In 2024, Karen-Dawn Koen, Head of Sustainability, Risk and Compliance at Oceana, was awarded a highly competitive Transport SETA Scholarship to attend an executive leadership course to enhance her leadership skills and broaden her perspective on innovation and strategy.

Among 15 participants, she received the top student award. She shares, “It was an opportunity to reflect on my values and align them with Oceana’s vision,” highlighting her dedication to both personal growth and organisational excellence. Karen’s journey with Oceana began nine years ago as an Environmental and Sustainability Manager. Today, she exemplifies resilience, vision and integrity in the male-dominated fishing industry. “If I can’t be an admiral, I want to be an admirable leader,” she says, reflecting her commitment to impactful leadership.

She credits Oceana’s support and development programmes for providing the foundation to hone her skills. “Oceana has been supportive of me from day one, offering opportunities for growth and encouraging me to use my voice and be counted.” Her experience in the leadership course, which included international exposure and a rigorous selection process, showcased her leadership calibre and reinforced her belief in self-reliance and creative problem-solving. “There are no shortcuts. If you want to succeed, you have to leave your comfort zone, have purpose and passion in your work and put in the hours.” She reflects that progress is possible, “I’ve been fortunate to have a seat at the table because my contribution is valued, not because I’m a woman or a person of colour.”

And to aspiring women in the fishing industry, her advice is clear: “Recognise your value and align it with your purpose and your company’s goals. Open yourself up to learning and change and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges. Success and satisfaction will follow.”