Celebrating the Female Leaders Shaping the Future of Expedition Cruising

Expedition cruising has long been defined by courage, exploration and leadership. Today, women are shaping its trajectory across strategy, science, operations, sustainability and community engagement.

To mark International Women’s Day, Expedition Cruise Network invited our expedition cruise operator members to share the female-led initiatives within their organisations that inspire them most right now. We also reached out to travel trade partners to spotlight the wider leadership shaping our sector.

The result is a powerful snapshot of women leading at sea, on land, in laboratories, in boardrooms and within gateway communities around the world.

Operator Members Leading the Way

Selar

Redefining Arctic Stewardship

Selar highlights its involvement in Guardians of the Arctic, a female-led initiative co-created by Birgit M. Liodden and Captain Sophie Galvagnon.

Birgit, founder of The Ocean Opportunity Lab (TOOL), connects female leaders across ocean industries, climate innovation and policy to accelerate systemic change. As part of the family that owns Svalbard’s only private land, she has transformed legacy ownership into active stewardship, inviting a global collective of changemakers to help protect the region for future generations.

Together with Captain Sophie Galvagnon, one of the youngest women to command a polar expedition vessel, they designed a founding expedition to Svalbard that blends exploration, science and climate dialogue. Hosted aboard Selar’s low-emission sailing vessel and led by a largely female crew, the journey brings together scientists, entrepreneurs and explorers to contribute directly to Arctic preservation.

Selar itself was co-founded by three entrepreneurs, two of whom are women. From wind and solar-powered vessel design to crew parity ambitions, female leadership is embedded strategically and operationally.

Aqua Expeditions

Empowering Women in Leadership and Communities

At Aqua Expeditions, female leadership spans executive, technical and operational roles.

Gabriela Vizcarra, People and Culture Manager – Peru, represents the company’s commitment to developing women within leadership pathways. Beyond internal progression, Aqua actively partners with women in the destinations it visits. In the Peruvian Amazon, the company works with local women during excursions, rents their canoes and supports female artisans by purchasing handcrafted goods.

These partnerships strengthen cultural continuity while generating sustainable economic opportunity. Aqua views tourism as a platform for transmitting culture and creating meaningful local impact.

Oniric Safari Cruises

Elevating Ecuador Through Executive Travel

Alexandra Molina, Business Development Team Leader at Andean Travel Company, leads the CEO Exploration Ecuador programme, welcoming 80 international CEOs and their partners to Quito and the Galápagos in March 2026.

Designed over more than a year, the programme integrates local artisans, historians and community voices into a high-level executive travel experience. It generates employment across hospitality, guiding and cultural sectors while positioning Ecuador on a global stage.

Under female leadership, the initiative combines strategic ambition with measurable community benefit.

Royal Galapagos

Julissa: Leading with Confidence at Sea

Royal Galapagos celebrates Julissa, a trained Zodiac driver aboard Horizon.

After completing deckhand training in San Cristóbal, she joined as an intern and quickly secured a permanent role. With more than two years onboard, she plays a vital role in delivering safe and memorable landings.

Maritime roles are expanding for women globally, and Julissa’s presence in the Galápagos represents both professional achievement and local empowerment. Her example is visible and inspiring within her community.

UnCruise Adventures

Building Pathways to Maritime Leadership

UnCruise Adventures recognises two significant contributions.

Kirsty Bozlee, VP of Operations, has spent more than a decade shaping company culture through collaborative leadership and continuous learning.

Alongside executive leadership, UnCruise is increasing female representation in deck and engineering roles. The company identifies high-potential women and creates defined career pathways toward Captain, Mate and Chief Engineer positions. It already maintains a high percentage of women in these roles relative to industry benchmarks and continues to strengthen that trajectory.

Golden Galapagos

 Leading Circular Economy in Expedition Cruising

At Golden Experiences & Travel, female leadership shapes both the company’s structure and its sustainability approach. With two women executives guiding the organisation and women representing 62% of the team, collaboration and long-term impact are central to decision-making.

A key initiative is participation in WISE – Women in Sustainability Entrepreneurship, launched by Galapagos Conservancy. The programme supports women-led businesses in the Galapagos through funding, training and operational support, helping them scale sustainable ventures that connect directly to expedition tourism.

One example is Sin Lata, founded by Lucía Galarza, a zero-waste smoked tuna company that promotes responsible fishing and eliminates single-use packaging through returnable glass jars. Another is Darwin Eco Garden, founded by Cecilia Guerrero, which supplies chemical-free produce to expedition cruises.

These partnerships show how women-led entrepreneurship can strengthen local economies while advancing circular practices in expedition cruising.

Maple Leaf Adventures

Storytelling, Conservation and Collaboration

Supported by a strong female leadership team, Maple Leaf Adventures partners with the Canadian Geographic Society to host expeditions featuring Canadian Geographic Explorers as guest ambassadors.

Journeys through Haida Gwaii, the Salish Sea, Alaska and the Great Bear Rainforest bring artists, anthropologists and photographers onboard to share expertise directly with guests.

The initiative reflects a belief that storytelling, conservation and exploration are deeply interconnected.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP

Advancing Science at Sea

Dr. Megan Clampitt, Head of Science, leads the PONANT SCIENCE programme, integrating active scientific research into expedition voyages.

A marine scientist specialising in coral reef monitoring and restoration, Megan coordinates research institutions and onboard teams to enable meaningful data collection in remote regions. More than 300 researchers have participated in over 130 missions, including collaborations with NASA and leading universities. In 2025, 47% of participating researchers were women.

