WISTA 2026 Speakers

Sakura Kuma

Ms. Sakura Kuma is an Executive Officer of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Managing Director of MOL (Asia Oceania) Pte. Ltd., where she oversees overall corporate functions across the Southeast Asia and Oceania region. Concurrently, she handles corporate function mandates as the Regional Head and holds structural responsibilities across Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Prior to joining MOL, Sakura served as CEO of APM Terminals Japan, and Executive Director of Yokohama Kawasaki International Port. She also brings nearly two decades of experience from her tenure at NYK, during which she held a range of senior leadership roles across the global maritime industry.

Her wide-ranging expertise spans container shipping, terminal development, project cargo logistics, maritime innovation, and human capital management. Sakura’s strong global commercial leadership is grounded in extensive international experience across North America, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. She remains deeply committed to advancing the maritime industry and strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).

Elpi Petraki

Elpi Petraki is the President of WISTA International.

She also works for Greek operator ENEA Management and serves as Secretary General of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (HSSA), where she is involved in the development and promotion of the short sea shipping sector. She is a member of the board of directors for the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and is an active member of Intertanko.

In July 2024 Elpi joined the Executive Board of the World Maritime University.

Mariana Noceti

Mariana Noceti brings over a decade of experience within the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where she has contributed across multiple divisions. She began her career in the Maritime Safety Division, working on the implementation of the Goal-Based Standards (GBS) programme, before moving to the Office of the Director for Legal Affairs and External Relations, where she supported IMO’s legal and diplomatic work.

Mariana currently serves as Programme Officer in IMO’s Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division, where she continues to lead IMO’s flagship Women in Maritime (WIM) Programme and coordinates the Organization’s broader gender equality technical cooperation work. She also leads the implementation of thematic programmes aimed at expanding access to maritime education and training, particularly for developing countries, and strengthening national legal capacity, maritime policy and institutional frameworks for effective maritime governance.

Through her work, Mariana contributes to international conversations on gender equality and women’s participation in maritime, while developing capacity-building initiatives that support a more inclusive and sustainable maritime sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpreting and a Diploma in Gender, Policies, and Participation.

Thomas A. Kazakos

Thomas A. Kazakos is the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), having previously served as Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), the representative National-Member Association of Cyprus at ICS, since 1995.

Throughout his last tenure, he actively participated together with successive CSC Board Members at the ICS Board, contributing in shaping the Association’s strategy on all regulatory, operational, and legal issues concerning the international shipping industry.

Thomas studied in the United Kingdom obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) and a Master’s Degree in European and International Trade Law (LL.M). Thomas began his professional career at the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation prior to joining the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. Nationally, he also served as Board member at numerous professional business bodies in Cyprus, representing the Shipping Industry. Internationally, Thomas has represented Cyprus on the Board of ICS and the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ES/ECSA) in addition to having been an Administrative Board member of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Capt. Emanuel Janta Anak Mujah

Capt. Emanuel Janta Anak Mujah is a Class A (Unrestricted) Marine Pilot at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Johor, one of the world’s leading transshipment hubs. Since beginning her pilotage career in 2021, she has piloted more than 3,000 vessels, gaining extensive operational experience across a broad range of vessel types, sizes and navigational conditions.

Prior to joining PTP, Capt. Emanuel spent seven years at sea with Eaglestar Shipmanagement (Singapore), from 2014 to 2021, building a strong foundation in shipboard operations and maritime safety.

She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Maritime Studies at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development and advancing the maritime profession through academic research and practical experience.

A passionate advocate for women in maritime, leadership development and marine safety, Capt. Emanuel is committed to supporting a more inclusive, capable and resilient maritime workforce. Originally from Miri, Sarawak, she is proud to represent Malaysian maritime professionals and contribute to the advancement of the global maritime community.

Reshma Yousuf

Reshma Yousuf FCILT is a dangerous goods (DG) specialist, trainer and consultant, and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). With over 30 years of experience in logistics, international trade and supply chain management, she helps companies strengthen the safe handling, storage and transport of dangerous goods, with particular emphasis on maritime operations and logistics.

She is the Founder and Principal Consultant of CLLB Sdn Bhd (Centre for Logistics Leadership in Business), Malaysia's leading maritime dangerous goods training and consultancy firm. Through CLLB, she has trained and advised companies on dangerous goods requirements and their practical application in daily operations. Her work supports manufacturers, exporters, logistics service providers and maritime stakeholders in building staff competence and strengthening operational safety and compliance.

