The Wavemakers Podcast
Stories of the people shaping the change to green shipping, at the intersection of maritime, tech and decarbonisation.
Maritime industry is undergoing rapid change, new fuels and technologies often take the limelight, but we believe the key to success of every innovation are people. The Wavemakers Podcast aims to shine the light to those at the frontline - the chamions, innovators, 'status quo challengers', innovation and community catalysts, or simply being the first impacted by the change.
How does it feel to drive and pioneer change? What are the puzzle pieces of their story that drive their leadership? These are the questions that the podcast aims to answer as we get to know the maritime leaders over a coffee chat and beyond their professional titles.
Join us on this voyage!
The Podcast is hosted by Gordana Ilic, a co-founder of BetterSea and a former Head of Decarbonisation Portfolio Management at A.P. Moller - Maersk.
Episodes
32 episodes
How a Former Miss Ukraine Became a Shipping CEO | Antonina Polovenko
What does it take to build a maritime company from nothing, at just 24 years old?!In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Gordana interviews Antonina Polovenko, founder of Aquamarine Shipping, who shares her incredible entrepreneuria...
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Barry Authers' Explorer Mindset: Digital Transformation, Ultra-marathons and Community Building
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we talk with Barry Authers, a digital leader at the intersection of maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation and a Head of Partnerships at Veracity by DNV.Barry’s journey from o...
Steering Maritime & Corporate Innovation with Amel Rigneau
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Amel Rigneau, innovation leader, entrepreneur, and ecosystem builder, to unpack what really makes innovation work in maritime and beyond!From her early career in consulting and...
Investing in Maritime, Cleantech & AI with Chandni Jaga (Plug and Play)
Chandni Jaga, Senior Investment Associate at Plug and Play Tech Center, shares her beginings, how growing up in 9 countries shaped her view of the world, how she evaluates early-stage startups and what it takes to scale innovation in shipping: ...
Genuine Relationships, AI and the Human Side of Maritime Digital Transformation with Giftson Eliyesar
What if the real driver of maritime digital transformation isn’t technology – but relationships?In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Gordana sits down with Giftson Eliyesar, Director of Commercial Operations at Ves...
Emily in Singapore: Navigating Maritime, Empathy, and Change!
This episode of The Wavemakers Podcast features Emily Dove, Regional Sales Manager for ASEAN and Middle East at TECO Chemicals and one of the Top 100 Women in Shipping. Emily talkes about her shift from UK-based PR roles to senior c...
Anil Jacob on his Why: Bridging Data, Safety at Sea and Maritime Decarbonisation
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Anil Jacob (Managing Director of OceanOpt and Head of Fleet Performance at BSM) shares his remarkable journey from sailing tankers to shaping the future of maritime decarbonization.Anil...
Chris Chatterton on Leading the Next Wave of Green Fuels in Global Shipping
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we unpack Chris Chatterton’s journey from traditional energy to renewables, his decade at the Methanol Institute, and how he’s now shaping the future of alternative fuels and carbon insets in ...
From Oil to Innovation: Dr. Sanjay C Kuttan on Purpose, Pivots & Decarbonization
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Dr. Sanjay C. Kuttan — former CTO & CSO of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) — reflects on a 33-year journey spanning science, oil & gas, policy, and ...
Maria Skipper Schwenn - A lobbyist and a mother, paving the way!
Season 3 | Episode with Maria Skipper Schwenn In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, I sit down with Maria Skipper Schwenn, Director of Environmental Regulatory & Public Affairs at Bunker Holding and a long-time advocate fo...
Navigating compliance, cost and change in shipping | Decarb Regulatory Panel by OceanOpt, BSM & BetterSea
In this special panel discussion moderated by Gordana Ilic (Co-CEO, BetterSea), we bring together three industry leaders to unpack the fast-evolving regulatory landscape shaping maritime decarbonization:- Shaja Mathew – Senior Operation...
Cruise Ship Spirit, Terminal Tenacity: The Leadership Story of Sarah Haidar
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Haidar—a dynamic maritime leader with over 20 years of experience in port operations, terminal management, and digital transformation.From running terminals in Beirut to ...
From Seafarer to Ship Owner and Surviving a Pirate Attack - YC’s Maritime Grit
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with YasovardhanChinni (YC). YC grew up in a small Indian town and in pursuit of financial stability chose a non-traditional path into shipping. From marine engineering to life on board...
From Engine Room to Boardroom: RK Sethi’s Expedition Through Maritime and Tech
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with RK Sethi – marine engineer, restaurateur, startup mentor, CEO at SEAKNOTIQ Ship management and Group COO at YC Ventures – to explore the personal journey behind a multi-faceted career ...
From Race Cars to Decarbonised Ports: Piotr Konopka’s Journey into Maritime
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we meet Piotr Konopka, Vice President at DP World, who took an unexpected yet inspiring journey from designing motorsport vehicles to leading global decarbonization efforts in maritime logistics.
From Chemical Engineering to Maritime Leadership: Claudia Beumer’s Journey
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Claudia Beumer, a leader in maritime decarbonization who transitioned from corporate commercial roles to founding her own environmetal consultancy company, C4 Fuels. With a background ...
Jet Skis, Green Fuels & Global Trade! A Life in Logistics with Gary Hubbard
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we dive into the fascinating career of Gary Hubbard, a seasoned logistics leader who transitioned from directing major global supply chains to driving the adoption of green fuels in maritime. With expe...
Beyond the Horizon: Capt. Mohit Batra on Tech, Safety & the Heart of Maritime
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Gordana sits down with Captain Mohit Betra, a true catalyst in the maritime industry. From his early days at sea, influenced by a family of sailors, to driving digital transformation, Capt...
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From Cooking Oil & Blockchain to Fuelling Green Transport with Mahsa Karimi
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, host Gordana sits down with Mahsa from ESG Ports, a company at the cutting edge of sustainability in the maritime industry. ESG Ports is tackling the climate crisis by converting waste cooking oil into...
The Maritime Polyglot and Her Shipping Tales: Maria Rita Skog
🎙️ In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Maria Rita Skog, a dynamic leader whose maritime journey began in young age aboard merchant tankers. From growing up on a vessel and assisting at shipyards to educating young genera...
From Seafarer to Maritime Entrepreneur with Capt. Rami Al Breiki
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we’re joined by Captain Rami Al Breiki—a seafarer turned an entrepreneur, with a deep passion for maritime innovation and decarbonization. Captain Rami opens up about his early seafarer ca...
The Pioneering Decarbonisation Spirit of Katarina Uherova Hasbani
In this episode, we sat down with Katarina Uherova Hasbani, a pioneer and catalyst of decarbonisation within the heavy asset industry. From setting the first renewables energy efficiency carbon reduction targets as part of European...
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FuelEU Maritime Masterclass by BetterSea
If you’re looking for actionable insights on FuelEU Maritime, this episode is a must-listen!In an informative discussion, BetterSea co-founders Gordana Ilic and Maximilian Schroer explain the key aspects and mechanisms of the FuelEU Mar...
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Women in Maritime: Eli Gjesdal's Story of Leadership and Change
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Eli Gjesdal reflects on her lifelong maritime journey. Inspired by her grandmother, Eli dreamed of working on tankers from an early age, and while that dream evolved, she has gone on to become a female...
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Fuelling Green Maritime Future with Haseena Bheekhun
Today's episode of The Wavemakers Podcast is an insightful conversation with Haseena Bheekhun, the innovative Chief Operating Officer at Unitrove. From her diverse career beginnings, to leading the scaling of green hydrogen projects, Haseena sh...
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