// PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP
BI : On the professional development front , what training has been most impactful for you ? LK : The Dale Carnegie Course and the University of St . Thomas Opus College of Business Leadership & Management Program have helped shape my leadership style . The Carnegie course taught me a lot about connecting with folks on a personal level and being able to better present in front of others , while the St . Thomas course taught me how to better work with my team .
BI : Last great business book / author , webinar or seminar / presenter ? LK : I really enjoyed Stay Sane in an Insane World , by Greg Harden . The book was recommended by our past MRAA Board President Jeff Strong and has great inspirational messaging . The quote “ You have to believe big to become big ” is on the mini chalkboard on my desk .
I also loved the Women ’ s Seminar Panel at the Miami Boat Show facilitated by Michele Goldsmith . I always get great nuggets from these events , and it ’ s so cool to be in a room with other women in the industry and those who support us .
BI : Do you have a mantra ? LK : “ Demand the ball ,” a quote from Wolfpack by Abby Wambach . It ’ s all about understanding your strengths and that of your organization and telling others they can trust you to take them where they need to go to be successful .
BI : Speaking of success , what are the top traits you believe are critical for marine industry leaders ? LK : Resilience , innovation and empathy . The marine industry has lots of ups and downs , and it ’ s so easily impacted – positively or
Keener and husband Josh are die-hard Vikings fans .
Liz Keener was on hand to receive the 40 Under 40 award this year at the Boating Industry Top 100 gala celebration , flanked by event co-emcees and former editors Adam Quandt , left , and David Gee .
negatively – by market swings . You must be resilient to work in an industry with that much quick change . You must also be innovative and know which levers to pull at which times to impact our industry ’ s customers , and those who serve the customers . Finally , empathy . In this industry we must deal with fluctuation and many of us wear a lot of hats . We must be empathetic as our teams adjust to change , and that requires flexibility .
BI : From your perspective , what ’ s the industry ’ s most significant challenge and opportunity ? LK : The customer experience . We all recognize that boats are a major purchase , and we must be able to serve the customer in a way that makes them comfortable with that purchase . Whether it ’ s focusing on the dealer-manufacturer relationship , improving repair / event cycle-time , better educating our teams or finding more ways to get customers to use their boats , we all must work together to serve the customer . Without buyers , we have no business in boating .
BI : To wrap up , let ’ s shift gears . Outside the work environment , what do you do for fun ? LK : My two biggest passions are NFL football and anything with a motor . I ’ m a raving Minnesota Vikings fan and spend much of my Fall either hosting family for Vikings games or attendings as many in-person as I can . And I ’ ve always been a motorhead . My pride and joy is my 1965 Impala , and my husband Josh and I are currently rebuilding a 1954 Jeep .
In my free time , I run a classic car club , bringing together classic car enthusiasts twice per month , from May through September . I help manage logistics , budgeting , sponsorships , registration , member relations and marketing . This is my 25th year as a member of the club .
When I ’ m not in a classic car , you can find me on my motorcycle or my snowmobile , or under the hood of any of the above !
Wanda Kenton Smith runs Kenton Smith Marketing and is a veteran journalist , business writer and former editor of both consumer sports and marine trade magazines .
38 march / april 2025 www . boatingindustry . com