Reshma is a UK-certified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). She is also a member of the working group tasked with developing dangerous goods logistics standards for Malaysia. Under a contract with the Malaysian Productivity Corporation, she authored the guidelines on the carriage of dangerous goods by road for Malaysia, contributing practical industry expertise to national guidance on DG transport.

Alongside her DG specialism, she designs and delivers training and executive development programmes for government agencies, multinational corporations, SMEs and industry associations across Malaysia and the region. Her wider expertise covers international trade operations, multimodal transport, freight management, Incoterms® 2020, customs and trade compliance, supply chain risk management, warehousing, distribution and logistics transformation.

Her consultancy work includes export logistics strategies, transport planning, international documentation, freight cost optimisation and supply chain performance. She has also contributed to Malaysia's logistics policy development through her involvement with the National Logistics Task Force, working with stakeholders across ports, shipping, aviation, manufacturing and international trade.

As President of WISTA Malaysia and Deputy Chairperson of Global WiLAT, Reshma champions professional development and leadership within the maritime, logistics and transport sectors. She is also a certified ESG Practitioner, promoting sustainable and resilient supply chain practices. Her training and advisory approach connects regulatory requirements with the practical decisions companies make when managing cargo, transport and trade.

Yukie Teo

Yukie Teo has been President of WISTA Singapore since September 2025. WISTA Singapore was the first National WISTA Association founded in Asia, and it connects women professionals across shipping, trading and the wider maritime industry. Before becoming President, she served on the association's Executive Committee, including as Vice President from 2021. As President, she is focused on widening the association's reach. One example is her proposal for a dedicated Female Seafarer membership category, which would bring women working at sea into the network alongside their shore-based peers.

Yukie has worked in the maritime industry for about a decade. She is General Manager of Headway International, a maritime technology company active across the Asia-Pacific region. Before that, she spent over eight years at Aderco, a marine fuel treatment company. She started there as Regional Logistics Manager and rose through commercial roles to become Managing Director. She began her maritime career in operations at Singapore Salvage Engineers.

In 2025, she founded Kie Solutions Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based consultancy that helps marine vendors and partners grow in global markets and adopt greener, ESG-driven solutions.

Yukie holds a Bachelor's degree in Sustainable Maritime Operations from the University of Plymouth, which she completed through MLA College, and a Diploma in Maritime Studies from Singapore Polytechnic. She is a TÜV SÜD–qualified ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Verifier and a Chartered Management Institute Certified Sustainability Practitioner. Working across APAC, she is committed to building a more sustainable, diverse and connected maritime industry.

Cassandra Simpson

Cassandra Simpson is General Manager, Corporate Communications at The Caravel Group, where she leads brand, reputation and stakeholder engagement across a portfolio of businesses that support global trade and essential supply chains. She also oversees communications for Fleet Management Limited, one of the world's largest third-party ship managers, helping connect the company with its global community of shipowners, partners and more than 27,000 seafarers.

Working across the maritime sector, Cassandra supports initiatives that strengthen industry collaboration, raise awareness of shipping's contribution to global trade, and help attract and develop the next generation of maritime talent. She is Vice President of WISTA Hong Kong SAR China and is actively involved in initiatives that promote leadership development and greater opportunities for women in maritime.

Prior to joining Caravel, she advised multinational companies and institutions across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe on strategic communications and government affairs.

Cynthia Everduin

Cynthia Everduin, MSc is a Dutch maritime executive and Operational Director at De Bock Maritiem, where she combines strategic leadership with extensive expertise in maritime regulations, safety, quality, environmental compliance, and organizational development. She holds a Master of Science in Shipping & Transport and progressed from a seagoing career to senior executive leadership, helping guide the company's growth and professionalization.

With eight years of sailing experience in various officer positions and holding an unlimited Master Mariner certificate of competency, Cynthia brings a practical understanding of both shipboard operations and shore-based management. In addition to her role at De Bock Maritiem, she lectured in maritime law and legislation at the Maritime Academy in IJmuiden, The Netherlands.

Beyond her executive responsibilities, Cynthia represents employers in Dutch collective labour agreement (CAO) consultations for Dutch-flagged vessels and holds several board positions within the Dutch maritime sector.

