Yacht Femme’s Women's Yachting Awards reveal finalists aboard GX Superyacht

The finalists of the Women’s Yachting Awards were revealed on 23 September during the Monaco Yacht Show 2026, in an announcement made aboard the 42 meters GX Superyacht. Fifteen women from across the industry, spanning design, captaincy, business development, entrepreneurship and executive leadership, now move forward in three categories: Rising Star of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Trailblazer of the Year.

The awards, as stated by Yacht Femme’s founder Andrea Tagliaferro, “celebrate more than individual achievement. They stand for a shared vision of empowerment and progress within yachting, honoring women who navigate not only the open seas but also life’s challenges, and who show strength, resilience and innovation along the way”.

Rising Star of the Year

This category recognizes a professional who has shown outstanding promise and rapid growth in her yachting career, as well as the enthusiasm and impact she is already bringing to the industry. The five finalists are:

●      Dilan Saraç, Executive Director at The Superyacht Life Foundation

●      Ella Maree Holmes, Yacht Captain at Sailing Yacht Dakota

●      Nazenin Dino, Senior Interior Designer at Hot Lab

●      Rachele Bertuccioli, Group Commercial Manager at SOS Yachting

●      Stina Krause, Head of Business Development & Strategy at Abeking & Rasmussen

Entrepreneur of the Year

This award goes to a woman who has shown exceptional innovation and leadership in launching or growing a business in yachting, recognized for her vision, resilience and contribution to the industry’s advancement. The finalists are:

●      Carla Guilhem, Creative Designer at C. Guilhem Design LLC

●      Deborah Fry, Director & Co-Founder of Yacht Trace

●      Katharina List-Nagl, CEO at F/LIST

●      Katy Jeffcoate, Founder of IntusHQ

●      Samantha Moore, Founder of Professional Women in Yachting

Trailblazer of the Year

The Trailblazer is a visionary who breaks barriers and challenges the status quo, setting new standards in her field and paving the way for future generations. The finalists are:

●      Barbara Amerio, CEO at Amer Yachts S.p.A.

●      Barrett Wright, President at Hill Robinson USA

●      Captain Patricia Caswell, General Manager at Superyacht Service Centre

●      Isabella Picco, Head of Marketing & Communication at Tankoa Yachts

●      Sarah Flavell, Marketing Manager at Damen Yachting BV

Taken together, the finalists show how wide women’s contribution to yachting has become. They work in shipyards and design studios, on the bridge, in brokerage and service, in marketing and in non-profit leadership, and several have built their own ventures from the ground up. For the next generation entering the sector, the list offers a visible set of role models.

Rebecca Gabbi