What was your first job? My first job in the marine industry was owning a marine insurance agency. I hated it. Spreadsheets, policies, risk tables, I felt completely boxed in. But looking back, it was the best foundation I could’ ve had. I learned how deals are structured, where liability lives and how money really moves in yachting. It wasn’ t glamorous, but it gave me armor. What accomplishments are you most proud of? Building Professional Women in Yachting into something that actually moves money toward impact. Not just networking. Not just greenwashing. Not just pretty panels. We’ ve donated over $ 40,000 to charity, launched the Blue Guardians pledge program and lobbied with the City of Hollywood to help advance a sea turtle hospital. And of course, creating a platform that empowers women and protects the ocean? That’ s the win. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? Yes – but not in the traditional“ corporate ladder” sense. My mentors were powerful women who showed me what grace under pressure looks like and men in the industry who didn’ t feel threatened by ambition. And honestly? A few people who underestimated me. They were wildly motivating. As a young professional, what are the biggest challenges you’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them? Being underestimated. The marine industry still skews male and legacy driven. When you’ re young, female and confident; you’ re either dismissed or scrutinized. I chose to let results speak. And now the same rooms that questioned me are asking for collaborations, and I am grateful. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? By proving you don’ t have to shrink yourself to succeed here. You can be feminine and powerful. Philanthropic and profitable. Luxury-driven and conservation-focused. I want women( and men) to see that you can sit at the brokerage table, host the cocktail party, raise the capital and still care about turtle hatchlings. There’ s room for both power and purpose for men and women. How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success? I pay attention to energy – the right people, the right moment, the right room. If those things line up, incredible things can happen. My approach is to create the environment where opportunity naturally shows up: bring interesting people together, tell a compelling story and make it something people want to be part of. Some people call it strategy. I think of it more like controlled chaos with a good eye for timing and of course patience. What boat did you learn to boat on? I grew up driving a 13-foot Boston Whaler to grab pizza on Friday nights in Cape May. Boats were just a part of my life. My parents had a few Hatteras sport fish boats over the years and a lineup of center consoles, so my childhood was spent on the water – from Cape May to Jupiter and the Bahamas, I feel super lucky to have those memories. Where is your favorite place to go boating? The Bahamas. That water is unreal, turquoise in every direction. There’ s nothing like gliding across it on a flat day, music blasting and nowhere to be except the next sandbar. The place instantly resets you and reminds you exactly why we boat in the first place.
Who was your hero as a child? My dad. He taught me how to read tides, drive a boat and never be intimidated by dock lines. He didn’ t raise me to sit on the bow looking pretty – he raised me to drive. But more than the boating lessons, he gave me confidence. He’ s always believed in me, offered honest advice when I needed it most, and supported every step of my journey. Seeing him stand behind the mission of PWY – empowering women in the marine industry and protecting our oceans – means more to me than I can put into words. What are some of your non-boating hobbies? Designing over-the-top luxury events Traveling to beautiful coastal places Hosting dinners or small gatherings with interesting people Mentorship conversations over martinis Enjoying my family and friends Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry? The marine industry is incredibly global and exposes you to people from every walk of life, different cultures, countries, professions and perspectives. It’ s one of the few industries where you can meet someone from halfway across the world and instantly have something in common: a love for the ocean. It’ s a connection that crosses borders, languages and cultures, and that’ s what makes this industry so special. 5 stars. Definitely recommend.
JOSHUA MURPHY
MILLROOM GROUP LEADER / MANUFACTURING LEADERSHIP, TIARA YACHTS
What accomplishments
are you most proud of? One accomplishment I’ m most proud of is helping build systems that allow people and teams to succeed long after a project is finished. In manufacturing, it’ s easy to focus only on production numbers, but lasting impact comes from developing people and improving processes. I’ ve been fortunate to help create training structures and leadership alignment that strengthen teams and improve performance. Seeing individuals grow in their roles and watching teams operate with greater clarity and confidence has been incredibly rewarding. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? I’ ve been fortunate to work with leaders who believed in giving people real responsibility early in their careers. Those experiences taught me the value
www. boatingindustry. com march 2026
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