Meet the Board of Directors
Samantha Moore- Founder/Board Member
Born in Philadelphia, Samantha spent her summers living on the water at the Jersey Shore. Growing up, she learned at a very young age how to operate a 13’ Boston Whaler, taking it with her dad to pick up their Friday night pizza. At six years old, her family moved to South Florida, where she traded the NJ seashore for the Bahamas. Her love of all things salt water came naturally, having family boats of all sizes, which allowed her to grow her interest and respect for marine wildlife. After taking a 4-year coastal hiatus to attend college at Florida State University in Tallahassee FL, she moved back to the ocean town of Jupiter Florida to start a Marine Insurance Agency. Centered around her love of boats, she obtained a yacht broker’s license and spent summers crewing large vessels. This led to a keen interest in the interior functionality aboard superyachts and furthered her longing urge to create a women’s organization in this male dominated industry.
After overcoming so many female related obstacles in the maritime industry, she felt that she was not alone. Samantha knew that creating an organization of passionate marine industry professional women, with a main focus on philanthropy would be perilous to the “boys club.”
Sam founded Professional Women in Yachting Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in March of 2022, with the goals of empowering women in the marine industry and raising money for marine science and ocean conservation.
Samantha’s karmic life philosophy is “if you do good, you ‘get’ good”. She has implemented this mantra into PWY and all other business aspects of her life, and thus far, it has worked.
Samantha is passionate about safety on the water, scuba diving, interior design/fashion, and her community. She actively participates in philanthropic work such as beach clean ups, coral restoration, sea turtle conservation, disaster relief, preservation of the arts, and helping others.
Now residing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you will most likely find her on the waterway or at a local watering hole, probably waterfront.
Fun facts:
- Samantha is a very accomplished professional equestrian.
- Her favorite superyacht is SAVANNAH, the 83m Feadship.
- She has two dogs, Jumper & Jammer, named after her love of show jumping and music.
Sharon Abramson- Board Member
Sharon Abramson is a skilled public relations, marketing, and events professional.
Sharon has held high-level marketing roles at the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, which owns the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Denison Yacht Sales, Merle Wood & Associates, and Robert Allen Law.
Prior to that, she worked in public relations, publishing, and newspapers including the Palm Beach Post.
She is active in the Public Relations Society of America, the International Yacht Brokers Association, Take Stock in Children and Good Karma Pet Rescue.
Sophia Jacoby- Board Member
Bio under construction
Interested in becoming a board member?
Reach out to us- info@professionalwomeninyachting.com