Cristina Rangel

Corporate Director Of Human Resources

Encore Dredging Partners

Cynthia Worley

VP Strategic Accounts

SEDNA

[email protected]

"women should support each other, collaborate and share knowledge."

Diana Cortes

Marketing and International Sales

Servygru Allroads S. de R.L. de C.V

Mexico

[email protected]

To the women in BreakBulk: Just like logistics is the backbone of every successful operation, your role in this industry is crucial.

Women can bring balance, precision, and strength. Mentorship, continuous education, and collaboration are key to advancing your career and lifting others along the way.

Lisa Riley

Director

JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc.

United States

[email protected]

1) Don't be afraid to make decisions and take calculated risks.   2)  Keep your eye on the facts, facts and qualified analysis will win the day.  3) Just work with your customers and 4) Stay true to your own values and be yourself.   5) if you feel you are being treated, unfairly say something, but have facts straight and keep it concise, if the issue is not corrected then don't be afraid to consider your options.

Maria Cartier

Market Development Manager

Port of Milwaukee

United States

[email protected]

Sabeeta Bidasie Singh

Director, Business Equity

Port Houston

Sandra Guadarrama

Sr. Project Logistics Manager

Linde Engineering

United States

[email protected]

"Compete with yourself only, be open to learn from others every day and most importantly share the knowledge"

Siggy Row

Training and Development Coordinator

G&H Towing

Taylor Tarpey

Logistics Coordinator

Eckstein Trade & Transport “ET&T”

Cheryl Fee

Trainer

Emily Carruth

Business Development Manager for Industrial Projects

Gebruder Weiss

Gretchen Sheirr

President of Business Operations

Houston Rockets

Isha Yadav

Supply Chain Manager – Planning

Amazon

Jessica Nguyen

Trade Development Manager

Stand: Port Houston

Jessica Nguyen joined Port Houston as Trade Development Manager in May 2021.

In her present position, Nguyen is responsible for business development involving US West coast interests, Asia/transpacific route, and promotion of Port Houston’s capabilities for handling retail products, agriculture/cotton, and general imports.  She generates international and national trade that benefits the local economy by educating the public and maritime industry interests about the high quality of various specialties offered by Port Houston.

She has 16+ years of professional experience with ocean carriers, breakbulk, drayage providers, and BCOs.  Her most recent position prior to joining the port was as Sales Executive with Hapag-Lloyd (America), LLC where she had a 7-year tenure responsible over the US Gulf region.

Nguyen earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a masters in Advanced International Affairs from Texas A&M University.
 

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. 
 

 

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.

Leslie Meredith

Marketing & Media Director, Women in Breakbulk Chair

Breakbulk Events & Media

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. 

 

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.

Pamela Holdrup

Trainer

Stephanie Esparza

Terminal Manager

Galveston, Ports America

Taylor Dickerson

Vice President of Project Management

Kirby Corporation

Vanessa Richardson

Houston Rockets Sideline Reporter

Space City Home Network

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.”