She serves on the main board of Stichting Scheepvaart, an organization established by social partners in the industry to coordinate administrative services for maritime sector funds and to represent sector interests in the field of social security. The foundation also develops policy related to employment, income, and welfare within the Dutch maritime industry.

She is involved in several affiliated maritime funds, such as the O&O Fund (promoting of education, training, and workforce development for current and future seafarers), of ZR'67 (Stichting Zee-Risico 1967), (supporting social security related arrangements for seafarers and maritime employers). But she is likewise involved in helping to protect employees against potential income gaps arising from long-term disability under Dutch social security legislation (WGA-HIAAT).

In addition, Cynthia is Vice Chair of the Safety and Environment Committee of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR). The committee advises on maritime safety, environmental protection, and regulatory developments, helping shape the Dutch shipping industry's position on operational and sustainability-related issues.

Committed to the future of the industry, Cynthia also contributes to the development of maritime education through participation in the advisory board of a Dutch maritime academy. As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Cynthia serves as Secretary of the Board of WISTA The Netherlands. Through this role, she actively supports and promotes the advancement of women in the maritime industry while encouraging the next generation of female maritime professionals.

Capt. Rajalingam Subramaniam

Capt. Rajalingam (“Raja”) Subramaniam serves as Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Management Limited, a role he assumed on January 1, 2025.

Capt. Raja oversees Fleet Management’s global operations, with overall responsibility for its 620+ ships under management and a workforce of 1,300+ employees and 27,000+ seafarers, as well as clients and partners.

Capt. Raja brings a wealth of industry experience. He joins the company from MISC Group where he was President & Group CEO, reinforcing the Group’s position as a dominant force in the global shipping and offshore industry. He has served on a number of industry boards including as an Executive Committee member of the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), a Board Member of GARD and Task Force Member of Shaping the Future of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

Graduating from the Malaysian Maritime Academy, Capt. Raja commenced his seafaring career as a third officer and progressed through the ranks to Master Mariner, before moving into shore-based roles. He holds a Post-Graduate MBA in addition to a Master’s Foreign Going Certificate from the Ministry of Transport Malaysia. He is a Member of INSEAD alumni and has attended several Executive Programmes in Finance and Management at INSEAD, Fontainebleau.

A strong advocate for sustainability and D&I initiatives in the maritime industry, he looks forward to collaborating with industry partners to advance our sustainability goals and progress in the company and wider sector.

Outside of work, Capt. Raja enjoys hiking, jogging and outdoor sports. His adventures have included Kilimanjaro and Everest Base camp and exploring the hiking trails of Hong Kong.

Manasi Bhopale

Manasi is a sustainability professional with over six years of experience advising organisations on sustainability strategy, ESG reporting, sustainable finance, life cycle assessment, and impact measurement. As a member of Lloyd’s Register’s Consulting team in Southwest Asia, she supports clients in navigating evolving sustainability requirements and developing robust approaches to environmental performance measurement and disclosure.

She holds a Master’s degree in Technology and Development from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and is trained as an Urban Planner. Manasi is certified in ISO 14064 Parts 1, 2 and 3, specialising in greenhouse gas accounting, quantification, verification, and assurance.

Michelle Yong

Michelle is a dual-qualified lawyer in Singapore and England & Wales, with over two decades of experience specialising in maritime, trade and offshore matters.

Michelle advises leading shipowners, charterers, traders and financial institutions on complex cross-border disputes, arbitrations, restructurings and enforcement matters. Her practice spans the entire shipping and trade cycle - from shipbuilding, ship sale and purchase, to charterparties, ship management, commodity supply contracts, Force Majeure and incidents out at sea.

Michelle is a Senior Accredited Specialist in Maritime and Shipping Law with the Singapore Academy of Law and a Specialist Mediator with the Singapore International Mediation Centre. She also serves as Secretary of the Singapore chapter of WISTA.

Ruzila Idin

Ruzila Idin is the Chief Human Resource Officer of MISC Berhad, where she leads the Group’s people and culture transformation agenda, positioning HR as a strategic partner in driving business growth, organisational resilience, and future workforce readiness. With over 31 years of leadership experience in the energy industry, she has successfully led large-scale workforce and cultural transformations across complex global organisations.

