WOMEN MAKING WAVES
and it has been a welcoming experience. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? This is true in any industry, and for women and men: always trust your gut instincts. Lean on what you’ ve learned throughout life, not just from your last job. There are no easy paths, some people are really good at making things look effortless or operate with a level of high confidence that glosses over the real work that went into something. Long-term success requires grit and determination. This is a motto from a youth sports camp my kids have been involved with:“ Talent is what you have, effort is what you give.” It applies to everyone in whatever is being pursued. What is your favorite place to go boating? I am on the water in Maine every summer in the Casco Bay region. My long-term goal is to keep the Maine coastal explorations going but I also love the Sebago Lakes region, and we do a watersports outing every summer which is amazing family fun.
CATHERINE CARLSON
MARINE MARKETING MANAGER, AFTERMARKET, LIPPERT
Catherine Carlson
Education: BA, Communications / Advertising; MBA Years in the marine industry: 20 years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held at those companies: User research specialist, portfolio analyst, and marketing manager at Boston Whaler /
Brunswick Boat Group, marketing communications manager at Teledyne Marine, and marketing manager at SHOXS. What first drew you to the marine industry? I knew I belonged on a boat the first time I experienced a day on the water in my teens. It did not occur to me that I could make a living in this industry until I was fortunate enough to get an internship at Boston Whaler just out of college. The lifestyle initially drew me in, but the people and products motivated me to stay – now going on 20 years. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? It’ s a small industry – you are likely to cross paths with former colleagues again, so reputation and staying power matters. Opportunities for growth are nearly endless, but you must be willing to step outside of your comfort zone. Be invested in your career path, but don’ t take it too seriously. Life ebbs and flows, and your career will too. Find what works for you in the life stage you’ re in and give it all you’ ve got at that moment. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? I was excited to be on the ground floor of a new“ Voice of the Customer” initiative at Boston Whaler early in my career, and it led to my involvement in the launch of the 370 Outrage. I interviewed dozens of Whaler owners for insights and pored through research, customer service calls, and warranty claims. We realized that many of our designers and engineers had never been offshore fishing, so I organized a deep-sea fishing trip so they could experience a day on the water from the boater’ s perspective. Those efforts led to a truly innovative product that the team was very proud of. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Never stop learning. It’ s easy to get caught up in the way we’ ve always done things, but this industry is ripe for innovation and advancement, and we must take action. There are plenty of ways to enhance individual skills, but it’ s up to each of us to find the opportunities and go after them.
Contribute! Get involved in the industry in a way that you’ re passionate about. There are so many different organizations to choose from that are doing great work every single day. Start small and work your way into it as you progress your career.
Carolina Camps
CAROLINA CAMPS
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER, BRUNSWICK – SEA RAY, BOSTON WHALER & NAVAN INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
Years in the marine industry: 13 years Other companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held at those companies: Sales and marketing support at an SnS Marine & Chris Craft dealership, business development manager at De Antonio Yachts, and Sea Ray, Boston Whaler and Navan International Division for Brunswick. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? Witnessing the success of De Antonio Yachts. After dedicating significant time, effort, and above all, a passion for supporting the team and the brand, watching the company grow and reach new heights was incredibly rewarding. Being part of that journey and contributing to its evolution was definitely the experience I value the most and take great pride in. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Like any career path, it comes with its own challenges and opportunities. I believe that with hard work, continuous learning, and a genuine passion for what you do, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. Success in this industry, just like in any other, comes from consistently giving your best,
www. boatingindustry. com june 2025
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