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This space is dedicated to spotlighting the incredible women shaping the world of yachting. From brokers to creatives, founders to captains — each post offers a glimpse into who they are, what they do, and how to connect with them.

Winnes

Women's Yachting Awards

meet the 2025 winners

Rosie O'Donnell | 2025 WYA Trailblazer of the Year

Rosie O’Donnell is Chief Project Leader at Yachts for Science, connecting private yachts with marine research initiatives worldwide. With 30+ years in yachting—from offshore racing to youth sailing programs—she drives collaborations that advance ocean conservation and create meaningful impact at sea.

Sophie Spicknell | 2025 WYA Rising Star of the Year

Sophie Spicknell is News Editor at SuperYacht Times, based in Amsterdam. She leads editorial coverage of superyacht news, features, and human-centered stories, highlighting innovation, design, and industry voices. Sophie is passionate about inclusivity, mentorship, and shaping a transparent, diverse yachting community.

Jill Bobrow | 2025 WYA Entrepreneur of the Year

Jill Bobrow is a renowned journalist, editor, and author with a distinguished career in the superyacht industry spanning several decades. She was the Founding Editor of Boat International USA, Editor-in-Chief of ShowBoats International, and Editor-at-Large for Yachts International.

Finalists

meet the 2025 finalists

Nada Serafini | Head of Sales of Pershing and Itama brands

Head of Sales for Pershing and Itama at Ferretti Group, Nada Serafini leads global sales, dealer networks, and brand development for two iconic yacht brands. With over 30 years in yachting, she combines commercial leadership, market expertise, and mentorship rooted in passion and loyalty.

Georgina Menheneott | Head of Sustainability at Burgess

Head of Sustainability at Burgess, Georgina Menheneott drives meaningful sustainability across the superyacht industry. With a background spanning sales, market expansion, and strategy, she focuses on turning ambition into action through measurable impact, collaboration, and innovation.

Gayle Patterson | Director of Yachting at Pelorus Yachting

Director of Yachting at Pelorus Yachting, Gayle Patterson leads experiential charter strategy from Monaco, blending superyachting with expedition travel. With 18+ years in luxury travel and yachting, she champions purposeful exploration, sustainability, and immersive, boundary-pushing voyages.

Laura Pomponi | CEO & Founder, Luxury Projects Atelier Architecture & Design Studio

CEO & Founder, Luxury Projects Atelier Architecture & Design Studio. Laura Pomponi leads high-end superyacht and residential design worldwide, combining engineering precision with creative vision. A former superyacht project manager with a PhD in Electronic Engineering, she delivers integrated, forward-thinking luxury solutions.

Carla Guilhem | Creative Designer at C. Guilhem Design LLC

Creative Designer at C. Guilhem Design LLC. Carla Guilhem is an award-winning interior designer specializing in bespoke superyacht and luxury residential interiors. Based in Miami, she is known for innovative design, global experience, and multiple BOAT International and World Yachts Trophy wins.

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members

YACHT FEMME MEMBERS

Monica Fonseca | Founder of Fonseca Advisory

Monica Fonseca is the Founder of Fonseca Advisory, a boutique consultancy connecting UHNWIs, family offices, investors, and luxury brands with exclusive opportunities in yacht sales and charter, off-market real estate, strategic introductions, and luxury asset advisory worldwide.

Svetlana Moji Džakula | Owner & Creative Director at Salt & Water

Svetlana Mojić Džakula is Founder and Creative Director of Salt & Water, an award-winning studio specializing in yacht interiors, refits, and floating architecture. With 30+ years of sailing experience and a background in architecture, she creates elegant, functional, buildable spaces for life on the water across Europe and beyond.

Lou Clark | Business Development & Yacht Charter Broker at Centtrip & Amwax Prime Yacht Charters

Lou Clark is a Business Development Manager at Centtrip and a Retail Yacht Charter Broker with Amwax Prime Yacht Charters. Originally from Australia, she spent over 15 years working aboard yachts before transitioning into brokerage and business development. Now based in Florida, she is a licensed and bonded yacht broker and CPYB-certified professional, combining extensive on-water experience with deep industry expertise.

Candice Christiansen | Co-Founder of Charter Itinerary

Based in Monaco, she spent a decade in yacht management before launching CI in 2021, now used by over 70% of brokerage houses and hundreds of Captains worldwide.

Alison Vassallo | Partner at Fenech & Fenech Advocates

With over 20 years’ experience in superyacht law, she advises owners, financiers and shipyards on sale, registration, finance and regulatory matters, and has contributed to Malta’s national superyacht policy and EU-level proceedings.

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podcast-guests

Featured Podcast Guests

Eleonora Pitasso | Founder & CEO of The Wayvecoming

Eleonora is a superyacht expert with 20+ years of experience in brokerage, new-builds, and shipyard consultancy. Multilingual and internationally trained, she advises clients globally while championing sustainability and leadership in the yachting industry.

Danielle McLaren | Managing Director of Yotspot

Danielle McLaren is the Managing Director of Yotspot, the leading job platform for the yachting industry. Based in Southampton, she drives strategy, marketing, finance, and team leadership. With a background in business and a love for great white sharks, she’s helping modernize yachting through smart tech and teamwork.