doing real damage to businesses and jobs across the industry. What made the win possible was uniting and working with the industry on a common cause and making a case that was impossible to ignore. Getting this one reversed is genuinely rare, and anyone who works in this field knows exactly what that means. That moment validated everything-- the relationships, the persistence, the coalitionbuilding-- and it ' s a win I ' ll carry with me for the rest of my career. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? The marine industry has a strong culture, which is a strength, but it also means you have to earn your credibility. Coming in as a government relations professional rather than someone who grew up in the industry, I had to demonstrate expertise and deliver results before I had a real seat at the table. In Canada, being bilingual in a federally focused role has been an advantage I don ' t take for granted. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? Women belong in every room where decisions are being made. Full stop. I hope that by showing up, leading with confidence and delivering results, I make that easier for the women who come after me. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Find the place where your skills create real value and go deep. Build genuine relationships, not just a network. And don ' t wait to be invited to the conversation. Bring your expertise, do the work and credibility will follow. What is your favorite place to go boating? The Ottawa River. It may not be the most glamorous water or the most scenic destination, but it ' s where my earliest memories of being on the water were made. No matter where my role may take me, there ' s something about being on that river that always feels like home. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? I play hockey with a team called the Bambis-- which should tell you everything you need to know about how seriously we take ourselves. During COVID, I rounded up a group of fellow hockey moms who had never played the game and suggested we give it a shot. Nobody said no, which was either brave or foolish-- probably both. That one scrappy team has since grown into a community of 14 teams, all women in their 40s and 50s picking up skates for the first time. At its core, it ' s just women showing up for each other-- and there ' s nothing I love more than that.
KRISTY MADRACKI
MANAGER OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, C-TOW MARINE ASSISTANCE
Years in the marine industry: 5 years What first drew you to the marine industry? My love for the water and boating from a young age. I grew up on Tea Lake, and some of my best memories are from being on the water with family and friends ― it’ s always felt like home to me. As I got older, I also came to understand how quickly a fun day on the water can turn stressful when something goes wrong. That’ s why I’ m so passionate about what I do with C-Tow. I get to be part of keeping boaters safe and helping people when they need it most ― and that purpose, combined with the boating community, is what made this industry the right fit for me. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? One of the biggest lessons is that reputation is everything ― people remember how you show up when they need you most. I’ ve also learned the value of calm leadership under pressure, because on the water, conditions change quickly and you have to make good decisions fast. Finally, I’ ve learned that growth comes from listening: to customers, to captains, to dealers and partners ― the best improvements usually come straight from the people living it every day. If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? Helping grow and modernize a legacy marine assistance business while protecting what made it trusted in the first place. Being part of expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships and improving how we support boaters ― while staying grounded in service and safety ― has been incredibly meaningful. It’ s memorable because it’ s not just“ a project,” it impacts real families on the water. Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? At times, yes ― it’ s still a male-dominated industry, and you sometimes have to work a little harder to be heard before you’ re taken seriously. But I’ ve also found the marine community can be incredibly supportive when you show up consistently, know your stuff and lead with integrity. The challenges pushed me to become more confident, more direct and more focused on results. How do you hope to inspire other women in the marine industry? I hope to inspire other women by showing that you don’ t have to fit a certain mold to succeed here. You can lead with professionalism, empathy and strength all at once. I also want to be someone who opens doors ― by sharing what I’ ve learned, recommending women for opportunities and helping create a culture where women feel welcome, respected and supported to grow in industries such as this. What advice do you have for women starting their careers in the marine industry? Be bold and say yes to learning opportunities early, even if you don’ t feel 100 % ready ― confidence comes from experience. Ask questions, find mentors and don’ t be afraid to take up space in the room. Build relationships, follow through on what you promise and remember that your perspective is valuable ― the industry needs more voices, not fewer. What is your favorite place to go boating? Lake Simcoe ― it’ s my backyard and where I grew up. You can usually find me in Chickens Bay hanging out with my family when I’ m not traveling around Ontario for boating events. It’ s
26 june 2026 www. boatingindustry. com