a corporate retreat, connection-boosting workshops, or micro wellness solutions through our app, we have you covered. Our comprehensive approach ensures that employees have access to the tools and support they need to thrive, fostering a culture of health and resilience that empowers both individuals and organizations.

Amanda Duhon

VP & Regional Director, North and Central America

Energy Industries Council

2021 Power Play Awards Finalist ǀ TE 100 Women in Energy Transition ǀ Regional Director (North & Central America) ǀ Commercial Diplomacy ǀ Public Policy & Administration ǀ Business Development ǀ All things ENERGY

Amanda joined the EIC (Energy Industries Council) in April 2015. With over 20 years business development experience in international trade and policy, Amanda is an expert in commercial diplomacy, energy, environment and infrastructure, market intelligence, industry stakeholder engagement, business strategy and consultancy.

Prior to joining the EIC, Amanda was Director, Business Development North America with Trade & Investment Queensland, Australia. She played an integral role in the establishment of the North America office following the state government’s reorganization of its trade and investment arm and working with senior management to establish its regional and sector strategy. Amanda worked to build relationships with key industry stakeholders in the USA, Canada and Mexico, while providing dedicated support to Queensland-based industry by promoting Queensland’s capabilities and know-how and, assisted North American pension funds in identifying key investment opportunities around infrastructure in Queensland

From 2010 to 2014, Amanda worked with the Department for International Trade (formally UK Trade & Investment), at the British Consulate-General Houston. As Vice Consul for Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Amanda led on trade and investment between the US and UK across the Southwest US region with a focus on power, wind (onshore and offshore), environment and transportation and water infrastructure. Amanda was keenly focused on infrastructure, spearheading the organization’s USA water high value opportunity campaign. During this time, Amanda served on the Young Professionals Board of the Texas Water Foundation, was published in World Water Magazine highlighting the excellence of the UK water industry around technology and infrastructure and advised government/non-government around privatization and investment in infrastructure, including water, energy and transportation.

Among her accomplishments, Amanda played an integral role in founding a non-profit microfinance institution in 2007, focusing on non-traditional forms of lending to small-business entrepreneurs around the world. Amanda currently serves on the organisation’s Advisory Board, with key industry stakeholders including a Nobel Laureate. Amanda holds a Masters in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy and Administration, and a Bachelors in International Relations. Amanda is a Board Member of the British American Business Council of Texas (BABC Texas), an Advisory Board Member of the Center for International Studies, University of St. Thomas, Houston, an Advisor Board Member for the Transition Economist 100 Women in Energy, an Advisory Board Member for the Hydrogen Economist 50 Women in Hydrogen, and active in many other industry groups. Most recently, Amanda worked with 130 experts across energy, academia, trade, and policy to deliver the National Petroleum Council’s (NPC) report to the US Secretary of Energy on Carbon Capture, Use and Storage to define pathways that would lead to deployment at scale, and is an Expert Contributor for Mexico Business News, among other publications throughout her career.

On a personal note, Amanda has two children, Inez who is a recent graduate of the University of Houston and Maximilien who is in kindergarten. Amanda loves reading and writing fiction and short stories, aspires to be a good golfer, loves live music, is a part of Cleopatra Krewe of New Orleans, and mentors and coaches young professional women in Houston.

Madeline Inzenga

Associate

Norton Rose Fulbright

Madeline Inzenga is a commodity trading, shipping, and offshore energy lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright.

Madeline has represented vessel owners, port authorities, energy companies, chemical plants, construction companies, and contractors in shipping and energy litigation matters. Madeline routinely assists energy companies and commodity traders to avoid disputes and mitigate risks by advising on proposed trading and shipping operations, with particular emphasis on unique Jones Act, Cargo Preference Act, and U.S. general maritime law issues. She has experience advocating for clients on matters involving the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Maritime Administration.

Madeline currently serves as Secretary for the Texas chapter of YoungShip, a networking organization for young professionals in the global maritime industry. She graduated from Tulane University Law School, where she received the Charles Kohlmeyer Jr. Award in Maritime Law. 


