Initiatives 2025 | SEASTR PNW NPO

2025+ Initiatives

A disconfirming climate is a negative communication style that makes people feel devalued and unimportant. It's the opposite of a confirming climate, which makes people feel valued and supported. - SEASTR gives people agency and allows expression and individuality. We like to ask the question, “how do you see yourself here?”

This past December 2024, a core team of SEASTR members gathered to reflect on the past year and set a strategic direction for 2025 and beyond. The following outlines key takeaways from our discussions and proposes a path forward in alignment with our mission.

Our Foundational Principles

At the heart of SEASTR’s work are four guiding principles that shape our initiatives:

EMPOWERMENT for waterwomen in our region
- Outward: Amplification
- Across and among: Allyship
- Within: Mentorship
WELLNESS
- Connecting waterwomen with the environment for ongoing health and personal growth
BELONGING
- Creating safe spaces for expression, connection, and storytelling
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSIVITY
- Ensuring programs remain open to women+ of all skill levels, generations, and backgrounds

2025+ Initiatives: Mentorship & Community Building

SEASTR has fostered connection, empowerment, and skill-building within the maritime community. Moving forward, we will continue to drive this mission with the following initiatives:

Mentorship Programs

Sailing Partnerships & Ambassadors: Women+ who skipper and/or own vessels will be provided with tools and resources to engage with our community. We aim to expand our fleet of “partnered vessels” to support this program, including SV Tre, which participated in 2025 and will continue the journey with us.
Formal Mentorship Program: We will launch a structured mentorship program led by a professional coach to connect mentors and mentees. Initially, this will be an unfunded program with the goal of securing financial support.
Workshops & Info Nights: Focused on leadership in maritime settings, these events will fall under our Seatime initiative, which partners with organizations and institutions to provide career development and pathways into maritime professions.

Community-Building Events

Chapter Meetings: SEASTR thrives on connectivity. We will pilot regional chapter meetings in late winter/early spring 2026 (quarterly model TBD), fostering mentorship, collaboration, and shared resources.
Storytelling Nights: A platform for sharing personal maritime journeys, potentially evolving from chapter meetings.

Single & Multi-Day Sailing Experiences

Voyages with Partnered Vessels: Supporting the SEASTR waterwomen community through hands-on navigation and boat-handling experiences.
First Experience (2025): A two-night excursion to Port Townsend aboard MV Topaz, a 52’ classic motor yacht owned by SEASTR member and Boating Ambassador Alexa Carr, alongside SV Tre, a 1939 Knud Reimers 14.25-meter yacht.

Operational Growth Initiatives

To ensure SEASTR’s long-term success, we will focus on organizational growth and sustainability, including:

Building Partnerships: Secure collaborations with at least two maritime organizations to support skill-building initiatives.
Networking & Industry Connections: Facilitate opportunities for participants to engage with maritime leaders and peers.
Impact Evaluation: Develop metrics to assess the effectiveness of our programs.
Amplifying Success Stories: Highlight achievements within the SEASTR community, including environmental efforts and generational wealth-building in maritime.
Scholarships & Funding Strategy: Establish a structured plan for operations, funding, and scholarships.
Annual Maritime Culture Event – ARCHIPELAGO 2026
- Lay the foundation for a signature event that celebrates maritime culture while raising funds for financial aid in maritime education and opportunities.