Eli Vassenden Awarded the WISTA Leadership Award 2015

Eli Vassenden, COO Ship Management in Grieg Star, has been awarded the WISTA LeaderShip Award 2015 by WISTA Norway as recognition of her contribution the maritime industry, her competency and leadership skills within the traditionally male dominated role of COO. The award is handed out at Nor-Shipping’s Opening Conference on 2 June.

”Eli Vassenden has lived up to WISTA’s core values and contributed to the development of the maritime industry through her many years working in a traditionally male dominated role of COO. She is professional, open-minded and dedicated, and an important role model for younger women in the industry”, says Bjørg Ekornrud, President for WISTA Norway.

Eli has worked in the shipping industry for more than 30 years, mainly within management, acquisitions and logistics in addition to ship management and crewing. She also has extensive international experience, from both Europe and the Far East.

“It is an honor to be nominated to the LeaderShip Award, and to be chosen to represent women in a proud industry both national and international,” says Eli Vassenden.

The jury says the following in its argument:
Eli Vassenden is responsible for ship management and crewing in Grieg Star. The company has 269 employees on shore of which 120 are in Norway and 859 seafarers, offices in Oslo and Bergen in Norway, as well as a crewing office in Manila, The Philippines. She is also heading the Contingency and Compliance group in Grieg Star.

For many years, Eli Vassenden was heading the negotiating committee of Incentra, a maritime purchasing organization for more than 40 large and medium Norwegian shipping companies. Here she also was elected Director to the Board, and later also elected Chair of the Board. A role she held for several years. In addition, she holds a number of board positions both in Norway and internationally. Currently she is the Chair of the Board of Bergens Rederiforening.

She is known to be an open, clear and inspirational leader.

Eli Vassenden was elected unanimously as the WISTA Leadership Award 2015 recipient at WISTA Norway’s Annual General Meeting.