Prior to joining MISC, Ruzila held several senior leadership positions within PETRONAS, including Senior General Manager, Global HR Business Partners for the Downstream Business, as well as leadership roles supporting digital transformation, LNG operations, and upstream businesses.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, a Professional Certificate in International Management from The University of Melbourne, and is a certified professional coach. She is also a graduate of the CHRO Executive Program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Passionate about building high-performing cultures that empower people and drive meaningful transformation, Ruzila is equally committed to lifelong learning and personal growth. Outside work, she enjoys travelling, scuba diving, and painting.

Sabrina Chao

Ms. Sabrina Chao BBS, JP is the Founder and Chairman of SeaKapital Limited and the Chairman of Charterhouse School (Asia) Limited. She graduated from the Imperial College London in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics with Management. Between 2002 to 2018, Ms. Chao ran the family business and developed Wah Kwong Group into one of the best in class shipowner globally.

Ms. Chao is a leader in the global maritime industry. She was the President of BIMCO from May 2021 to May 2023, the largest shipping organization in the world. She was the past Chairman of Asian Shipowners’ Association and the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.

Ms. Chao is very passionate in promoting the maritime industry to the next generations. She is presently the Chairman of External Advisory Group of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies in Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Ms. Chao is also a member of the Vocational Training Council. She is a general committee member of The Sailors and Mission to Seafarers Hong Kong since 2019. With her great contributions in the maritime industry, she was named Honorary President by the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) since 2009 and the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) Commodore in 2018.

In addition to above, Ms. Chao is Honorary Consul of Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Hong Kong; a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Jiangsu Province; a member of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK); a member of the Council of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Young Global Leaders 2014 awarded by the World Economic Forum; Executive Vice Chairman of Federation of Jiangsu Community Organization; Permanent Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Youth. Ms. Chao is member of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development. Ms. Chao is also appointed by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR as member to the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB).

Dr. Siti Noraishah

Dr. Siti Noraishah Azizan is a distinguished leader in Malaysia’s maritime and logistics sector, with nearly three decades of experience in port management, corporate strategy, and regulatory oversight. As General Manager of Johor Port Authority, she spearheads decarbonisation, strategic planning, port development, and digitalization initiatives, positioning the Authority at the forefront of green shipping and sustainable port development.

A PhD holder in Logistics and Transport, her career reflects a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable industry growth. She is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and a Certified ESG Reporting Practitioner accredited by Bureau Veritas. She is also a recognized advocate for women’s leadership in the maritime sector, actively contributing to the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). Her contributions include serving as Chairperson of the IAPH Women’s Forum and co-founding the IAPH Women’s Forum established in 2012.

Roxana Ortega

Roxana M. Ortega C. is a Civil Engineer specializing in structures and highways, with more than 22 years of experience leading port and maritime infrastructure projects at Panama’s principal terminals. Her professional career includes the planning, design, execution, and supervision of strategic works at the Ports of Balboa and Cristóbal, covering pavement rehabilitation for heavy-traffic areas, modernization of operational buildings, lighting-system improvements, steel structures for refrigerated containers, and maintenance programs for critical assets such as fenders, bollards, and rails.

She has also led deepening and maintenance dredging projects in berth areas and navigation channels. These technically and operationally demanding interventions have served as a reference for other terminals across the region. Her expertise combines investment management, budget development, preparation of tender documents under FIDIC standards, contractor coordination, and the supervision of multidisciplinary teams.

Roxana currently brings this experience to Maritime & Logistics Consulting Group, S.A. (M&L Consulting Group), an international maritime and logistics consulting firm founded in Panama in 2004. With more than 20 years of experience and projects in over 30 countries, the firm specializes in planning, auditing, strategy, and supervision of maritime and logistics infrastructure.

She serves as President of WISTA Panamá, the Panamanian chapter of WISTA International, a global network that brings together more than 6,000 women executives from the maritime, port, and logistics sectors in more than 60 countries. WISTA International connects and empowers women professionals, supporting their leadership development, mentoring, and career advancement across the industry.

Roxana is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles (COICI) and an active member of the Sociedad Panameña de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (SPIA). Through these roles, she contributes to the professional development of the engineering sector and to the advancement of technical standards and institutional leadership in Panama.

She holds an MBA in Project Management and a specialization in Project Management from The George Washington University, complementing her strong technical foundation in Civil Engineering from the Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá. This combination of engineering, management, and strategic leadership has enabled her to deliver complex infrastructure projects while balancing technical rigor, operational efficiency, and long-term asset sustainability.

