Samantha Moore is the founder of Professional Women in Yachting (PWY), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers women in the yachting industry while fundraising for marine science and ocean conservation. The organization has helped countless women in the yachting industry make friendships and find professional success since 2022, but Moore’s journey to become the architect behind PWY started long before that. Moore’s introduction to the yachting industry came through her father, Dan Moore of Coastal Group Marinas. Growing up, Moore would operate a 13-foot Boston Whaler with her father to go pick up Friday night pizza on the Jersey shore. Her family’s love for the water steered her further into the yachting industry while instilling a love for marine life. She eventually tried her hand at marine insurance, but it wasn’t for her. Becoming a broker was her next goal, but she had difficulty in that due to one thing — her gender. “I asked pretty much everybody I knew to get a yacht broker license, and everybody pretty much told me no. There was no downside in anybody licensing me — it was free to them and if I sold a boat under their brokerage, they would get 50% of my commission,” Moore said. “[It was very confusing to me] to have all these noes told to me consistently, and it turned out to be what I thought was, ‘I’m a girl and no girls really sell boats.’” Still, Moore acquired her license but found herself fighting an uphill battle. Selling boats as a young, green female with no help wasn’t easy. She decided becoming a stew would help her learn more about the boats she wanted to sell, so she crewed on boats from 80 to 238 feet for a few months — having an awesome experience while doing so. After leaving her crew job, she began looking for women who had struggled like she did to help her but found nothing. “I ended up creating Professional Women in Yachting, mainly born out of anger,” Moore said. “I was mad at how hard it was for me, an educated, well-connected, young, hungry female, and I couldn’t really get anywhere — it was always one step forward, two steps back.” She knew there were other women dealing with the same struggles, and she was right. PWY was created and her first event was an immediate hit. More than 50 women attended, even while Moore was in the process of teaching herself how to acquire a 501 (c)(3) designation and figuring out the organization’s mission. “It was really well-received by the community — I feel like women were kind of dying for something like this,” Moore said. “It was exactly what I had envisioned and wanted, a community of women to support and go to for advice, friendship, to lean on, and professional opinions.” At 52 members strong and hosting an event at last year’s Monaco Yacht Show, PWY became an international success for empowering women in yachting. Moore suddenly found men approaching her and apologizing for how they had done wrong in the past. “It empowered us to speak out about men who were doing a disservice to themselves, the industry, and to us,” Moore said. “The organization has made women feel more comfortable standing up for themselves to men in these ways — like sexual harassment first and foremost, and then gender discrimination.” Moore has even assisted female crewmembers who have found themselves wanting to leave the boat they’re working on, but their captain won’t let them. Moore has helped crew better understand their rights, put them in contact with maritime attorneys through PWY, and helped them get off board with the Coast Guard a call away if needed. However, Moore wants it to be known her organization isn’t against men. “Our bylaws say men can join,” Moore said. “We love men that support women, and we would happily include you. Some of these smart men buy tickets to our all-girl events because, well, they’re like one guy and then 40 women.” PWY’s mission stretches further than just empowering women. Moore raises money for marine science and ocean conservation through PWY, but she has a more specific, tangible goal as well. Moore works with the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC) at the Carpenter House, which helps educate the community about sea turtles, conservation, and marine life. After lobbying the city, Moore’s goal is to build a sea turtle hospital and emergency manatee rescue in Hollywood beach next to the MEEC. “We got in touch with Nova Southeastern University (NSU),” Moore said. “[They] said, if you can build it, we will fund the daily uptake of it and have our students manage it.” PWY events like forums, panels, and their annual Baby Sea Turtle Hatchling Release Beach Bash — a cocktail party and dinner at NSU, followed by a 45-minute presentation on sea turtles and then a trip to the beach to release baby sea turtles into the ocean — help inch closer to PWY’s goal. Captains, crewmembers, and industry professionals are all invited to join PWY, become sponsors, or help with volunteer work for PWY’s mission to empower women and help the environment in the process. "The mission is happening," Moore said. "For me to see the industry gain traction behind it is what the dream is."