International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements and contributions of women across every industry and community. It’s a day to recognize progress toward gender equality while also acknowledging the work still to be done. At Hornblower Group, we take pride in the incredible women who help navigate our success-whether captaining vessels, managing operations, or delivering unforgettable guest experiences. The women of Hornblower are shaping the future of maritime and hospitality. Today we celebrate their dedication, leadership, and the waves they continue to make in an ever-changing and evolving industry.
Charting The Course: The Women of Hornblower and Those Who Inspire Them
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke to some of our incredible female crew members about their journeys, challenges, and favorite moments on the water. Their stories reflect their passion, strength, and love for what they do.
The maritime industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but that hasn’t stopped the women of Hornblower from thriving. Overcoming stereotypes, proving their skills, and supporting one another have been key to their success. We asked our crew:
What women have inspired or supported you on your career path? What did that support look like? And what is some of the best career advice you’ve received?
“Working moms have always inspired me because I know how difficult it is to be one. Whether that mom is a co-worker, boss, or a relative, I am always inspired by their ability to juggle responsibilities. They understand the importance of being present for family, and many times offer empathy and encouragement when I am struggling to balance commitments.”
“Two pieces of advice have influenced and stuck with me throughout my career. The first general manager I worked with advised me to always say yes to a new task and take on new challenges, even if I don’t have experience doing what is asked of me. I believe this advice is why my journey with this company has lasted so long and has taken many different paths, from ticket booth agent to restaurant manager, food & beverage Manager, marketing manager, and now public cruise manager. The other piece of advice came from my current general manager, who always asks, “How much better could we be doing?” even when things are going great. Most likely, there is something more we could be doing to make our best even better.” – Abby Markowski, Public Cruise and Group Excursion Sales Manager, Boston Harbor City Cruises
“All of them. Coworkers new and old, former and current thought-leaders, artists/entrepreneurs, influencer-hyphenates, my local barista, Beyonce…. The support comes from collaborating on daily tasks both large and small, but also in those big ah-ha moments in knowing that they started with just an idea too.”
“Not really advice, but one of the tenets of improv that stuck with me and can be applied in so many ways is ‘yes, and. This isn’t necessarily literal; it’s more about
maintaining an open and receptive mindset to other people’s ideas. The ‘and’ part encourages expanding on ideas by adding your own piece to build something unique collaboratively” -Jacquie Walther, Creative Director, NYC Ferry
“Being from the Virgin Islands meant being part of a tight-knit, supportive community. This strong community played a key role in 
helping me start my career on the water. Since I started sailing/powerboating, I have been surrounded by encouragement. I have had the privilege of receiving support from other women in the industry, which made a huge impact on my achievements. The support reinforced my passion for a maritime career and helped me navigate a male-dominated field.” -Challis Diaz, Assistant Port Director, Boston Harbor City Cruises
“Some of the best career advice I have received was from my dad. When I told him I was planning on going to college for food & beverage management, he said, “As long as you understand that working in hospitality means that you are the one working while everyone else is having a good time.” I have never forgotten this and acknowledge and accept the sacrifice of working evenings, holidays, and weekends because I love my profession and believe it is important.”-Alyson Schmidt, Director of Food and Beverage, City Cruises Toronto
“Build relationships and network. Your professional network is one of your most valuable resources, so build strong relationships with colleagues, mentors, and others in the industry. The maritime world is a close-knit community, and opportunities often come from who you know as much as what you know.” -StevieMacDonald, Charter Mate, City Cruises UK
“Know when your time is right—don’t try to force it. If you’re not in the right mindset, don’t force it because not everyone goes at the same pace, so follow your own lead.”–Deborah Lee, Captain, NYC Ferry
“Keep pushing. There will be setbacks, but if you want something you have to keep on working towards it.”-Jacqueline Hertel-Messina, Captain, NYC Ferry
““Get clear on who you are and the kind of leader you want to be, then show up as that person every day. It’s easy to get caught up in expectations or try to fit into a mold that others create for you. Know your strengths, own your values, and lead with confidence in your own style.”-Linda Condorelli, VP of Operations, Walks and Devour Tours
Celebrating Women Captains
Captain: Jamie Riddel Port: Chicago
Favorite view to share with guests during a cruise?
I love doing crib runs on the Seadog… very few commercial boats go out that far, and the view is stunning, particularly at sunset.