Recognized for her leadership, technical rigor, and strategic vision, Roxana promotes the development of sustainable port infrastructure and the strengthening of women’s leadership in the global maritime industry. Her work reflects a commitment to excellence in project delivery, responsible infrastructure management, and the creation of opportunities for future generations of women professionals in maritime and logistics.

Chris Hall

Chris Hall is a New York-licensed Lawyer, with over 30 years of shipping and marine insurance experience. He worked for five years in New York City and has lived and worked in Asia for over 25 years.

Chris is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he double-majored in Asian Studies and Political Science. He also holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans.

After several years as a shipping lawyer in New York, Chris moved to the P&I world in Asia, where he has been a P&I and FD&D claims handler, an underwriter and the head of the American P&I Club’s operations in Asia, particularly business development. He is also active with DEI, corporate wellness and L&D initiatives. He is based in Hong Kong and travels widely around Southeast Asia, South Asia and Greater China.

Elisa Woodward

Elisa Woodward is a senior management executive with more than 25 years of international experience across shipbuilding, vessel operations, engineering, offshore energy, marine and digital transformation, complemented by commercial and operational experience in Australia’s construction and rail sectors.

As Chief Information Officer of SGX-listed Grand Banks Marine Group, Elisa leads the company’s digital transformation and change management strategy, focusing on systems optimisation, operational visibility and data-driven decision-making. Her experience spans large-scale shipbuilding and vessel programmes, complex offshore projects, sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives, and commercial negotiations with leading shipyards, vendors and international clients.

Throughout her career, Elisa has managed newbuild and shipyard programmes involving more than 200 vessels over a 10-year period and negotiated more than US billion in shipbuilding contracts within two years. She also led the technical management, sourcing, project management and commissioning of a 120-metre offshore storage vessel developed for Saudi Arabia.

A strong advocate for innovation, sustainability and talent development, Elisa is committed to building technical capability, fostering a strong safety culture and encouraging greater participation from women and young professionals in the maritime industry. She has held senior leadership positions including CEO, COO, Vice President of Engineering & Shipbuilding, and Director of Technology & Sustainability.

Elisa holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Master Certification in Financial Management from Cornell University. Her professional credentials include carbon accounting, sustainability, ESG and ISSB/GRI reporting certifications. She is also a member of Engineers Australia and the Bureau Veritas Technical Committee, serves as Deputy Representative of WISTA WA, and is a committee member of the ASMI Women’s Wing.

Elisabeth Sloane

Elizabeth is a dispute resolution Partner in HFW’s Melbourne and Hong Kong offices. She specialises in shipping law (wet and dry), international trade, contentious insolvency, commercial litigation, cross-border fraud, and asset tracing and enforcement.

Elizabeth has considerable international arbitration experience as counsel in Hong Kong, London, Australia, and Singapore. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and sits as an arbitrator. Advising a broad range of clients across the Asia Pacific region, Elizabeth acts for shipowners and charterers, IG P&I Clubs, commercial insurers, banks and financiers, family offices and privately held companies.

Elizabeth is a past President of WISTA’s Hong Kong chapter, and a former mentor with Women in Law Hong Kong. She is a regular trainer for BIMCO’s Bill of Lading and Time Charterparties Masterclasses, and is a contributing editor for the 3rd edition of Maritime Law and Practice in Hong Kong (Sweet and Maxwell).

Elizabeth is qualified as a lawyer in Australia, Hong Kong and England & Wales.

Katharina Stanzel

A marine biologist by training, Katharina (Kathi) Stanzel worked on marine park and fisheries projects in Indonesia, Singapore and Australia, before entering the shipping industry in 1999.

Specialising in marine pollution from ships, she spent ten years as technical advisor to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) before joining the IOPC Funds, an intergovernmental organisation administering key compensation regimes for oil pollution from tankers.

In 2011 she joined INTERTANKO (the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners) and served as its Managing Director until the end of 2024, representing the interests of independent tanker owners worldwide, promoting safety, environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance.

Kathi is passionate about advancing the role and reputation of the shipping industry as a vital and responsible partner in global supply networks and has been driving collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders; advocating for policies that foster sustainable growth, fair competition and international cooperation; developing best practice, operational excellence and global solutions for a global industry.