 

Rebecca Dunn

ECO Delivery & Sustainable Product Manager, Regional Surcharges and VAS

Maersk

Rebecca Dunn is a Sustainable Product Manager at Maersk, where she serves as the North American focal for ocean climate regulations as well as Maersk’s flagship ocean decarbonization product, ECO Delivery. Rebecca works to educate internal and external stakeholders on the importance of ocean shipping decarbonization and leads discussions with sustainability and procurement professionals on the realities of what this might look like. Prior to joining Maersk in December 2022, Rebecca worked in a variety of roles across companies such as Meta, WWF, Boston University, and COIN, where she led research, copywriting, and grant writing on subjects such as China’s overseas finance, international development and decarbonization, impact investing, and other areas.

Rebecca has published in Environmental Research Letters and in the Conversation US regarding ocean shipping emissions and has volunteered in the cities where she has lived to educate citizens on small scale sustainable solutions. Rebecca received her Master’s degree from Boston University where she wrote her master’s thesis on, you guessed it, ocean shipping emissions. 

Austin Specter

Director, Logistics Strategy

GE Renewable Energy

Austin Specter is the Logistics Strategy Leader at GE Vernova, where he leads a global logistics team and manages the commercial buy for logistics.

With a strong focus on cost optimization and process improvement, Austin has developed a five-year roadmap for Onshore Wind. His extensive experience includes senior roles in logistics and packaging at GE and Caterpillar, where he consistently delivered significant cost savings.

Austin loves college sports as well as volunteering in the community.

Lars Schoennemann

Managing Director

BBC Chartering Singapore Pte Ltd

Lars Schoennemann began his journey with BBC Chartering when joining APC, the joint venture between BBC and Clipper, in Singapore in 2004. In 2006, Lars relocated to the BBC head office in Leer, where he took on a position as Chartering Manager. In 2011, he moved back to Singapore, assuming the role of the Managing Director of BBC Chartering Singapore, which had emerged from the APC joint venture in 2009.

Lupita M. Almuhana

Founder and CEO

Stressie

Lupita M. Almuhana is the founder and CEO of Stressie, a corporate wellness platform that delivers personalized, psychology-backed solutions for employee wellbeing. With over two decades of experience in corporate wellness solutions, retreats, community interventions, and the industrial and logistics sectors, she deeply understands high-stress environments.

Her work includes collaborations with organizations like Kaiser, Apple, and the Golden State Warriors and extensive research on stress and human behavior.

Lupita now helps companies scale stress management solutions and offers talks on Employee Wellbeing, Burnout, and Resilience in the workplace.

Kattya & Co. and Stressie Inc. have partnered to revolutionize how the industrial sector manages wellbeing, focusing on the often-overlooked logistics industry. In a world increasingly built on technology, we must not forget the essential jobs that keep it moving. Together, we create a unique, human-centered wellness approach enabled by technology, bringing wellness directly into the hands of those in high-stress environments. Whether it’s a corporate retreat, connection-boosting workshops, or micro wellness solutions through our app, we have you covered. Our comprehensive approach ensures that employees have access to the tools and support they need to thrive, fostering a culture of health and resilience that empowers both individuals and organizations.

Dr. Ferenc Pasztor

Head of Ports and Specialised Shipping Research

Drewry

Dr. Ferenc Pasztor is Head of Ports and Specialised Shipping Research at Drewry with more than 13 years' experience in academic research and shipping. Ferenc oversees research and related business development in the areas of ports & terminals, shipping containers, breakbulk and reefer shipping, manning and ship operating costs. Prior to his current role, he worked in market research and consulting at Maritime Strategies International, focussing on offshore wind, oil & gas and other, niche sectors.

Drewry is a leading international provider of research and consulting services to the maritime and shipping industry. From its origins in 1970 London to a 21st century maritime and shipping consultancy, Drewry has established itself as one of the most widely used and respected sources of impartial market insight, industry analysis and advice. Offering a unique combination of sector knowledge, rich market insight and commercial awareness, Drewry is able to consistently deliver the performance and competitive advantage its clients seek. 


 

Patrick Hyslop

Event Director, Breakbulk

Hyve

Patrick Hyslop is a seasoned event management professional with over 15 years of experience in global event planning.

As the Event Director for Breakbulk Americas and Europe, Patrick is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of the world’s premier exhibitions for the project cargo and breakbulk industry