Zoe Upson

Founder

FACT Talent & WOMEN TOGETHER

Zoe Upson is a senior leader and one of the most recognised women in global shipping and commodities. With over 16 years of industry experience she is known for delivering high impact contributions across freight, energy, agriculture and metals and was recently ranked #1 in the Top 100 Women in Shipping, Top 20 under 40 in shipping and named SHEO Maritime Entrepreneur of the Year. She has a reach of nearly 30,000 followers on LinkedIn.

A former Tanker FFA broker Zoe led high performing derivatives desks and worked closely with hedge funds, trading houses and C suite clients. She founded FACT Talent, a global executive search firm trusted by leading organisations across shipping and commodities.

Zoe also founded WOMEN TOGETHER, a 1,800+ member network advancing women in male dominated sectors and she is a regular speaker and contributor helping to shape the future of the industry.


 

Vivien Puppa Kocsis

Graduate Scientist

Harvard University

Vivien Puppa Kocsis is an award-winning Harvard-educated scientist and applied mathematician specializing in human behavior and personal energy. She holds a Guinness World Record in long-distance cycling and has worked in high-performance environments including McKinsey, Google and Bridgewater Associates—bringing both scientific insight and real-world experience to sustaining energy under pressure.

Christel Pullens

Expert

Maritime Innovation

Christel Pullens started her career at a Belgian shipyard 29 years ago and has loved the international maritime industry ever since. By closing contracts and executing projects for almost any type of inland and oceangoing vessel in over 60 countries, she built her technical and commercial knowledge over the years. 

Christel believes sustainable innovation is key to resolve the challenges that the industry is currently facing. Since 2020 she has committed herself to contributing to a sustainable blue economy by driving innovation and minimizing the existing gender leadership gap in the maritime, trading and logistic sectors. 

As Director of PortXL, the global entrepreneurship hub for start- ups and scale-ups in the logistics, maritime, offshore, green energy and process industry sectors, Christel makes impact by creating tangible business value for start-ups and scale-ups that have the potential to disrupt the industry.

Elisabeth Cosmatos

CEO

The Cosmatos Group

Stand: 2E50-F51

Elisabeth Cosmatos has been working in the shipping, forwarding and logistics sectors for the past 28 years.  In 2000, she was appointed managing director of The Cosmatos Group of Companies and leads business activities across a portfolio of well-known industry brands which include Hub Logistics, Fairplay Forwarding and Cosmatos Shipping Services.

Elisabeth’s expertise in the project cargo and heavy lift sectors embraces all aspects of multimodal transportation, in diverse industries such as industrial, oil & gas, and defence logistics.  She has extensive experience in the renewables sector, having managed more than 30 wind energy projects since the early 2000’s –continually adapting to larger components, heavier loads and increasingly complex supply chains.

Elisabeth is currently the president of The Heavy Lift Group (THLG), having been part of the Association’s Executive Committee for the past nine years.  Founded in 1987 by a consortium of western-European heavy-lift operators in anticipation of the Single European Market, THLG has expanded to include companies from North and South America, Asia, Africa and other parts of Europe.

A fluent English and Greek speaker, Elisabeth is a well-known personality in the forwarding and logistics sector, both in Greece and internationally.  She is a WISTA Hellas member (and WISTA Ambassador for northern Greece), and an active member of the shipping community.

Yasmina Rauber

Certified coach & trainer, ICI Geneva IIN New York & Transformational Coach LMI

YAS Coaching

With over 25 years of experience in trading and shipping, including roles up to board level, Yasmina possesses a deep understanding of what it takes to drive positive change as a woman in the workplace. Having lived in diverse cities such as Geneva, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Tel Aviv and Brussels, she has adeptly navigated numerous transitions throughout her career. From being an employee to serving as a general manager and subsequently as a managing director, she has successfully spearheaded the launch of several new ventures.

Throughout her career, she has remained actively engaged in the trading and shipping industry through various organizations. She served as the president of WISTA Switzerland from 2013 to 2019, sat on the Board of the STSA (now Suisse Négoce), and currently holds the position of General Secretary at the ZCA (Zug Commodity Association).

Furthermore, she is a certified business and leadership coach as well as a life and transformational coach. Yasmina’s “Women in Leadership" program is all about stepping up, having your voice heard and advancing in your career. It combines leadership skills with mindset, tailored for both individuals and corporate clients.

Miriam Nagel

Business Development Manager

DEUFOL DÖHLE PROJECTS GMBH

I am a passionate shipping and logistics professional with 25+ years of experience in managing special cargo and project transport. Skilled in operations, sales, and marketing, I focus on safe, efficient high & heavy logistics, optimizing supply chains and building lasting client partnerships.

Alongside my industry expertise, I have a deep passion for spiritual and energy healing as a certified Reiki Master Practitioner and Somatic Healing Coach. I believe in maintaining a balance between the fast-paced logistics industry and personal wellbeing, integrating mindfulness and holistic practices to enhance performance and harmony.

Laura Dobritoiu

Gas Service Logistics Leadership Team

Siemens Energy

Claudia Beumer

Owner/Director

C4 fuel

Dorcas Kamau

Business Development Director

EXPORT CONSOLIDATION SERVICES (K) LTD

Eva Gonzalez- Posada

Office Manager Gijon

Suardiaz Group

Ewa Wiśniewska

Branch Director, Project Cargo Product Director

ROHLIG SUUS

Ilse Rodewijk

Founder

AlbatrosDigital

Linda Treuman

Country Manager Netherlands

PTP Rotterdam

Marciete Eiras

Project Pricing & Business Development

FOX BRASIL

Nura Conroy

Founder & CEO

Conroy Africa

Rosangela (Rosy) Diaz Malave

Co-Owner & Commercial Director

Nakama Worldwide Solutions

Sabrina Wacker

Sales Manager - High & Heavy / Breakbulk

Wallenius Wilhelmsen

Tuna Hazar Avci

Founder, CEO

Logifem Society Network

Vivian van der Kuil

Partner

Ten Holter Noordam Advocaten

Yousra Toubal

Shipping Liner Coordinator

Suardiaz Group