Originally from Kazakhstan, Jelena has lived in France and Monaco for 16 years. With 13 years in the yachting industry, she works as a Yacht Broker at Ocean Independence in Monaco, specializing in both yacht sales and charter. She combines technical expertise with creativity, managing yacht transactions and organizing charter itineraries for clients.
Her daily work includes client meetings, shipyard visits, marketing campaigns, and staying updated on industry trends. Jelena is particularly proud of her involvement in a Costa Rica Fam Trip aboard the iconic Christina O and an upcoming exclusive collaboration with an Italian shipyard.
Jelena embraces the growing gender equality in yachting and is passionate about sustainability within the industry, seeing potential in technologies like fuel-cell-powered yachts. Outside of work, she balances her career with being a mother of two boys, offering advice to younger generations: pursue your dreams, but be ready for hard work and stress.

Can you introduce yourself by sharing your name, where you're from, your role in the yachting industry, and the company you work for?
My name is Jelena. I am originally from Kazakhstan, but I have been living in France and Monaco for the past 16 years. Currently, I work at Ocean Independence in Monaco as a Yacht Broker.
Can you share how you first got involved in the yachting industry?
Nothing in my background foreshadowed a career in yachting, as I had studied Economics and Management and had never worked on yachts before. However, the planets aligned in a certain way, and in 2012, I was headhunted by two recruitment companies for a Junior Sales Broker position at Sunseeker Monaco. I took it as a sign from the Universe that I should follow this path, and here I am, 13 years later.
Can you describe your role and the key tasks you handle? What does your job entail on a daily basis?
I am a Yacht Sales Broker, specializing in selling both brokerage and new-construction yachts, as well as chartering yachts for my clients. It’s uncommon for brokers to handle both sales and charters due to the differing skill sets and the way the industry is structured. However, I find that combining the two allows me to maintain the right balance.
Organizing a charter is, by far, more enjoyable and creative than selling a yacht. It involves crafting unique itineraries and exploring fabulous destinations for yachts, which aligns perfectly with my passion for travel. I love planning these itineraries, knowing that my clients will have an unforgettable experience and create long-lasting memories with their families.
On the other hand, sales are more technical and legally oriented, as clients are purchasing a significant asset. The approach and mindset required for sales are very different from charters. Interestingly, I enjoy working on contracts and navigating the legal challenges that come with each deal.
For me, sales and chartering are complementary. Together, they keep my work dynamic and ensure I never get bored. 😊
Could you walk us through a typical workday, including your main tasks and projects?
What I like most about my work is that every day is different from the one before. However, every day as a Yacht Broker begins with reading Boat International and SuperYacht Times to stay updated on the latest industry news. There's always a lot happening in the yachting world, and I rely on my "daily digest" to stay on top of everything.
My tasks vary depending on the structure of the day, but they typically include meeting new clients and B2B partners, maintaining relationships with my existing portfolio, traveling to shipyards for tours and updates on new models, and visiting projects currently under my supervision. I also organize Zoom calls with surveyors and yacht managers, prepare mailing and marketing campaigns for yachts, manage my Central Agency (CA) listings, and generate content for social media through yacht viewings, articles, and captions.
Additionally, I attend boat shows, participate in conferences and networking events, and handle CRM housekeeping. The role is incredibly versatile and full of exciting adventures.
Can you describe what it's like to work for Ocean Independence? What is the work environment and company culture like?
The company has a strong name and reputation. Ocean Independence is a large organization, and working for such a well-structured entity requires respecting its corporate framework. We have several policies that every broker adheres to, which help guide the company and its team toward the same objectives. At our company, we have Agenda 2030, a shared vision that all collaborators are eagerly working toward. It serves as a kind of compass, providing guidance whenever you feel a bit lost. 😊
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment or proudest moment in the yachting industry?
I’ve just returned from one of the most amazing fam trips to Costa Rica aboard the iconic yacht Christina O. This event brought together some of the top charter brokers in the industry, and I am extremely happy and proud to have been part of it. The Christina O has always been a dream yacht for me, and experiencing it firsthand was truly a dream come true.
On the sales side, this week in Düsseldorf, I will be announcing a very exciting exclusive collaboration with a fast-growing Italian shipyard. I can’t share more details just yet, but I’ll certainly provide more insights during our interview.
It’s also difficult to choose a single proudest day because every sale is an achievement. There are no easy sales in this industry, so I am proud of every yacht I sell and build.
What changes have you observed in the industry since you began your career?
Yes, especially in terms of gender equality. When I started 13 years ago, there were only a handful of women in yachting. Now, more and more women are joining the industry, including in sales roles, and I am extremely delighted to see this fundamental shift in our industry's mentality.
To give you some context, the number of female UHNWI (Ultra High Net Worth Individual) clients has increased over the past decade, now accounting for 11% of the entire UHNWI clientele.
We are also in an era where Millennials and Generation Z are taking a lion’s share of the age demographic among HNWI owners. The real challenge lies in satisfying both these younger generations and the older generation of owners, who still play a significant role. From a marketing perspective, it’s crucial to target the whole family to ensure the message resonates across generations.
The rapid development of various social media channels and platforms has also been remarkable. Thirteen years ago, we primarily had Facebook and the early days of LinkedIn. Today, if you’re not present on Instagram, you essentially don’t exist. Being active on social media is now essential, regardless of age or position.
What is your vision for the future of the yachting industry?
The yachting industry is becoming more conscious of the environmental challenges our planet is facing, and sustainability has become a hot topic at every conference. The issue, however, is that there is no real budget allocated to implementing sustainability onboard. In fact, there isn’t even a dedicated line item in most management budgets for this purpose.
A survey conducted by Claire Ferandier Sicard from ETYC, one of the leading names in sustainability, revealed that out of 151 yachts surveyed, only one had a dedicated budget for sustainability. And we’re not talking about substantial figures—just €3,000. The term “greenwashing” has been frequently mentioned, as highlighted during the Quaynote Communications conference about Next Gen Owners, held last summer in Monaco.
That said, a new generation of yachts is entering the market with revolutionary systems onboard, such as fuel cell technology. For example, the 114-meter Lürssen superyacht Project Cosmos and Sanlorenzo's first fuel-cell-powered 50 Steel superyacht, delivered last autumn, represent significant advancements.
While there are serious efforts and notable shifts toward making the yachting industry greener, I believe the industry needs much more time. Currently, there is no infrastructure in place to fully support and align with these innovative technologies.
Is there something about you or your work that most people might not know?
I am a mother of two wonderful boys, Sebastien and Adrien, so for me, the main challenge is maintaining the right balance between work and family time. I believe this is where it can be more challenging for a woman to be a yacht broker. First and foremost, you are a mother, and only after that, a top sales or charter broker. Children need to see their mother as available and caring, not constantly glued to her mobile phone. It’s quite a challenge, isn’t it?
What advice would you give to your younger self, and what do you wish you had known on your first day in the yachting industry?
That it is freaking hard! Hahaha, I don’t know if I would have taken the same job if I had known about all the challenges I was going to face 13 years ago. Today, I’m glad to be where I am and grateful for everything I’ve managed to build, achieve, and overcome. But one thing is certain: Never stop following your dreams. To the younger generation, this is what I would say as well: If yachting is what you want to do, go for it—but be ready to work hard, with no set working hours, and your stress resistance sometimes pushed to the limit. But in the end, it is very rewarding, and we create great memories and make people really happy.
Get in touch with Jelena Vezia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyacht_girl/
Website: https://www.oceanindependence.com
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