KATE WINER INTEGRATED POWER SYSTEMS SENIOR MANAGER, NAVICO GROUP

What first drew you to the marine industry? It was the first internship I landed in college, and I ' ve never been able to leave the industry since— I fell in love with it. What accomplishment are you most proud of? I ' m proud of how my career has evolved alongside the growth of the industry and the company I ' ve been a part of. At Navico, I ' ve worked across nearly all our product lines, gaining extensive product experience, most recently leading Fathom e-Power Systems. Being part of Brunswick has given me the chance to work on various cross-divisional initiatives, from starting as a junior designer to leading projects. The chance to continuously learn, adapt, and grow within the same company is rare these days for an extended tenure. It ' s a personal commitment to challenge yourself while also finding the right company fit. As a young professional, what are the biggest challenges you’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them? Entering an industry driven by consumer passion and aspiration as a young professional with no prior boating experience was overwhelming, to say the least. My solution was to build expertise incrementally. I began with lighting, then moved on to seating and water systems, before progressing to larger power management systems. Regardless of your starting point— product design, business, or operations— prioritizing building a strong technical foundation is critical. Simultaneously, immerse yourself in the boater ' s culture, lifestyle, and passion, as they are the driving force behind your work— and watch out because you will fall in love with it. Where is your favorite place to go boating? My heart belongs to Lake Michigan. A summer weekend well spent includes a pontoon adventure down the Grand River, a stop at the farmers market, past the lighthouse, and throttle down to the endless stretches of West Michigan beaches. Each day is different— solitude, socializing, or simply enjoying the water and sun. Watching my kids fall in love with the water and the escape that they get once they hit the big lake is really special. Who was your hero as a child? I adored Little Women and wanted to become Jo March. Her spirited nature, creative thinking, and devotion. I ended up naming my daughter after her.

TO THE 2025 BOATING INDUSTRY 40 UNDER 40 AWARD WINNERS!

32 march / april 2025 www. boatingindustry. com