Women’s sailing charity, The Magenta Project, has opened applications for its 2025/26 Global Mentoring Programme, a scheme focused on equity and inclusion in sailing and the wider marine industry.
Running from October 2025 to June 2026, the nine-month initiative matches women working or seeking careers in the sector with experienced professionals. The programme offers structured guidance, career support and access to industry knowledge.
Since it began in 2018, the programme has supported just under 300 female mentees and involved more than 100 mentors across the sailing and marine industries. Participants include several established figures in professional sailing.
“This programme is designed to break down barriers and open doors,” says Vicky Low, chief executive officer of The Magenta Project. “Whether you are seeking guidance and looking to progress your career as a mentee or looking to give back as a mentor, this is an opportunity to be part of lasting, positive change that is so desperately needed within professional sailing and the wider marine industry.”
Kate Jordan, a former participant, was paired with Swiss professional sailor Justine Mettraux, who became the fastest woman to complete the Vendée Globe in its most recent edition. Jordan says: “There is no clear pathway to becoming a professional sailor, but my time in The Magenta Project mentoring programme helped me find a way to forge my own path. Through one-on-one mentoring, I learned how to set informed goals and reflect on my performances to maintain motivation and progress.”
The programme is structured around seven pathways that reflect career opportunities within the sector: inshore, offshore, foiling, STEM, media, race management & support, and leadership. These categories connect mentees with mentors relevant to their professional interests, whether competitive sailing, technology, event management, or leadership roles.
The scheme is open to women worldwide aged 18 and above who are working in or aiming to enter the sailing or marine sectors. Mentees will receive one-to-one mentoring, peer-to-peer networking and access to programme resources. Applications for mentees are live and close on 31 August 2025.
Experienced professionals of all genders are invited to apply to become mentors, also before 31 August 2025. Mentors are provided with training, programme resources and access to a private mentor group for continued support and exchange of knowledge.
Those unable to commit to the full programme can participate as guest speakers in the Magenta Mentoring Webinar series. Professionals interested in this option are encouraged to contact The Magenta Project via email.
Separately, The Magenta Project recently launched a new survey into equity and inclusion in sailing and the wider marine industry. The project runs from July to September 2025, with final findings to be presented at the World Sailing AGM in November 2025, and publicly launched at Metstrade and the Yacht Racing Forum.
The post Global mentoring scheme for women in marine opens applications appeared first on Marine Industry News.
Leave a Reply