EVENT Program
SUNY Maritime CollegeWELCOME TO YOUR PROGRAM!
Women Offshore is so glad you are here and we can’t wait to meet you today!
This event has been designed to propel you into a meaningful career on the water with a strong network, several resources, and so much more! You will learn from experienced mariners, USCG leadership, and industry professionals. We want you to leave this event inspired to go after your career dreams!
We also have a surprise for you! A good, professional headshot is important, especially on LinkedIn as you define your personal brand upon emerging into the industry. Women Offshore has sponsored a professional photographer to provide you a free headshot! Make sure to stop by the photo studio set up while the career fair is going on today!
THE 2023 WOMEN OFFSHORE STUDENT DAY IS POWERED BY
Friday, January 20th
Eastern Time (ET) – New York
Time
Session Description
Room, Building
0800-0900
Breakfast & Registration
Kick off your day with a light breakfast after checking in at registration. Grab your swag bag and name tag.
0900-0910
Welcome Remarks by Ally Cedeno, Founder of Women Offshore; Dr. Michael Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime College, & RAINA Barnes, board directoR of Student advocacy, Women Offshore
Ally Cedeno will welcome everyone to the first Women Offshore Student Day and share the importance of today’s sessions. Hear from Dr. Michael Alfultis, the President of SUNY Maritime, and Raina Barnes who will introduce the opening keynote speaker, Captain Zeita Merchant, USCG.
0910-1000
Opening Keynote Speaker: Captain Zeita Merchant, Sector Commander – Captain of the Port, Sector New York, USCG
Captain Zeita Merchant assumed command in May 2021 and directs all Coast Guard missions in the Port of New York and New Jersey. She is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of one of the Nation’s busiest and most economically important port complexes. Hear her inspiring story of leadership in the USCG!
1000-1030
Break
Visit the Coffee Bar sponsored by AMO
1030-1130
Panel Discussion: Digitalization of the Maritime Industry
The maritime industry is being digitized in many ways, connecting the physical world to the digital world. Physical systems are now online, improving how ships are operated. Vessel tracking, emissions control, predictive maintenance, supply chain visibility, and safety and welfare are just some examples. On this panel, learn from industry experts to see how they harness digitalization in their sectors for success.
Moderator: Raina Barnes, Instructor, Marine Transportation Department, SUNY Maritime College
Panelist: Jason Johnson, Voyage Operations Manager, bp
Panelist: Captain Lindsay Price, Director, Advocacy, Women Offshore
Panelist: Tami Francksen, Product Management, Terradepth
Panelist: Laila Linares, Sr. Program Manager U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
1130-1300
NETWORKING LUNCH SPONSORED BY bp
WOW Club Leadership, please meet in the MAC room 110 for a lunch and learn.
1300-1400
Panel Discussion: Finding Your Niche in the Maritime Industry
There are so many different paths in the maritime industry that it can be overwhelming and hard to choose what you want to do upon graduating from a maritime academy. You may be inclined to plan out your entire career at this stage of your life and wonder if you will thrive in the niche that you choose. On this panel, learn from industry experts about how they chose their sectors. Be inspired by their lessons learned and capture their wisdom to find your own niche in the maritime industry.
Moderator: Cassi Laskowski, Executive Director, Women Offshore
Panelist: Tami Francksen, Product Management, Terradepth
Panelist: Brooke Baldassari, Senior Products Scheduler, bp
Panelist: Raina Barnes, Instructor, Marine Transportation Department, SUNY Maritime College
Panelist: Captain Kaitlin McHattie, Pilot, Port Everglades Pilot Association
1400-1430
Break
Visit the Coffee Bar sponsored by AMO
1430-1530
Panel Discussion: Reporting & Response to Sexual Misconduct
Working on the water is a challenging experience, for anyone. Unfortunately, it is no secret sexual misconduct, from harassment to assault, has occurred on many vessels. However, together we can remove barriers for reporting, seek justice for victims, demand accountability for those who commit sexual misconduct, support bystander intervention and focus on culture change. Women Offshore aligned with the USCG and Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS) in its Sexual Assault and Violence Eradication Program, known as S.A.V.E. Hear from representatives at the upper echelons at the USCG and CGIS, as well as Maersk Line Limited on how their organizations are changing the maritime industry for the better.
Moderator: Ally Cedeno, Founder & President, Women Offshore Foundation
Panelist: Admiral Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Panelist: Jeremy Gauthier, Director, Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS)
Panelist: Marley Rakow, Maritime Cultural Transformation Superintendent, Maersk Line Limited
1530-1700
Career Fair
Attend the career fair to meet company representatives! Companies include Transocean, Maersk Line Limited, BP, Foss, Terradepth, AMO, Crowley, Edison Chouest Offshore, Hornbeck Offshore, Kongsberg, Houston Pilots, and MORE!
