Navigating Change: Samantha Cibelli on Leadership, Innovation, and the Future of Maritime

In Episode 241 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan sits down with Samantha Cibelli, Sales Director at Kongsberg Maritime, to explore her 15-year career across sea service, commercial operations, and maritime technology.

Samantha’s path began in the U.S. Coast Guard, where she served on active duty as a Marine Inspector in Houston, TX, leading teams through Flag State and Port State Control examinations. From there, she moved into sailing commercially as a deck officer aboard U.S. Flag vessels, including tankers, passenger ships, and research vessels.

In 2015, Samantha transitioned shoreside, taking on operations and commercial management roles with Siem Car Carriers and later Maersk, where she held multiple leadership positions in trade and product management. In 2024, she joined Kongsberg Maritime, where she now leads new construction sales for the North American passenger vessel segment.

With a B.S. in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M and an MBA from Northeastern University, Samantha brings both technical expertise and business acumen to her work. She is passionate about the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and international trade—and about mentoring and coaching high-functioning teams to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Tune in to Episode 241 to hear Samantha’s insights on career growth, leadership, and the future of maritime technology.