Favorite City Cruises experience to work on, and why?
If the weather is nice and the lake is calm enough, driving the Extreme Thrill Ride is every bit as fun as you’d imagine it to be. Disembarking passengers after whipping that boat around is one of the most satisfying parts of my job. We get a lot of repeat customers, even on the same day.
What inspired you to become a boat captain?
Necessity. I applied to be a deckhand on the Odyssey when I was 19 because I was alone and had no support. Doing my job directly affected my ability to take care of myself financially. Every raise and promotion gave me a little bit more freedom. I saw getting my Captain’s license as a ticket to my future, to living a fuller life, not just surviving it. Falling in love with the maritime industry just happened along the way.
Why is it important to see women in leadership roles on the water?
I started in the industry in 2001 and got my license in 2003. All of my mentors have been men. I did not really see women in leadership roles at that time; however, there were women integral to my success in the industry. There was a small group of us who worked crew on different vessels at Navy Pier. We were young women who took pride in our job, shared our experiences, encouraged, and took care of each other. They changed my perspective on the maritime industry. I stopped seeing it as a “boy” job and just saw it as a job, a job that we were all entitled to do. Almost all of us went on to get our licenses. Seeing women in leadership roles on the water makes the maritime industry more accessible to those who might not realize it is an option and safer for those who might otherwise avoid a male-dominated industry. Today, being a mentor to others is my favorite part of this job.
How do you define leadership as a captain?
As a captain, being a good leader is constantly evolving. Earning the respect of crew, passengers, and colleagues goes hand-in-hand with trust and involves honing both your hard skills, like operating the vessel along with soft skills like managing your crew. Training new captains heavily focuses on how well one can dock a boat, but learning from mistakes, making hard decisions under pressure, empowering your crew, striving to learn new skills, and being reliable are marks of a good leader.
Captain: Elsa Bishop Port: San Francisco Bay
Favorite view to share with guests during a cruise?
Obviously, the classic Golden Gate Bridge, hopefully with a sunset in the background!
Favorite City Cruises experience to work on, and why?
I always love working on the San Francisco Belle on New Year’s Eve.
What does International Women’s Month mean to you?
Great question – I love to imagine women being celebrated all over the world for their immense contributions to society at large.
What does being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field mean to you?
I feel it’s so important to be representing strong, competent women in our field, and I love seeing more and more women becoming marine professionals, both dockside and out on the water. I was raised by women mariners in coastal Alaska, so as far as I could tell, women belonged and excelled on boats of all kinds. Why shouldn’t it be the case everywhere? That being said, I work with and appreciate all of my coworkers regardless of gender. I’m lucky to have so many awesome managers and coworkers of all identities!
Why is it important to see women in leadership roles on the water?
The more we show up, the more we can change opinions about what types of workplaces we belong in, and the more our opinions will be heard.
What is the best leadership advice you’ve received?
Leave the chip on your shoulder behind – focus on the job and let your work speak for you. Always take responsibility for your mistakes and use them as an opportunity to prevent more in the future.
What inspired you to become a boat captain?
Being raised by two professional and adventurous boat operators, most of my family members are in the maritime field, so for me, it made sense to join the family trade. Also, being raised on a remote island in Alaska, only accessible by boat, helped a lot, too! I am attracted to the type of fortitude of character it has helped me develop over the years, which did not come naturally to me. It has made me a more confident and joyful individual!
How do you define leadership as a captain?
Being a good leader and captain of a vessel to me means communicating clearly and calmly with your team to achieve desired results. Sometimes things get stressful during maneuvering and docking, and it requires thinking on the fly – if communication breaks down, even good leadership in those moments can fail. I think it’s important to remember that respect goes both ways between deck crew and the bridge, and maintaining good working relations shouldn’t go by the wayside in daily operations.
Captain: Ellie Scott Port: San Francisco Bay
Favorite view to share with guests during a cruise?
Angel Island State Park.
Why is it important to see women in leadership roles on the water?
In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that women make up 24.7 percent of the water transportation industry in the United States. All it takes to challenge the culture of any maritime company is to bring in one woman as a captain or mate. One person is not a trend, but it’s a great start and can motivate more people to move up.
Words of Wisdom: Advice for the Next Generation of Women
For young women considering a career in the maritime industry, our crew members have a message-go for it! Read on to hear their best advice.
