Ade Solorzano: Chief Mate Advocating for Safety, Visibility, and the Next Generation of Women at Sea

Ade Solorzano understands firsthand what it means to build a maritime career in spaces where women are still underrepresented. As a Chief Mate with Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, she has spent years navigating the operational demands of life at sea while developing a strong focus on maritime safety and vessel operations. Along the way, she has also become deeply committed to helping other women see a place for themselves in the industry.

Originally from Mexico, Ade’s career has unfolded on vessels where women often remain the minority. Those experiences shaped her perspective on leadership, resilience, and the importance of visibility. Early in her career, she noticed that many women entering the industry faced similar challenges. Isolation, limited guidance, and a lack of visible role models can make the first years at sea especially difficult.

For Ade, that reality became a motivation rather than a barrier. She believes that seeing women succeed in operational roles can shift expectations and open doors for the next generation of maritime professionals. Representation, she says, can change what younger women believe is possible for their own careers.

This belief is what drew her to the Women Offshore community. The organization’s mission of supporting professional development, mentorship, and advocacy closely reflects the values she has developed throughout her career. Ade sees the Ambassador role as an opportunity to share her journey openly and honestly, including both the milestones and the lessons learned along the way.

She hopes that by sharing the realities of life at sea, more women will feel encouraged to pursue deck and operational roles that have traditionally been considered unconventional paths. By talking about both successes and setbacks, she wants to help normalize the learning process and build confidence in women who may be just starting their careers offshore.

As a Women Offshore Ambassador, Ade plans to actively engage with the community through conversations, mentorship, and storytelling. She also hopes to amplify the Women Offshore mission across her professional and social platforms while continuing to advocate for greater visibility of women working at sea.

For Ade, the Ambassador role represents more than recognition. It is an opportunity to give back to an industry that has shaped her career while helping make the maritime field more accessible and inclusive for those who will follow.

Her advice to women considering a career at sea reflects the mindset that carried her through her own journey.

“Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. Maritime careers are built through experience, persistence, and the courage to step into spaces where you might be the first, but not the last.”

Through leadership, visibility, and mentorship, Ade Solorzano is helping ensure that the next generation of women entering maritime will see more opportunities and more role models waiting for them on the water.