“Yes, You Can”: Women Offshore’s Annual Conference Inspires Students and Industry Professionals Alike

HOUSTON, TEXAS — October 8, 2026 — Maritime and offshore leaders, emerging professionals, students, and industry advocates gathered October 1–2 at the San Jacinto College Center LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology for the 9th Annual Women Offshore Conference. United under the conference theme “Yes, You Can,” the two‑day event featured personal stories, workshops, and interactive sessions equipping attendees with the practical skills, networks, and confidence to build lasting careers on the water.

Conference highlights 

The conference opened with keynote Holly Strople, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Noble Corporation, who challenged attendees to take ownership of their careers by building intentional relationships and measurable goals. Throughout the program, interactive sessions such as Build Your Future: Career Jeopardy combined high-energy engagement with concrete takeaways, helping participants translate ambitions into actionable next steps.

Afternoons focused on lived experience. The Sea Stories Panel and Defining Your Identity in Work & Life sessions brought mariners, pilots, shoreside professionals, students, and career coaches together to share candid lessons about resilience, priorities, and mental health. Panelists urged attendees to work smarter, protect their well‑being, and cultivate a life and identity beyond the job.

Workshops on team culture and communication delivered practical leadership tools. Dori Eversman of RRG Leadership led A Complaint‑Free Team, reframing chronic complaining as an opportunity to build collaboration and resilience. Erica D’Eramo of Two Piers Consulting guided participants through hands‑on communication exercises tailored to offshore and remote operational settings, emphasizing influence, clarity, and psychological safety.

Keynote moment and call to action

Captain Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a mega‑ton cruise ship, brought the conference theme to life. Drawing on her experience, Captain McCue urged attendees to move from possibility to preparation with the line, “Ready is a feeling. Being prepared is a decision.” Her closing charge, “Drive the thing,” echoed the encouragement she received early in life and kicked off the second day with an inspiring challenge to not only dream, but to do.

Recognizing industry excellence

The Awards Luncheon honored leaders who create opportunities and strengthen the maritime and offshore workforce. This year’s Wave Maker Award recognized Captain Kate McCue for her trailblazing leadership and ongoing impact. The Horizon Award celebrated Bella Horne, a Cal Poly Maritime cadet, for emerging leadership and promise in the industry. Together, the awards underscored that leadership is demonstrated by the people we lift up and the doors we open for others.

Community, connections, and lasting impact

Beyond sessions and speakers, the conference’s most powerful outcome was the community it fostered. New mentorships, job leads, and peer networks formed over meals, networking sessions, and hallway conversations. Andrea Morrison, Maritime Technical Advisor, closed the event with a personal story about mentorship, illustrating how believing in others can change career trajectories. For many attendees, the most valuable takeaway was not a single presentation but a new connection, a mentor, or the reassurance that they are not navigating this industry alone.

About Women Offshore

About Women Offshore: Women Offshore is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting careers on the water through mentorship, career support, scholarships, community programs, and events. Learn more at womenoffshore.org.