*A SPECICAL GIFT FOR YOU!* – Sponsored by the Women Offshore Foundation, get your professional headshot taken at the photo station! Use it to get your LinkedIn profile ready for the industry!
1700-2100
Happy Hour & Dinner Sponsored BY Crowley, Edison Chouest Offshore, and Women Offshore Foundation.
Dinner Keynote: Admiral Ann Phillips, Maritime Administrator, US MARAD
Rear Admiral Ann Phillips, US Navy (Ret.) was sworn in as the 20th Administrator for the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration on May 16, 2022. Get to know Admiral Phillips and be inspired by her career in the Navy and at the Maritime Administration.
Keynote Speakers
MEET OUR OPENING KEYNOTE
Captain Zeita Merchant, Sector Commander – Captain of the Port, Sector New York, USCG
Captain Zeita Merchant assumed command in May 2021 and directs all Coast Guard missions in the Port of New York and New Jersey. She is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of one of the Nation’s busiest and most economically important port complexes. Sector New York’s area of responsibility spans over 6,000 square miles from 200 miles offshore and inland to Albany, NY, and includes facilities and waterways moving hundreds of billions of dollars in cargo and tens of millions of passengers annually. Prior to joining Sector New York as Deputy Sector Commander in 2020, Captain Merchant was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Enjoying over 24 years of active-duty service, Captain Merchant is a recognized authority in maritime safety and security, and crisis management. She has served in a variety of assignments at the operational and executive levels and has been certified as one of the Coast Guard’s top Emergency Managers leading large-scale, multi-jurisdictional incident responses across the Nation.
DINNER KEYNOTE
Admiral Ann Phillips, Maritime Administrator, US MARAD
Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, US Navy (Ret.) was sworn in as the 20th Administrator for the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration on May 16, 2022. As head of the Maritime Administration, Phillips advises and assists the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters, to include the movement of goods, supply chain, as well as the U.S. maritime industry, environment and compliance, ports and waterways infrastructure, and strategic sealift. She engages public and private stakeholders in the maritime industry and oversees the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
Phillips also oversees MARAD’s programs to improve and modernize the nation’s maritime network by administering the unprecedented investment in ports and waterways made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $2.25 billion to be awarded over the next five years through the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $25 million for the America’s Marine Highway Program.
Meet the Founder
Ally Cedeno, Founder & President of the Women Offshore Foundation, USMMA 2008
Ally Cedeno is the founder and president of the Women Offshore Foundation, a 2008 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and a 2020 graduate of Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business with a Master’s in Business Administration. She is licensed as a chief mate of unlimited tonnage vessels and a dynamic positioning operator. Ally’s experience on the water spans both the maritime and offshore energy industries over the last 14 years. Ally spent much of her career at sea as one of the only women in operations on the vessels she worked on, yet she is determined to change that with the Women Offshore Foundation.
GET TO KNOW YOUR PANELISTS
Cassi Laskowski, Executive Director, Women Offshore Foundation
Brooke Baldassari, Senior Products Scheduler, bp
Jason Johnson, Voyage Operations Manager, bp
Jeremy Gauthier, Director, Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS)
Prior to his selection as Director, Mr. Gauthier served as an agent for over 20 years with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Most recently, he was the Strategic Advisor to the NCIS Director. Mr. Gauthier developed new initiatives and policies across mission areas, and engaged with executive leadership on behalf of the Director. Formerly, Mr. Gauthier served as the acting Executive Assistant Director and Assistant Director (AD) with the Cyber Directorate. He led 170 personnel, advanced cyber innovation for the agency, and coordinated investigations and operations in the cyber domain to detect, deter, and neutralize criminal and foreign intelligence threats to the Department of the Navy.
Mr. Gauthier’s prior leadership positions further include AD for Atlantic Operations, where he oversaw eight field offices and elements throughout the Eastern United States, Europe, the Middle East, and aboard carrier and expeditionary strike groups; Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC) of the Washington Field Office, where he oversaw criminal and counterintelligence activities in the National Capital Region, Delaware, Eastern Maryland, and West Virginia; and Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal Investigations and Operations Directorate (Criminal Directorate). His prior assignments include Division Chief for the Family Sexual Violence Program, Criminal Directorate; Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the Northeast Field Office; and Supervisory Special Agent assignments in the Northeast Field office and Contingency Response Field Office across criminal and national security disciplines.
Mr. Gauthier served 12 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, the last five of which were as a Marine Special Agent with NCIS at NCIS Resident Agency Parris Island, SC. In 2005, Mr. Gauthier transitioned to a civilian Special Agent with NCIS where he served in a variety of global assignments and mission areas, including NCIS Resident Agencies in Little Creek, VA, Al Asad, Iraq, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Newport, RI, and the Contingency Response Field Office, Glynco, GA.
