MLA College’s Marketing Communications Officer, Esme Burns, recently caught up with an MLA Tutor to ask her all about her appearance in the list of the Top 100 Women in Shipping for 2025.
Gina Panayiotou has now been named in the list for 6 years in a row and this year finds herself climbing to 7th spot, in a list which recognises the female powerhouses in the global shipping industries.
Esme: Hi Gina, huge congratulations on being named in the Top 100 Women in Shipping list…again! What does this achievement mean to you both professionally and personally?
Gina: On a personal note, when I first saw my name in that inaugural list 6 years ago it was a game-changing feeling. It is no secret that maritime is a male-dominated industry and especially in the very early days of my career in shipping, I frequently found myself feeling isolated and demotivated. Discovering WISTA was one of the key reasons I am still in this sector, yet admittingly seeing that list of 100+ powerhouse women making waves in the sector, was the ultimate boost of inspiration I needed to continue this journey with even greater conviction. Truly grateful to the All about Shipping team for featuring me in that first one but most importantly for bringing this much needed list to life, as a platform to showcase what we need to see the most, role models.
Professionally, having now being consistently featured for 6 years in a row, this year rising to the 7th place it is a testament to the fact that when you care about making a genuine impact in the industry you serve and are fully invested in developing your skills and expanding your knowledge this will not go unnoticed. And when people notice, this builds up credibility in the industry, which is the strongest asset you can have to pave your way forward.
So, this achievement is very close to my heart, it then came as a pleasant surprise and today remains a touching moment. Personally, it warms up my heart, fuels me to stay strong on this journey amid the challenges and setbacks and professionally it has contributed in its own way to where I am today.
Esme: It’s certainly an incredible achievement. What advice would you give to women aspiring to build a career in shipping/maritime related industries?
Gina: The advice I give to all young professionals seeking to pursue a career in this sector is for one make sure you are in it for the right reason. This is one of the most important industries to the world, to global trade, to daily life as we know it, as a bare minimum you need to have a respect for it. Secondly, I say set yourself apart by building your personal brand. Invest in knowledge, education, staying updated on current news, using your LinkedIn to have a voice and network. Networking is key to not only meet people but learn for them and build relationships.
When it comes to women, I would also say you need to be bold, know your worth and be confident in your potential. Nothing can shutter that and also if you do not allow perception to limit you, it is more likely that you will not encounter it in others and even if you do (because yes sexism does exist) your conviction in who you are and what you can bring to the table ensures that you remain focused on your journey, dismissing such distractions. Also, may I note here that for young women looking to work on their brand, they can DM me on LinkedIn to join my mentoring community where we offer useful and practical tips on this.
Esme: I’m finding that networking really is key in the business world! It’s also interesting to hear your point about confidence, and I really believe that the belief in your own abilities is vital. What role has education played in your career development, and how do you think institutions like MLA College contribute to the growth of professionals in the industry?
Gina: Education has been the core and backbone of my career development, and I am a passionate advocate of life-long learning. It expands your knowledge but most importantly it builds up your confidence and credibility as a professional in the sector. At a time where anybody can claim to be anything, I truly do believe that educating yourself to build up an area of expertise, or to transition into something new or stay updated with developments, is what sets you apart.
In my journey I started out as lawyer with a law degree, and I specialised in Maritime law. When I joined as in-house counsel for a shipowner it soon became apparent to me that to do my job well, I also needed to understand the business side of things. This then led me to pursue an MBA, and I have in the meantime and since obtained several other trainings and certifications which have helped with evolve and grow as a credible professional in the sector.
MLA college offers a fantastic opportunity for growth as it delivers quality in a flexible format, this means that it is attainable for people working at sea, people who travel frequently, women and men who may need that flexibility due to family commitments etc. Therefore, I truly believe that the courses offered at MLA are not only a great way to develop knowledge, but they also offer expertise from the commercial reality of the industry alongside the freedom to follow them irrespective of other commitments.
Esme: Thank you so much for speaking with me Gina, and once again a huge congratulations from everybody at MLA College.
