Charting a Course for Community & Boating Careers

Last week’s Women Making Waves event at the Columbia Yacht Club was an overwhelming success, bringing together 50 professional women from the Chicago maritime industry! Despite dropping temperatures and gridlock holiday traffic, the turnout was incredible—proving just how vital these conversations are.

Kudos to organizers Jennifer Smith Angone and Captain Diamond Gibbs for creating a truly catalytic space. Jennifer Angonne set the tone, highlighting the collective commitment of the attendees:

“You have invested a ton of time, a ton of resources, studying, investing in your careers”, noted Jennifer… “and once we opened up the RSVP list, it seemed like all of the professional women just came out of the woodwork! This is just more proof in the pudding that conversations and empowerment, and events like this, need to happen.”

If you’re online searching “boating careers”, “boat jobs”, or “jobs on yachts”- you need to join us! 

“Three Whats” of Empowerment

Jennifer described the philosophy of “What? So What? and What Next?” shared with her by Nick Philp, General Manager of Columbia Yacht Club. This event is not “one and done.” It’s a catalyst for continued networking, empowering one another, and building a lasting community.

Captain Diamond Gibbs shared the sentiment, noting the enthusiasm for ongoing networking events:

“I had a lot of women talking to me about the need for another women on the water event, as it had been about 5 years since the last event… Luckily, Jennifer here was agreeing with me, and she said, Let’s put something together, and now here we are.”

Charting Your Future.

A key focus was connecting women with opportunities. From discussing Captain’s licensing and time on the water to finding delivery work or making a career in the maritime trades—this industry is one of those valuable “pockets” where AI isn’t affecting us. “It’s analog. It’s who we know, who you know, what you know—that’s the power”, notes Jennifer.

This is about recognizing and celebrating the “PhDs on the water”—women like Captain Diamond Gibbs and Captain Capt. Attia Gray who command 93-ton vessels up and down the Chicago River.

A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors, First Lady and INTERNATIONAL SHIPMASTERS ASSOCIATION – CHICAGO LODGE NO 3 (represented by Captain Kelli Kovach), whose support speaks volumes about their commitment to supporting women in this field. 

What’s Next?

We’re already thinking about what’s next, with potential meet-ups in mid-February and a date set for November 19th next year on First Lady! Let’s keep this momentum going!

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#WomenMakingWaves #ChicagoMaritime #MaritimeIndustry #Networking #WomenInLeadership #CaptainDiamondGibbs #JenniferAngonne