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Shipbuilding, Repair & Maintenance
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are many organizations in the maritime industry that offer these same attributes, but WISTA, for me, has provided an easy and open forum to not only better understand all aspects of the industry but to also develop lasting friendships.”
For Sherman, those relationships constitute a two-way street. Today, she serves on the WISTA USA board, work- ing on and organizing, among other things, the 2016 WISTA International
Annual General Meeting which is to take place in November of this year aboard the cruise ship M/S KONINGSDAM.
Looking back and also ahead, Sher- man’s efforts and that of her WISTA sisters have made unquestionable in- roads over time. Sherman explains why, saying, “The awareness of the shipping industry that exists today in compari- son to when I began my career at IRI is vastly different. Industry stakeholders have been very supportive of programs that exist to provide awareness to young adults about life at sea. I know IRI, like other organizations in the industry, has provided presentations to students at all levels.” Likewise, those opportunities are expanding for women, as well.
Thinking as a Communications Man- ager and IT specialist, Sherman adds simply, “I think, ? rst and foremost, women need to know what opportuni- ties exist and they need to have a desire to work in the maritime industry.” That’s because, she insists, “Most folks I come in contact with have a real passion for this industry and it is present during con- versations.” That attitude pays dividends and over the years, it has also attracted a similar mindset from the WISTA crowd. “As far as I have seen, nearly all the or- ganizations we interact with have lead- ership positions held by women. I would say they stack up favorably.”
All of that adds up to progress. And, who better to broadcast the good news than the Director of Marketing and com- munications for the IRI Group?
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