Who We Are
WIMOs is dedicated to retaining, advancing, and promoting women in maritime operations through sharing knowledge and continuing education.
WIMOs reaches out to all women regardless of races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identity and national origins who are employed in the operational aspect of the maritime industry, or who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to the promotion of women into careers in the maritime industry.
Membership is open to any woman who is employed by a maritime operator, or has equivalent safety, military, non-profit, or educational industry experience. Exceptions might be made for women who have graduated from a Maritime Academy, have had experience in the United States Coast Guard, or have equivalent military experience.
Founders Statement
In 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kasey Eckstein (founder) and Jenna Gaudet (co-founder) started doing business together in the maritime industry. Kasey and Jenna’s business relationship immediately started to benefit one another’s careers. They were sharing contacts, educating each other, informing one another of various industry events and attending these mostly male-dominated industry events together. They worked as a team and became friends, much like the men in the industry had done for generations prior. They recognized that they were stronger together and formed WIMOs in order to give other women in maritime the opportunity to Educate, Engage and Elevate one another. The organization was founded in New Orleans and quickly expanded to Western Kentucky, the Ohio Valley Region, the Texas Gulf Coast, the Pacific Northwest and Florida.