Nisha Barlow | COO of Engel & Völkers Yachting

As COO of Engel & Völkers Yachting, Nisha Barlow leads global operations from Sarasota, Florida—driving record sales growth while expanding the brand’s international footprint and deepening collaboration with its real estate powerhouse, Engel & Völkers. From scaling one of the largest online yacht listing platforms in the U.S. to integrating her own brokerage into a globally recognized luxury brand, Nisha’s career reflects bold pivots, operational rigor, and a relentless focus on growth.

Nisha’s path into yachting wasn’t conventional. Her early career was rooted in public relations in Washington, D.C., where she worked with major brands like Bloomingdale's and publications including The Washington Post, Glamour, and Mademoiselle. But everything changed when she was invited to be “rail meat” in a regatta in St. Mary's. That first sail sparked a life-altering decision: she left D.C. for the Virgin Islands to immerse herself in life at sea.

She began working aboard a 62-foot 1929 Alden schooner in the Caribbean, later taking on deliveries and daysail operations throughout the region. When she transitioned to Florida to raise her four children, she pivoted again—this time into yacht brokerage. Over the next decade, she helped build a startup internet-based yacht brokerage into one of the country’s largest listing sites. Eventually, she launched her own brokerage with a partner, which was later rolled into Engel & Völkers Yachting.

Today, Nisha focuses on developing internal operations, strengthening global presence, and aligning yachting with the broader real estate brand. She is currently engaged in major industry events such as the Miami Boat Show and is working toward her next milestone: sustained record sales growth.

Reflecting on her journey, Nisha emphasizes resilience and clarity—particularly what it takes for a woman to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated industry. While she has built and scaled multiple departments, her greatest fulfillment comes from meaningful human connection—the relationships and places she would never have discovered otherwise.

Looking ahead, one personal goal remains close to her heart: rediscovering sailing for herself, whether back in the Caribbean or somewhere new, like Europe.

Short Bio:

Nisha Barlow is COO of Engel & Völkers Yachting, leading global operations and driving record sales growth from Sarasota, Florida. A former PR executive turned yacht brokerage leader, she scaled one of the largest U.S. listing platforms before integrating her own firm into the global luxury brand.

Get in touch with Nisha

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishabarlow/