WOMEN MAKING WAVES
my foot in the door. That mindset of jumping in wherever needed earned respect, opened doors, and showed me that opportunity often follows effort. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? The most rewarding part of my career has been seeing the success of those I’ ve believed in, hired, or mentored ― especially women in the marine and automotive industries. As a USCG Capt. and Freedom Boat Club new member trainer, I’ m also incredibly proud to help inspire women to get on the water, teaching them to drive and master their boating skills to build confidence and truly enjoy the sport. Watching them grow, both professionally and personally, and then go on to inspire others ― that ripple effect is what motivates me most. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? It’ s been rewarding, not difficult. Throughout my career, I’ ve been fortunate to work with inspiring, successful leaders who took the time to mentor and encourage me. Jerry Nordskog, Wiley Poole, Warren Kosikov, and Bryan Robb were especially influential in shaping my path. Their belief in me opened doors and fueled my growth, and I’ m deeply grateful for their support. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Let your passion show. When you truly love what you do, it comes through in your work. Passion drives results and opens doors. Set goals and own your path. You are your own best advocate, know your worth. Be clear about what you want and don’ t be afraid to ask for it. Growth requires readiness. Don’ t fear someone being ready to take your place. That’ s not a threat, it’ s how you grow. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Stand-up paddle surfing, SCUBA diving, beach time with my husband, Todd, and our dogs, Teak and Saylor.
MAGGIE NUNLEY
SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCT & OPERATIONS, MARINALIFE & SNAG-A-SLIP
Education: M. A., International Relations from the University of St Andrews in Scotland
Maggie Nunley
Years in the Marine Industry: 8 years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held at those companies: Product and technology manager at Oasis Marinas( former parent company of Marinalife & Snag-A-Slip), managed product development for Snag-A-Slip and Marinalife, and led IT systems and technology implementations across Oasis Marinas’ network. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? One of the biggest lessons has been the importance of adaptability. No two marinas, boaters, or seasons are alike, and building products that work across such a diverse landscape requires flexibility, empathy, and constant iteration. I’ ve also learned how important relationships and trust are in this industry ― it’ s a close-knit community, and collaboration is everything. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? Leading the transition of Snag-A-Slip to a fully custom-built reservation platform and launching its first mobile app stand out. These projects completely reshaped how our customers and marina partners interact with the platform. It was rewarding to build something that not only improved the user experience but also directly supported the growth and success of our marina partners. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Coming from a non-boating background,
there was a learning curve, especially around the terminology and operational nuances of marinas and boating. But the marine industry is filled with incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable people who are happy to share what they know. That support made the transition much smoother than I expected. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? I hope to show that you don’ t need a traditional background to make an impact. There’ s space for different perspectives in this industry, and sometimes it’ s the people who come in with fresh eyes that help drive the biggest changes. I’ m originally from New Mexico and came into the marine world after working in a cybersecurity technology startup ― about as far from marinas as you can get. But I found a place here by bringing my skills to the technology side of the industry. I try to be open, collaborative, and encouraging, especially to women who are just starting out or exploring new paths. What is your favorite place to go boating? Chesapeake Bay will always be special to me. It’ s where I got my start in the marina industry, and it offers such a wide variety of places to explore, from quiet anchorages to vibrant waterfront towns. These days, I love getting out on the water closer to home on eastern Long Island, whether it’ s sailing in the bay or enjoying the views from shore. There’ s something timeless and restorative about this coast.
FREYA OLSEN
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT, MARINE RETAILERS ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS( MRAA)
Education: BA in Communications, Lake Forest College Years in the marine industry: 21years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies: Head sailing master / race committee at Crystal Lake Yacht Club, head Opti coach at Lake Forest Sailing, and integrated marketing coordinator, grow boating manager, senior program manager of Discover Boating, assistant director of Discover Boating,
20 june 2025 www. boatingindustry. com