She holds postgraduate qualifications in coastal management and business administration from universities in Germany, the UK and Australia.

Kathi was named WISTA International Personality of the Year in 2012 and received the SheEO Leads Prize for leadership in 2022.

Marina Ledakis

Marina Ledakis is a Senior Market Reporter at S&P Global, specialising in global shipping and freight markets across LNG, clean and dirty tankers, dry bulk and containers.

In her role, Marina assesses and analyses freight markets and contributes to S&P Global’s coverage of developments across the shipping sector. She has played a leading role in the development and launch of new freight benchmarks and methodologies, as well as analytical initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency across global shipping markets.

Her experience across multiple shipping segments gives her a broad perspective on freight pricing and market dynamics, as well as the key developments and evolving trends shaping global maritime trade.

Dato' Capt. K. Subramaniam

Dato’ Capt. K. Subramaniam began his career in the Merchant Marine in 1981 and obtained his Captaincy in 1992. He joined Port Klang Authority (PKA) in 1994 as a Harbour Pilot and held several positions before being appointed General Manager in 2016, becoming the first PKA-sponsored scholar to head the organisation.

He has been a certified Harbour Pilot since 1997 and has chaired the Port Klang Pilotage Committee since 2011.

During his years at Port Klang Authority, he was instrumental in implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Port Klang in 2004, and in 2010 he coordinated Port Klang’s participation in the Megaports Initiative together with the Royal Malaysian Customs, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board and the US government. His notable achievements at Port Klang include introducing safe working practices in port operations, strengthening navigational safety and maritime security, and advancing the use of digitalisation and green technology in the port and logistics industry.

In 2023, he spearheaded Port Klang’s implementation of the Malaysia Maritime Single Window, which is now being extended to all ports nationwide.

Dato’ Capt. Subra is also prominently involved in the international maritime arena. He served as President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) from 2021 to 2023, and is currently an Advisory Board Member of the APEC Port Services Network and Secretary General of the Eastern Dredging Association (EADA).

Helio Vicente

Helio Vicente is the Director of Employment Affairs at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the global trade association for shipowners and operators, representing over 80% of the world merchant fleet.

He serves as Secretary of the ICS Labour Affairs Committee, which is responsible for global shipping employment policy and related matters, as well as Secretary of the ICS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Panel. Helio is also Secretary to the global Shipowners’ Group at the International Labour Organization (ILO). He previously served as Secretary of the ICS Shipping Policy Committee (SPC) and the ICS Shipping Canals Sub-Committee.

Before joining ICS, Helio worked at the Diplomatic Mission of Angola to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), at the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), and at the IMO Sub-Division for Maritime Security and Facilitation.

Caterina Cerrini

Caterina Cerrini began her career managing her family’s commercial business, specialising in the distribution of leading tyre brands for all types of wheeled vehicles.

For more than 15 years, she was involved in business development and innovative projects for national and international ICT companies operating in the shipping sector. During this time, she developed strong technological expertise as well as interpersonal, networking and relationship-building skills, holding positions as Public Relations Manager and Communication & Partnership Manager.

For the past two and a half years, she has worked in the training sector at the Italian Shipping Academy, where she coordinates training programmes for the shipbuilding industry and for automation processes within logistics and port operations. Within the Academy, she also coordinates soft skills training programmes under the dedicated “Human Lab” department, with a particular focus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).

She recently obtained the STCW “Train the Trainer” certification and completed Levels I and II of the Master’s Programme in Strategic Communication, Coaching, Problem Solving and Performance Science.

Since 2023, Caterina has served as a Board Member of WISTA Italy.

Ana Paula Costa

Ana Paula da Costa is a Senior Operations Manager at DS NORDEN A/S, specialising in dry bulk and overseeing more than 40 vessels annually across a wide range of vessel sizes and cargoes.

With over 35 years of experience in international shipping and trading, Ana Paula brings extensive commercial and operational expertise, sound business judgement and a strong understanding of complex market environments. Throughout her career, she has focused on commodities trading, optimising vessel operations and building long-term relationships with internal and external stakeholders worldwide.

In her current role, Ana Paula manages day-to-day vessel operations and develops solutions aligned with NORDEN’s strategy for the sustainable growth of its dry bulk business on the East Coast of South America.

