In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, hosts Ally Tenorio and Laura McFalls delve into the multifaceted decision women face regarding changing their last names after marriage. This conversation is not just about personal choices but also encompasses professional identities and legal implications.

The Personal Journey

Ally shares her experience of transitioning from Cedeno to Tenorio, highlighting the emotional and cultural considerations involved. Laura discusses her decision to retain her maiden name, emphasizing the importance of personal identity and the challenges of societal expectations.

Together, they unpack:

• The tradition of name changing—and why it still sticks
• The professional stakes of switching names mid-career
• The bureaucratic beast that is legal name change paperwork
• And a new twist: how proposed voting laws like the SAVE Act (2025) could make things even more complicated

The decision to change or retain a last name after marriage is deeply personal, with far-reaching professional and legal ramifications. Ally and Laura's candid discussion sheds light on the complexities involved and encourages women to make informed choices that align with their identities and aspirations. 

What about you?

Have you changed your name, or chosen not to? Did it feel empowering, annoying, or a bit of both?

We want to hear from our global community. Drop us a message at [email protected] and tell us how name changes have impacted your life, especially if you're tuning in from outside the U.S. Your experience matters, and we may feature it in an upcoming episode.

As enforcement guidance sharpens and the legal spotlight intensifies, how are organizations supposed to navigate DEI now?

In this episode, we take a deeper look at what has unfolded since Executive Order 14173, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” was signed in January 2025. While the order targeted federal agencies, its ripple effects are reshaping how private companies, nonprofits, and universities approach diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

So what exactly has changed—and what’s still allowed?

Women Offshore walks through the Department of Justice’s new enforcement role, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) March 2025 guidance, and how leaders can keep building opportunity-driven workplaces while staying aligned with the law.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the Department of Justice (DOJ) was instructed to do under Executive Order 14173
• What the new EEOC guidance says about hiring, training, and employee groups
• What merit-based hiring means
• How outreach, mentorship, and leadership development can (and should) continue

Why This Matters

The maritime workforce shortage isn’t going away. If anything, it's becoming more urgent. Offshore rigs, shipping companies, and maritime employers need to attract and retain talent across a broader spectrum to meet demand—and create resilient, future-ready teams.

Smart, sustainable DEI practices aren’t just about compliance. They are critical to solving the workforce crisis ahead.

Join Us at the Women Offshore Leadership Summit

📍 May 21, 2025 | Shell Woodcreek, Houston, TX

We’re tackling this head-on with our panel: “Leading Through Legal Shifts: What DEI Changes Mean for You.” Hear from top maritime lawyers about what Executive Order 14173, DOJ investigations, and EEOC guidance mean for your policies, practices, and people. Register today at WomenOffshore.org.

As political tides shift and legal scrutiny increases, is DEI dead?

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) following the January 2025 release of Executive Order 14173, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” This federal directive has changed how government agencies—and increasingly, private companies—approach DEI initiatives.

But what does that actually mean for those working in industries on the water?

The founder of Women Offshore shares a personal and professional reflection on the uncertainty created by the order, and the very real workforce consequences at stake—especially amid a growing mariner shortage.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Executive Order 14173 says and why it was issued
• How legal interpretations are shifting post–Supreme Court affirmative action ruling
• The real-time impact on DEI programs in the private sector
• How organizations are reacting (and what they’re reviewing)
• Why inclusive practices remain a strategic workforce imperative
• The role of community: crews, mentors, and companies still doing the work
• How Women Offshore is navigating this new landscape
• A preview of what’s ahead in Part II: DOJ & EEOC enforcement guidance

Why This Matters

The global maritime workforce is already stretched thin—with tens of thousands of officers needed in the coming years. Enrollment in U.S. academies is down. And women still make up a small percentage of seafarers worldwide.

Efforts like mentorship, inclusive leadership, and targeted support aren’t about politics. They’re about workforce sustainability.

Join Us at the Women Offshore Leadership Summit

📍 May 21, 2025 | Shell Woodcreek, Houston, TX
🎟️ Early bird registration through April 30

We’re tackling this topic head-on with our panel: “Leading Through Legal Shifts: What DEI Changes Mean for You.” Hear from top maritime lawyers about what Executive Order 14173 means for your policies, practices, and people. Register at WomenOffshore.org.

In this episode, titled "Anchored in Advocacy: How Capt. Kelly Gordon is Making Mental Health Matter," we delve into the inspiring journey of Captain Kelly J. Gordon. Growing up on a farm in small-town Indiana, Kelly's thirst for adventure led her from academia, where she served as a chemistry professor, to the helm of superyachts as an accomplished captain. Beyond her maritime achievements, Kelly is a passionate advocate for mental health within the yachting community. In 2024, she founded Yachtie Minds Matter™, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mental health therapy funding and resources for yacht crew and shoreside support staff. Join us as Captain Kelly shares her personal experiences, the challenges she has faced, and her mission to create a supportive environment for all seafarers.

Thank you to our 2025 Podcast Sponsor, The US Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. With your unwavering support, we fulfill our mission!

In today's episode of The Women Offshore Podcast, we focus on Mariner Mental Health with Maisa Ziegler. 

