Vanessa Lawless

I attribute my success to being driven, intentional, and resourceful. I have always believed in having a plan, setting clear goals, and then identifying the resources, relationships, and steps needed to accomplish them. I often share this with my peers: start with a goal, break it into reasonable and achievable actions, and seek out the resources that can help you move forward.

Mentorship has also played an important role in my growth. I believe mentors can take many forms. Some are people I know personally, and others are people I admire from afar, like Michelle Obama. I do not believe one mentor has to fulfill every role. I may look to one person for guidance in motherhood, another for professional growth, and another for leadership or service. Each offers a different example of the person I am working to become.

I am also very goal-oriented. Every New Year, I write down the goals I want to accomplish, and I hold myself accountable to them. This year, two of my biggest goals were completing my MBA and training for my first marathon, which I plan to run in the Chicago area in October 2026. For me, success comes from discipline, consistency, and making the most of the time I have. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and I believe how we choose to use that time determines the value we create for ourselves and for others.

The best career advice I've ever received came during one of my first interviews in the maritime industry. At the time, I had no maritime experience, so I was reaching out to recruiters, cold-calling professionals on LinkedIn, and doing everything I could to get my foot in the door. I ended up interviewing with a retired Coast Guard Captain who had an incredibly distinguished career. We connected immediately, and at the end of the interview, he gave me a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since: "Fake it until you make it."

At first glance, that advice can sound misleading, but what he really meant was to have confidence in yourself, even when you're stepping into unfamiliar territory. Walk into the room with conviction. Believe you belong there. Don't let self-doubt speak louder than your potential. Over the years, I've carried that advice with me into every challenging meeting, presentation, and leadership opportunity. Whenever I've felt intimidated or out of my comfort zone, I've reminded myself of that conversation and the confidence he saw in me before I fully saw it in myself.

Recently, nearly a decade later, I reached out to thank him. I told him that I had been invited to attend a mentorship event and had shared his advice with others. More importantly, I thanked him for believing in my capabilities at a time when I was still figuring them out myself. His confidence in me helped shape the confidence I have today. Now, I pass that same lesson on to the next generation, especially to young women entering the maritime industry. In a field where women are still underrepresented, it can be easy to feel like you don't belong. My advice is simple: own your seat at the table. Your perspective matters, your voice deserves to be heard, and you were invited into the room for a reason. Confidence isn't about knowing everything—it's about trusting that you are capable of learning, contributing, and leading.

My advice to women entering the maritime industry is to embrace what makes you different rather than be intimidated by it. Early in my career, I was often aware that I was one of the few women in the room, and at times that felt intimidating. Over time, however, I realized that standing out is not a disadvantage—it's an opportunity. When you walk into a room in a traditionally male-dominated industry, people will remember you. Instead of viewing that as pressure, view it as a chance to make an impact. Own your seat at the table, have confidence in your abilities, and don't be afraid to contribute your perspective. You were invited into the room for a reason.

Women bring tremendous value to the maritime industry and to leadership in general. We often bring strengths in collaboration, communication, empathy, organization, and long-term thinking—qualities that are essential to building strong teams and solving complex problems. Those strengths complement the expertise of others and ultimately make organizations stronger.

The maritime industry needs diverse perspectives, experiences, and leadership styles. My advice is simple: don't try to blend in. Be confident in who you are, recognize the value you bring, and use your unique perspective as a strength. The moment I stopped seeing my differences as something to overcome and started seeing them as an asset was the moment I truly began to thrive.

One of the biggest challenges in my career today is helping a small business compete in an industry dominated by much larger organizations. Many of our competitors have greater access to capital, larger teams, stronger brand recognition, and decades of established market presence. There are certainly moments—whether at industry conferences, customer meetings, or networking events—when it can feel intimidating to represent a smaller company alongside organizations with significantly more resources.

However, I've come to view that challenge as one of our greatest opportunities. While we may not have the size of our competitors, we offer something that many larger organizations struggle to replicate: agility, responsiveness, and a highly personalized approach to customer service. As a family-owned business, we are deeply invested in our customers' success and can make decisions quickly, adapt to changing requirements, and build meaningful long-term relationships.

I often compare it to choosing between a large chain restaurant and a local family-owned establishment. Both serve a purpose, but the smaller business often delivers a level of personal attention and care that creates a different customer experience. That's where we differentiate ourselves.

I also believe we're entering a period where organizations increasingly recognize the value that small businesses bring to the marketplace. There is growing appreciation for innovation, diversity of thought, and the unique perspectives offered by women-owned and small businesses. While competing against larger organizations will always be a challenge, I see it as an opportunity to demonstrate that success isn't determined by size alone—it's determined by the value you create and the relationships you build.

The values that guide my personal life are leadership, continuous growth, and adaptability. Leadership, in particular, is something I think about every day because I believe people often mirror the energy and example you set. Whether I'm leading a team at work or guiding my children at home, my actions, attitude, and response to challenges have a ripple effect on those around me.

I've learned that leadership isn't a title or a trait you're simply born with—it's a skill that must be practiced and refined over time. At work, how I handle difficult conversations, navigate challenges, or respond under pressure influences the culture and people around me. At home, it's much the same. Children look to us for guidance, and how we model resilience, empathy, and problem-solving often shapes how they respond to their own challenges.

Because of that, I place a strong emphasis on continuous learning. I read extensively on leadership and personal development, and I am always looking for opportunities to grow. Brené Brown is one of my favorite authors, and her work on courageous leadership has had a significant impact on me. One lesson that has stayed with me is that leadership is like any other skill—the more you practice it, the stronger it becomes. Just as a musician improves through repetition and dedication, effective leadership requires intentional effort, reflection, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Above all, I strive to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. Those values help me navigate both my professional responsibilities and my personal life, and they continue to shape the leader, mother, and community member I aspire to be. I also try to remember the power of now—to fully live in the moment with love, gratitude, and peace. I believe the sun shines for everyone, and that when we lead from a place of abundance and compassion, we create space for others to grow and shine as well.