Jenny Johnson

Jenny Johnson, founder of Maritime Inclusion Partners, possesses over 20 years of extensive maritime experience both at sea and ashore. She passionately advocates for a diverse, inclusive, and secure maritime industry. Throughout her time at sea, she encountered remarkable experiences that allowed her to travel the world, but unfortunately, she also faced gender based harassment, discrimination, and violence. Her invaluable firsthand encounters have driven her to dedicate her career ashore to raising awareness regarding sexual harassment, assault, and all types of discrimination within the maritime sector. Jenny firmly believes that a career at sea should be accessible to everyone. She aspires for every vessel to serve as an environment free from any form of harassment and discrimination, fostering a workplace that respects and appreciates the multifaceted nature of diversity. Jenny possesses certification as a human resource professional and possesses a profound knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) specifically tailored to the unique demands of the maritime industry. She has successfully led numerous initiatives to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment, thereby establishing herself as a highly regarded expert in this field. Additionally, she holds credentials as a victims' advocate and crisis response further demonstrating her dedication to supporting and empowering those who have experienced such unfortunate situations. Jenny developed a passion for boats at a young age, beginning her journey in Sea Scouts on the Columbia River when she was just 14 years old. During this time, she gained valuable knowledge in navigation, diesel engine repair and maintenance, small boat handling, sailing, seamanship, and marlinspike. At the age of 19, Jenny embarked on her professional sailing career as a deckhand on a small passenger cruise vessel. With the encouragement from the officers onboard and the sea-time acquired she was able to obtain a 100-ton Master, 200-ton Mate, and AB at age 21. For several years, Jenny continued to work on smaller vessels in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California, taking on roles such as Mate, Engineer, and even Master. She predominantly operated on dinner boats, overnight cruise vessels, and mega yachts before relocating to the East Coast. During this time, she sailed as an AB on hydrographic, ammunition, and tanker vessels, providing her with four years of deep-sea experience.