Columbia Shipmanagement launched the CSM TogetHER initiative

June 4, 2019

In support of IMO’s 2019 efforts, ‘Empowering Women in the Maritime Community’, and as a company that employs hundreds of women globally, on June 4, 2019, Columbia Shipmanagement launched the CSM TogetHER initiative.

To kick-start this initiative, Columbia Cyprus invited the President of WISTA International, Despina Panayiotou Theodossiou, to give a staff talk on ‘Women in Shipping’. Anna Vourgos, President of WISTA Cyprus Official also addressed the audience and talked about WISTA Cyprus.

Columbia Shipmanagement’s Board of Directors has committed to a long-term action plan which includes the creation of a Women’s Mentorship Programme, Unconscious Bias training and the sponsorship of a number of WISTA memberships for female staff. Core teams have been set up throughout the Cyprus, Germany and Singapore offices for a joint approach to supporting female talent.

As first steps, CSM Cyprus has welcomed 2 Cypriot female cadets from the Cyprus Maritime Academy, whilst CSM St. Petersburg office has welcomed their first female deck cadet. Mark O’Neil, President of Columbia Shipmanagement, said: “At Columbia, we recognise the specific skill sets of each person and want to empower those persons to apply their skills in a diverse environment of equal opportunity.”

Phot – left to right: P. Vakis- CSM CFO, N.Sey-CSM Admin. Assistant Marketing, A. Hadjipetrou-CSM MD, Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou – WISTA International President, A. Vourgos-WISTA CY President, M. O’Neil-CSM President, M. Theodosiou-GenPro Commercial Manager.

Photo: Columbia Shipmanagement