Carleen Lyden Walker

Spire Maritime is recognizing extraordinary people in the maritime industry. We’re highlighting the work of people who are attempting extraordinary tasks that will not only build a better maritime industry, but might also save the planet.

Stretches of beach look idyllic from the shore and they continue to be popular getaway sites for people all over the world. Yet beneath the ocean’s surface is an ecosystem struggling to survive. From pollution to underwater vessel noise to overfishing, sea temperatures are changing and this change has resulted in coral bleaching, species loss, and ocean acidification. Saving these vital ecosystems is a gargantuan task and it’s one that requires marine operations to change the way they work as well as a societal re-education about what we can and can’t do every day. Carleen Lyden Walker is working to do just that.

Carleen is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) where she specializes in identifying, developing, and implementing strategic marketing and communications programs that increase the visibility and effectiveness of NAMEPA, as well as the development of educational resources promoting marine environment protection. She develops strategic alliances between industry, regulators, conservation groups, and educators to preserve marine environments.

Additionally, she has more than 40 years of experience in marketing and communications in the commercial maritime industry. She serves as Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Marketing & Communications, is Chief Evolution Officer of SHIPPINGInsight, Founder of CARIBMEPA, the Co-Founder/Executive Director of the Consortium for International Maritime Heritage, and the IMO Maritime Ambassador. In 2010, she was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the United States Coast Guard and in 2014 a Public Service Commendation for her work on World Maritime Day and AMVER, respectively. Ms. Lyden Walker graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in Political Science and History (minor in Economics), studied Accounting at Cornell School of Business Administration and is a trained facilitator and media trainer. She held a USCG Captain’s license.

We sat down with Carleen and asked her a few personal questions to get to know this Maritime Star on a more personal level. Here’s a bit of that conversation:

Question: Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Carleen: A passionate advocate for the commercial maritime industry who supports its value proposition through marketing and communications, environmental protection, and fleet optimization and innovation.

Question: What do you do, and why do you do it?
Carleen: I have been passionate about the commercial maritime industry since I was a child growing up on an island in Michigan. Shipping is the engine of global trade, transporting more than 90% of the world’s goods and energy!

Question: What do you love most about working in the Maritime industry?
Carleen: I love the industry’s role in global supply and connectivity for the world’s welfare.

Question: Where do you find your inspiration?
Carleen: Recognizing that I play a small role in keeping the world fed, clothed and warm.

Question: Where do you find your inspiration?
Carleen: Recognizing that I play a small role in keeping the world fed, clothed and warm.

Question: What’s the single most important thing people should know about your field?
Carleen: It is important that global society recognizes the role that shipping plays in their lives.

Question: What is your favorite port of call and why?
Carleen: Greece- it is truly the cradle of our modern Western society

Question: What is your favorite ship type and why?
Carleen: Bulkers– because they are essential to society!

Question: What is one change you would like to see happen in the Maritime industry?
Carleen: Complete decarbonization.

Question: What is your favorite Cause?
Carleen: Protecting the marine environment

Question: What book, movie, or film would you recommendation?
Carleen: Middlesex by Eugenides

Thank you Carleen!

A big thank you to Carleen for taking the time to meet with us and for her extraordinary efforts to make the maritime industry greener, more efficient, and sustainable. Your efforts truly make you a Maritime Star!

*The lie was: I have transited the Atlantic on a Ro-Ro Car carrier.