Theodosiou Re-Elected WISTA International President

Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, co-CEO of Tototheo Maritime, has been re-elected for a second term as Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) International President during the association’s 39th Annual General Meeting, held in the Cayman Islands on October 30, 2019.

 

Theodosiou served as WISTA International Secretary before being elected president in 2017. She is also a founder of WISTA Cyprus and serves on the Board of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation and the Cyprus Maritime Academy.

 

"I am honored to be re-elected to a second term as President of WISTA International," said Theodosiou. "2020 will be another exciting year for WISTA around the world, and I'm looking forward to continuing the momentum. WISTA is committed to creating change in the industry and leading by example. It is important for us to focus toward the breadth of potential solutions and answers that diversity can bring us.

 

“As 2019 draws to a close, I can already look back and see the work we have achieved within WISTA International and the amount of work and energy put by national WISTA associations around the world. We should all be proud of what we have achieved over the years,” said Theodosiou. “In the coming years we must make sure we continue to encourage, help and create opportunities. The goal of diversity is to create a level playing field of opportunity for all.”

 

Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, President of Total Marine Solutions (WISTA USA) in Florida, was elected as Secretary. Anagnostis-Irons is Immediate Past President of WISTA USA. Anagnostis-Irons takes over the position from Diane Edwards of WISTA New Zealand.

 

"WISTA plays an increasingly important role in giving women a voice in the future of our industry," said Anagnostis-Irons. "It is an honor to be elected as Secretary, representing the interests of female professionals in nearly 50 countries."

 

Fabiana Simões Martins (WISTA Brazil), was elected as a Board Member, to the WISTA International Executive Committee. Martins is Partner at Siano & Martins Advogados Associados, a Rio de Janeiro based law firm focused on maritime law. Martins is the Immediate Past President of WISTA Brazil and a founder of WISTA Brazil. She has helped expand WISTA International throughout South America in the last five years.

 

"I am very honored and excited to be able to serve this association, which shares the values that I believe are essential to face the challenges of our society: professional, dynamic, open-minded and committed," said Martins.

 

Naa Densua Aryeetey (WISTA Ghana), Head, Shipper's Services & Trade Facilitation, Ghana Shippers' Authority, was re-elected to a third term as a Board Member. Aryeetey has served on the Executive Committee since 2015, facilitating development and collaboration throughout the African region, including the re-activation of WISTA South Africa earlier this year.

 

"My re-election as Chair of the African Region is a testament to the work WISTA International is doing in Africa, reaching out to women in maritime and trade," said Aryeetey.

 

Karin Orsel, CEO, MF Shipping Group, was honored as the 2019 WISTA International Personality of the Year. Orsel is extremely active in the maritime community. She currently serves as Co-chairman of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, Vice Chairman and board member of the International Chamber of Shipping, Executive Committee Member of INTERTANKO, on the Board of BIMCO, as a Trustee of the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network, Chairman of MFG Seafarers fund, and is Immediate Past President of WISTA International.