Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) elected Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, CEO of TOTOTHEO Maritime, as International President and Diane Edwards, General Manager People, Systems and Technology Ports of Auckland as International Secretary at their 37th International Annual General Meeting in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on October 4, 2017.
Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou is the CEO of TOTOTHEO Maritime, a leading maritime technology and satellite communications enablement business. She has served on the Executive Committee of WISTA International as Secretary for the last two years and is the founding President of WISTA Cyprus. Panayiotou Theodosiou is on the board of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. She is taking over the position from Karin Orsel, CEO of MF Shipping Group, who has held this role for the last six years.
"It is an honour to take over the role of President of WISTA, supporting and serving an association whose potential I believe in and support. WISTA has an important role in the shipping industry and it is one we should embrace, remaining true to the values and identity that make us what we are. I take over this role from Karin Orsel who has achieved much in her tenure, both in growing our association and giving it a stronger sense of value" said Panayiotou Theodosiou.
Diane Edwards is the General Manager People, Systems and Technology at the Ports of Auckland Limited. Working with the port since 2011 following a consultancy roll at the New Zealand Ministry of Transport and roles with P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk New Zealand, Diane has had an eclectic career which includes teaching, banking, accounting, IT, training change management and human resources. In her six years with Ports of Auckland Limited she has helped revitalize the port through technological innovation and coalition building with the port workers.
WISTA International is the leading network of decision making women in shipping and trading around the world. WISTA International is guided by the Executive Committee: Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, President, WISTA Cyprus; Diane Edwards, Secretary, WISTA New Zealand; Rachel Lawton, Treasurer, WISTA UK; Jeannie Grasso, Member, WISTA USA; Sangam Gupta, Member, WISTA India;Katerina Stathopoulou, Member, WISTA Hellas; Naa Densua Aryeetey, Member, WISTA Ghana.
Representing nearly 3,000 members in 40 countries around the world, WISTA promotes increased competency, knowledge and development for women in the maritime industry. WISTA International members work in all sectors of the maritime industry, including finance, ship building, seafarers, governing and regulatory bodies, brokers and more. The International body meets annually to vote on protocols, guidelines and strategic direction. 32 Countries were represented at the 2017 International Annual Meeting. More than 280 individuals attended the parallel conference on Future-Proof Maritime Solutions.