Mr. Gauthier earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Park University while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
Captain Kaitlyn McHattie, Maritime Pilot, Port Everglades
Kaitlyn McHattie is a 2012 graduate of United States Merchant Marine Academy. Since graduating, she worked 7 years offshore on various vessels, including tankers, high speed craft, Alaskan ferries and container vessels traveling throughout the world, working up to her Unlimited Chief Mate license. In 2019, Kaitlyn achieved the top score for a nomination with Port Everglades Pilots and began her training. In 2022 Kaitlyn became a partner at Port Everglades Pilot Association, licensed to pilot unlimited length and draft vessels into port. Kaitlyn Robbins is a strong advocate to see other women on the water and looks forward to the day where it is no longer a surprise for Captains coming into port to have a woman harbor pilot but the norm.
Captain Lindsay Price, Director, Advocacy, Women Offshore
Raina Barnes, Instructor, Marine Transportation, SUNY Maritime College
Raina Barnes is an instructor in Marine Transportation at SUNY Maritime College and a professional mariner. She has the distinguished honor of being the first African American to hold this title within the Marine Transportation Department in the history of SUNY Maritime College. Raina is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the maritime industry and beyond. She serves as the board director of student advocacy at the Women Offshore Foundation. Raina is a graduate of SUNY Maritime College, and upon graduation sailed on the Great Lakes for several years with American Steamship Company, earning her first class pilotage for the Great Lakes and master’s license of Great Lakes and inland waters of unlimited tonnage.
Tami Francksen, Product Management, Terradepth
Tami Francksen is the Product Manager at Terradepth and an ocean data professional. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Geology and the University of New Hampshire with a Master’s Degree in Earth Science, Ocean Mapping. Before working as a Product Manager at Terradepth, Tami worked for NOAA as a Hydrographic Chief Survey Technician and at Teledyne CARIS as a product manager of hydrographic surveys.
Laila Linares, Sr. Program Manager at U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
Laila attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, NY, where she graduated with a B.S. in Marine Engineering Systems (major) and Environmental Engineering (minor). She also earned a U.S. Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineers License and an officer commission into the U.S. Navy Reserve, where she still serves as a Lieutenant Commander (O-4). Following graduation from USMMA, she elected to sail across the globe aboard merchant marine ships with the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, the ocean transportation provider for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). As an Engineering Officer, she operated and maintained marine propulsion plants and associated systems, as well as supervised engineering department and technical support personnel work tasking(s). Since transitioning from sea to shore-side in support of the DOD and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), she has been able to leverage her management, technical and military expertise to advise on matters related to the U.S. maritime industry, Program/Project Management, Strategic Planning, Lean Six Sigma, Acquisition, Contract Administration & Oversight, Vessel Design, Construction & Repair, and Product Lifecycle Management. She has gone on to earn a M.S. in Engineering Management from The George Washington University as well as numerous professional certifications, including Program Manager. Today, she works for the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) as a Senior Program Manager and leads history in the making. As the first-ever purpose-built ships for training future merchant mariners, the National Security Multi-mission Vessel (NSMV) Program will help to sustain world-class, U.S. maritime training operations at the State Maritime Academies. In addition to being an educational platform, these vessels will be available to support federal government efforts in response to national and international disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. In a volunteer capacity, she continues to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers amongst young adults enrolled at Washington, D.C. high schools and colleges. She remains an active mentor for recent USMMA alumni and is a devoted Executive Committee member of Congresswoman Eleanor H. Norton’s (D-D.C.) Service Academy Selection Board.
Marley Rakow, Maritime Cultural Transformation Superintendent, Maersk Line Limited
Admiral Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Rear Admiral Arguin is a 1992 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and in 2001, he earned a Master of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Prior to his current assignment, Rear Admiral Arguin served as the Director of Inspection and Compliance, also at Coast Guard Headquarters. His previous operational assignments include Sector Commander, Sector New Orleans. He also served as Executive Officer of Marine Safety Office Memphis, TN and Prevention Department Head at Sector Lower Mississippi River where he coordinated waterways management, vessel inspections, mariner licensing and marine casualty investigations on the Lower Mississippi River and its tributaries. In 1994, Captain Arguin earned his Marine Inspection qualifications at Marine Safety Office Hampton Roads and served as senior marine inspector performing commercial vessel and cruise ship inspections at Marine Safety Office Tampa, Florida. He was also assigned to USCGC HARRIET LANE (WMEC-903) as a student engineer and Damage Control Assistant (1992-1994).
His staff assignments include Director of Emerging Policy and Executive Officer, Hull Division Chief and Salvage Engineering Response Team (SERT) Leader at the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center. He was responsible for the evaluation and approval of vessel structures, stability, fire protection systems and coordinated salvage engineering support to the Coast Guard Captains of the Port (COTP) and Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSC) in response to a variety of vessel casualties.His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Legion of Merit, Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards), the DHS Secretary’s Exceptional Service Gold Medal, and the EPA Administrator’s Silver Medal.