“Challenge stereotypes! Be prepared to face stereotypes, but don’t let them define you. Use every opportunity to demonstrate that your abilities a
re just as strong, if not stronger than anyone else’s. The more you prove your competence, the more those around you will recognise the value you bring.”-Stevie MacDonald, Charter Mate, City Cruises UK
“Don’t focus on what people assume; focus on what you can do. Perfect that and be the best you can be.”-Liana Harrison, Captain, NYC Ferry
“Don’t think about it as a man’s world, just do what you need to do. Everyone makes mistakes; work with what you know and the skills you have.”-Deborah Lee, Captain, NYC Ferry
Guiding Lights: Mentors Who Shaped Their Journey
Behind every great leader is someone who inspires and guides them. We asked the women of Hornblower to share who mentored them along their journey and the impact it had on their careers.
“Mentorship came in the form of the captains who trained me and my managers who shared their experiences and gave helpful tips when they could. They
reassured me that I had what it took when I wasn’t feeling confident.”-Liana Harrison, Captain, NYC Ferry
“I had a mentor from a high school after-school program who worked at NYC Ferry. She introduced me to the job and helped me to understand the possibilities and how I could get my captain’s license. I knew I wanted to be a captain but didn’t know how to get there until I was introduced to her.” Haley Seda, Captain, NYC Ferry
“In my first job, I worked with a female deckhand who told me that I can do anything that the guys on the boat do. She was the reason I decided to move up. She led by example.”-Jacqueline Hertel-Messina, Captain, NYC Ferry
“A previous female director I worked for brought me into tourism and taught me the ropes. She is the reason I’m here today as a sales manager specializing in Asia-Pacific markets.”-Amanda Jiang, International Tour & Travel Group Sales Manager, Niagara 
City Cruises
“I’ve received so much support from my Port Captain throughout the years. This support has really instilled in me the confidence needed to handle a vessel. The port captain saw a capability in me that I didn’t initially see in myself. The respect, trust, and appreciation I’ve received from passengers and Crew alike is incredible.”-Jacquelene Vicente, Captain, City Cruises Marina del Rey
“International Women’s Day is always a good opportunity to pause and reflect on how women have impacted me in the last 12 months, and what it has meant to be
a part of that community. In our space (tours and activities) and the broader travel industry, women make up 50% of the workforce and only 21% of C-suite roles. It’s a pattern of slower progression that starts at the entry-level, so I think a lot about what we are doing to create opportunities for learning and development for our youngest staff members. I also like to reflect on the women who have shaped my journey.”-Roisin O’Sullivan, Global Managing Director, Walks and Devour
“For me, it’s a day to celebrate progress but also to reflect on what’s next. In our company, we’re lucky to have so many incredible women leading the way, but that’s not the case everywhere. It’s a reminder that true equality isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating a culture where everyone, regardless of gender, has the same opportunities, voice, and support.”-Linda Condorelli, VP of Operations, Walks and Devour Tours
Celebrating Women Leading the Way
In a male-dominated field, celebrating women is essential to recognizing their groundbreaking contributions, challenging stereotypes, and inspiring future generations to pursue their passions without limits. They had this to share.
“Celebrating female achievements in the travel and hospitality industry is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it showcases the
significant contributions women have made to a sector that is often male-dominated, highlighting their leadership, creativity, and resilience. Secondly, by recognizing these accomplishments, we not only honor their hard work but also inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in this field.”-Alyson Schmidt, Director of Food and Beverage, City Cruises Toronto
“Travel and hospitality have long been industries where women make up a huge percentage of the workforce, yet leadership roles remain disproportionately male. Celebrating female achievements isn’t just about recognition—it’s about visibility and breaking outdated norms. When we highlight women excelling in this space, we inspire others to step up, lead, and shape the industry in new ways. It’s also about rewriting the narrative: women aren’t just the backbone of hospitality, we’re also the visionaries driving innovation and change.”-Lauren Aloise, VP of Marketing, Walks and Devour Tour
Looking Ahead: Women Leading the Way at Hornblower
At Hornblower, we are proud to have an incredible team of women leading the way. Their dedication and passion inspire us daily, and we are committed to continuing to support and empower women in the maritime industry. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women of Hornblower who make every voyage special. Thank you for your hard work and leadership, and for proving that the industry’s future is bright with women at the helm. Take a moment to honor the women in your life with an unforgettable cruise experience in one of our incredible ports.
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Original Post Date: May 7, 2025