By embedding scientists at sea and making research visible to guests, the programme strengthens evidence-based conservation.

Polar Latitudes Expeditions

Connecting Industry and Community in Ushuaia

Florencia Torti, Operations Coordinator in Ushuaia, strengthens ties between expedition cruising and the gateway community.

A tourism graduate from the National University of Tierra del Fuego, she collaborates with schools and universities to share industry knowledge and promote career pathways. She connects Ushuaia-based guides with expedition opportunities and is developing a platform linking regional artisans with passengers.

Her work ensures that Antarctica’s gateway community benefits directly from the industry it supports.

HX Expeditions

Leadership Across Strategy, Culture and Field Operations

HX Expeditions highlights several women shaping its direction:

• Karin Strand, VP Expedition Development and Chair of AECO’s Executive Committee, helping define Arctic operational and environmental standards.

• Mariah Erkloo, Product Manager Arctic & Canada, integrating Inuit knowledge into itinerary development and supporting a community excursion programme returning 100% of revenue to Arctic communities.

• Jenna Silk, Marine Biologist & Expedition Guide, connecting guests to marine wildlife while raising conservation awareness.

• Tessa van Drie, Expedition Leader, providing senior field leadership and mentorship.

  
  

Together, they represent leadership across policy, product, science and frontline operations.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Executive Leadership Driving Growth

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions highlights strong female executive representation, including CEO Natalya Leahy, CSO Kathi Riddle, VP International Christine Stevens and Head of UK Sales Danielle Bates.

As the company expands internationally, female leadership remains central to its strategic direction and growth.

Travel Trade Leaders Making Waves

Beyond our operator members, women across the travel trade are strengthening the expedition cruise ecosystem.

Edwina Lonsdale

Managing Director, Mundy Cruising

Cruise Career Springboard

Founded in 2023 by Edwina Lonsdale and her partner Matthew, Cruise Career Springboard inspires Year 12 students to pursue careers in cruise, particularly shoreside roles that do not require a university degree.

Students develop communication, presentation and employability skills while learning about opportunities across sales, marketing, finance, HR and more. The programme includes classroom training, cruise line office visits and ship visits.

Now in its fourth year, it is expanding into apprenticeships and entry-level pathways, creating tangible routes into the industry. Supported by respected mentors and leading cruise lines, the programme is building the next generation of talent.

Heather Thorkelson

Founder, Polar Tracks Expeditions

“Throughout my career, I have made a conscious effort to seek out, support and amplify the women shaping our industry.

I have collaborated with Sophie Galvagnon on the launch of the low-carbon vessel Captain Arctic, appointed Lauren Farmer as Managing Director of Polar Tracks Expeditions and worked closely with Boo Borsberry-Woods, one of the polar field’s most respected trainers.

I also champion leaders such as Captain Philippa Bowden, polar scientist Allison Cusick and explorer Felicity Aston, whose work continues to transform our understanding of the polar regions.

These women elevate standards across the sector.”

Emma Sanger-Horwell

Cruise Director, Travelpack

“I was honoured to share my story for International Women’s Day. My career has felt like one long expedition, shaped by uncertainty, resilience and reinvention.

I began on the high street earning £5,000 a year, driven by passion. I became a mother, later a single parent, and eventually built my own business. I lost opportunities because I did not conform, yet I chose to remain authentic.

Today, I lead from the front. I stay closely connected to my sales teams and daily operations because strategic decisions require ground-level understanding.

If my journey encourages someone else to back themselves and carve their own path, then every challenge has been worthwhile.”

Bev Neal

Commercial & Product Director, Swoop Adventures

“I joined Swoop six months ago and lead an all-female Antarctica product and commercial team.

Leadership across expedition cruising is evolving. We are seeing more female CEOs, growing investment in female captains and increasing representation in senior shipboard roles. Visibility creates momentum.

At Swoop, we are embedding female-focused initiatives into our product strategy — supporting women in destination communities, amplifying female voices and ensuring leadership pathways are accessible.

Guiding an all-female Antarctica team during a period of strong sector growth feels significant and energising.”

Anna Perrot

CCO at Panache Cruises

Elevating Expedition Through Storytelling and Strategy

“At Panache Cruises, one of the female-led initiatives I am most excited about is the work we are doing to elevate our expedition and content marketing.

Expedition cruising is an emotional product — raw landscapes, wildlife encounters, expert insight and transformative experiences. Traditional cruise marketing has not always captured that depth. What excites me is that we are now telling those stories properly through richer editorial, stronger destination insight and high-quality video.

This project is driven by an exceptionally talented female-led marketing team. What stands out is the balance of creativity and strategy they bring. The content is thoughtful, educational and immersive — designed to inspire confidence in clients who are new to expedition travel while deepening the knowledge of seasoned explorers.

For me, this reflects the tangible impact of female leadership in shaping brand evolution. It is commercially smart, innovative and positioning Panache Cruises as a true authority in expedition travel.

Personally, it is rewarding to see talented women within our business driving something so forward-thinking. It reflects the culture we are building — ambitious, creative and confident in telling our story differently.”

Conclusion

Across expedition cruising and the wider travel trade, women are driving strategy, commanding vessels, advancing science, building commercial growth and creating opportunities for future generations.

These stories reflect sustained progress and purposeful leadership. They demonstrate how representation strengthens performance, how inclusion fuels innovation and how leadership grounded in collaboration benefits communities and the environment alike.

International Women’s Day provides a moment of recognition. The momentum evident across our sector demonstrates that women are actively shaping the next chapter of expedition cruising and that leadership continues to evolve with strength, vision and confidence.

Thank you for reading.