Holland America Line Hosts Coast Guard Women's Leadership Initiative Luncheon on ms Nieuw Amsterdam at Port Everglades

SEATTLE, April 1, 2015 /3BL Media/ — On Sunday, March 15, 2015, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Holland America Line hosted the Coast Guard Women’s Leadership Initiative Luncheon aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam.

The luncheon featured keynote speakers Kelli Sybolt, director of international affairs and foreign policy advisor for the U.S. Coast Guard, and Kelly W. Clark, senior vice president, safety, environmental and regulatory services for Holland America Line. Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line, and Keith Taylor, executive vice president of Holland America Line Group and retired rear admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard, also were in attendance.

“We are honored to host the women of the U.S. Coast Guard on board for the day, and this luncheon is a small token of appreciation for their service,” said Ashford. “Congratulations to the Women’s Leadership Initiative for making such a positive impact on its members.”

About the Women's Leadership Initiative

Established in 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Leadership Initiative supports mentoring, leadership training and professional development opportunities for Coast Guard women in uniform and civilians. Its goal is to increase the retention rate of women in the Coast Guard and provide a bridge for service personnel to achieve success following their Coast Guard careers. For more information about the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Leadership Initiative, visit www.cgaalumni.org/USCGWLI.

“Thank you to Holland America Line for hosting our Women’s Initiative Luncheon in such an elegant setting,” said Lieutenant Commander Brooke Grant, Florida representative for the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Leadership Initiative. “Community partners like Holland America Line make it possible for us to continue our work of supporting and mentoring the women of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Holland America Line Community Support

Each year Holland America Line hosts more than 25 shipboard charity luncheons for nearly 5,000 guests in its home port cities. In addition, Holland America Line and its corporate foundation’s charitable-giving programs provide cash sponsorships, in-kind donations, free- and reduced-fare cruise donations for nonprofit fundraising events, donations of usable shipboard items around the world, employee volunteerism and other philanthropic activities.