Outside of work, Ana Paula serves as President of WISTA Brazil, collaborating with the private and public sectors to expand women’s representation in the local maritime industry. She is also a marathon and trail runner.

Capt. Lydia Argyropoulou

Lydia Argyropoulou is a Class A Captain and maritime professional with extensive experience across seagoing and shore-based operations and commercial management. In her current role as Port Captain & Dry Cargo Operator at Neda Maritime Agency Co., Ltd., she is involved in the safe, efficient and commercially effective operation of a fleet of dry bulk vessels. Her responsibilities include vessel performance, cargo operations, voyage execution, stakeholder management and operational risk oversight.

Having progressed through the ranks at sea before obtaining her unlimited Master Mariner licence, Lydia brings a practical, hands-on perspective that bridges strategic objectives with day-to-day operational realities. Her experience across both ship and shore enables informed decision-making that balances commercial priorities, operational performance and safety objectives.

Alongside her professional role, Lydia serves as Treasurer of WISTA Hellas, actively contributing to initiatives that advance leadership, professional development and greater inclusion across the maritime sector.

Focused on operational excellence, digital transformation, resilient leadership and the development of future maritime talent, Lydia supports an integrated approach that brings together people, operations and technology to drive sustainable growth and a future-ready maritime industry.

Michelle de la Harpe, RTCA

Michelle de la Harpe is an award-winning Malaysian entrepreneur, sustainability advocate, and hospitality and marketing professional with a strong focus on ESG principles, community empowerment, and holistic wellness. With over 20 years of experience in multinational companies and C-suite leadership positions, she has developed impactful marketing and project implementation strategies aligned with sustainability and ethical business practices.

Michelle is the founder of MDaat Eco Wellness, an eco-wellness platform integrating well-being with environmental sustainability, which earned her recognition as one of Wiki Impact’s 100 Malaysian Changemakers. She is also the Charter President of Meraki Daat Initiative, a non-profit organisation working with coastal water villages in Sabah and other states in Malaysia to empower marginalised communities through ecotourism and circular economy initiatives. Under her leadership, the organisation won the prestigious UNDP Malaysia Island Innovation Challenge for successfully completing Malaysia’s first marine debris pathway.

She was the first Sabahan woman to receive the Professional Certification in Technology Commercialisation with a focus on ESG and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Michelle represented Malaysia at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference in Canada and is also an alumna of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). A passionate advocate for women empowerment, environmental conservation, and community-led sustainability solutions, Michelle continues to serve on various environmental and social impact initiatives across Malaysia.

Isabel Tse

Isabel Tse is Managing Director of W V Ocean Consultancy Limited, a Hong Kong-based maritime services company providing technical consultancy, vessel repair support, dry-docking solutions, and operational services to shipowners and managers across the Asia-Pacific region.

With a decade of experience spanning ship management, technical operations, quality assurance, and maritime leadership, she previously served as Deputy Head of Technical at Saga Shipholding (Norway) AS, overseeing global asset operations and maintenance programs.

Isabel is also President of WISTA Hong Kong SAR, where she promotes industry collaboration and engagement with maritime stakeholders across the region.

Atty. Kareen Fe D. Pioquinto-Enriquez

Atty. Kareen Fe D. Pioquinto-Enriquez is a Partner and Executive Director of EPEEQ Law, with a diverse practice spanning Immigration, Business and Corporate Law, Dispute Resolution, Labor, Tax, Family, Estate Planning and Settlement, Property and Real Estate, Intellectual Property, Mining, and Maritime.

Her legal career began at the Justice Serafin Cuevas Law Office as a Junior Associate, followed by work as a Legal Officer in the Office of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. She later joined Federis Law Office as a Junior Associate, handling intellectual property matters, before moving to the Department of Justice as a Consultant. She then expanded her corporate practice as Consultant and Seconded Legal Counsel for Golden Arches Development Corporation. Prior to EPEEQ Law, she was a Senior Associate at Ortega, Bacorro, Odulio, Calma & Carbonell Law Offices (OCBOCC), where she gained extensive experience in corporate and dispute resolution practice.

Atty. Pioquinto-Enriquez earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and her Bachelor of Laws from San Beda College of Law. With her wide-ranging experience across law firms, government, and corporate settings, she provides clients with well-rounded, strategic, and practical legal solutions.