She is a mariner, therapist, and coach living in Hawaii and helping mariners find a better balance in their life. 

Trigger Warning!

Christine hears from Maisa about her own traumatic event at sea that affected her Mental Health negatively until she sought help. Learning from that experience, she is now able to relate to mariners and build a trusting relationship with them to offer meaningful help when they need it. 

Check out her website, www.MaritimeMindset.com for more information 

The Women Offshore Benefit Gala took place on February 8th at the Petroleum Club of Houston, Texas. Funds raised that night went towards scholarships for U.S. Maritime Academy cadets, supporting their essential sea terms. Special thanks to our table sponsors, including USMMA AAF, Transocean, Oxy, AMO, NOV, Chevron, Shell, Noble, Houston Pilots, ATPI, Stolt Tankers, Liskow, and the Consortium of State Maritime Academies, as well as the Tenorio Family and Carolyn Kurtz.

Thank you to our speakers: Brianna Linderholm, Coronado Hickman, and Captain Susan Orsini, who shared inspiring stories of resilience and success.

Spotlight on Coronado Hickman

Coronado Hickman shared her journey from offshore work to a shoreside career, overcoming challenges like pregnancy offshore during COVID-19. Now a mother of two and working at Stolt Tankers, her story is truly inspiring.

Join Us Next Year!

Missed this year’s gala? Stay tuned for details on next year’s event via our social media, website, and newsletter.

Thank you for supporting Women Offshore. Stay inspired and keep making waves!

We’re back and more excited than ever to bring you fresh stories, honest conversations, and inspiring voices from the maritime industry!

Kicking off this season, Christine MacMillian sits down with our first guest for the season, Rachel Pagonis, a Safety Officer onboard a cruise ship with over a decade of experience at sea.

Rachel shares how her love for the water started unexpectedly, when she took a cruise at 14 years old, she thought working on a ship would just be a stepping stone while she figured out her future. Little did she know, it would become her dream career.

Along the way, she met someone who changed her perspective, a woman named Lucy, who was unapologetically herself and never tried to fit into anyone else’s mold. Lucy’s authenticity inspired Rachel to fully embrace her path and chase her career at sea.

Now, as a leader in the industry, Rachel is passionate about mentoring and investing in those coming up behind her, becoming a "Lucy" for the next generation of women+ in maritime.

Who was your “Lucy” in life? Have you had the chance to uplift someone following in your footsteps? We’d love to hear your stories!

Be sure to follow us and Rachel’s journey on Instagram: @rachelmayatsea @womenoffshore

We are deeply grateful to our 2025 Podcast Sponsor, The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, for their invaluable support and commitment to advancing maritime careers and opportunities for women+ on the water. www.usmmaalumni.com

-

Don’t Miss an Episode!

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Women Offshore Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode of our relaunch!

Did you know that every episode of our podcast is created and managed entirely in-house? Our dedicated team at Women Offshore pours their hearts into bringing you inspiring stories and valuable insights from the maritime industry.

This work is made possible through the generous support of our community. Every donation—big or small—helps us amplify voices, create meaningful change, and support women+ in the maritime industry.

If you’d like to be part of this mission, click here to contribute: https://womenoffshore.org/donation/

Thank you for being part of the Women Offshore community! 

Join Christine for a special send-off episode as we take a temporary pause on the Women Offshore podcast. We’re taking this break to reflect, regroup, and explore new ideas to bring you even more engaging content in the future. We will be working for a few months in silence to come back stronger and more successful. We’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful for our listeners' continued support. Stay tuned—there’s more to come. “Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise.” - Frank Ocean

Make sure you are subscribed to Women Offshore Podcast where you listen to your podcasts to stay up to date when we relaunch our podcast. 

Did you know that all our podcasts are created and managed in-house? Our team at Women Offshore puts their hearts into bringing you inspiring and valuable stories every episode. Your generous support throughout the year makes this possible. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in our ability to amplify voices and create positive change. Join us in making a difference and spreading awareness by donating today. Click here if you would like to contribute! https://womenoffshore.org/donation/

The holiday season can be a challenging time for those working offshore as friends and family celebrate back home. In this episode, April Killian joins Ally Cedeno to share practical tips and heartfelt advice on making the most of the holidays while you're away at sea. They dive into the emotional toll of being separated from loved ones during special occasions and offer five specific strategies to stay connected and reduce feelings of isolation. From finding small ways to bring holiday cheer to your offshore environment to maintaining traditions even from a distance, this episode is packed with encouragement and ideas to make the season a little brighter, no matter where you are. Tune in to hear April and Ally discuss how to create meaningful moments while working offshore during the holidays.

Have a Listen & Subscribe
The Women Offshore Podcast is available on Apple and most podcast apps. To avoid missing future episodes, remember to subscribe to your favorite app.

Did you know that all our podcasts are created and managed in-house? Our team at Women Offshore puts their hearts into bringing you inspiring and valuable stories every episode. Your generous support throughout the year makes this possible. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in our ability to amplify voices and create positive change. Join us in making a difference and spreading awareness by donating today. Click here if you would like to contribute! https://womenoffshore.org/donation/