Women Shaping Maritime: Voices from Mintra
Mintra has recently been named Top Maritime Performer in the Women in Transport Equity Index, recognised for our commitment to inclusive hiring, transparent performance tracking, and measurable progress on gender equity in one of the world’s most traditionally male-dominated industries. Being ranked first in the maritime sector is a proud milestone, clear proof that our drive for equity is making a tangible difference.
This recognition is about more than policy. It reflects the expertise, leadership, and lived experiences of the women who are helping shape the future of maritime from within Mintra’s teams. Industry-wide advances in automation, digital shipping technologies, and the growth of shore-based roles are creating more opportunities for women than ever before. At Mintra, women now make up 43% of our global workforce, many bringing invaluable insight from shipboard and customer-side maritime roles.
Their perspectives reveal what makes this industry so distinctive, from the pride of supporting seafarers thousands of miles from home to the challenge and excitement of driving digital transformation across borders and cultures. We spoke to several of them to hear how their careers have evolved, what draws them to maritime, and why this fast-moving, global industry continues to inspire and challenge them.
For Jessica Suessmilch, Digital Learning Development Manager, the real difference lies in the human impact of her work. “We’re not just designing systems,” she says. “We’re designing support for people who are often overlooked, thousands of miles from home, working under intense conditions. My work isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about making sure every hour of training a seafarer spends is valuable, applicable and respectful of their time and energy.” The responsibility of serving people in one of the most demanding environments in the world, she adds, drives her to “innovate with purpose, because what we do can literally save lives or prevent burnout.”
That sense of purpose is echoed by Erle Kristin Wagle, Director, Maritime Strategy and Business Development, who is proud to work in an industry that keeps the global economy moving. “85% of the world’s trade is moved by sea,” she says. “To be part of such an important and truly global industry is very unique and feels very meaningful.”
Kirsten McAuley, Business Development & TMS Manager, adds that the pace of change in maritime is a big part of its appeal. “Being so involved in supporting digitalisation within the sector is amazing,” she explains. “It’s an exciting journey that I’m proud to be on. I work with a mixture of maritime and energy clients. The variety in my role keeps things dynamic and fresh.”
For Product Manager, Andri Anastasiou, the maritime industry is more than just a job, it’s a way of life. “Living on an island gives me a deeper understanding of how vital the maritime industry is to keeping society and the economy running,” she says. “Working in a high-demand sector that crosses borders, time zones and cultures adds complexity, but it also makes it incredibly unique. Every action has a ripple effect. Maritime may be invisible to many, but to those of us working in it, we know it’s a lifeline, being part of that brings both pride and purpose.”
Yet, as Emmanolia Kolias, Channel Director, points out, entering the industry as a woman can still be a striking experience. “One of the first things I noticed was that I was often the only female in the room,” she says. “It was a powerful reminder that there’s still progress to be made and it made me even more determined to play my part in shaping a more inclusive future.”
That global, multicultural dimension is something Chief Technology Officer Siren Berge knows well. “Maritime is unlike any other industry,” she explains. “It’s a mobile, global workplace with a multicultural workforce. Delivering workforce management and digital training to seafarers who may have limited internet access, in multiple languages, with legislation that varies by region, is complex, but also incredibly rewarding.”
For Siren, it all comes down to impact: “We’re reaching thousands of seafarers, delivering safety-critical training and education that can shape a better onboard culture, one that values communication, health, and diversity. That’s what drives me: creating a safer, more inclusive maritime industry and helping pave the way for more women to thrive in it.”