State of the Port of Oakland – More than Just A Luncheon

By Laura Germany, VP – HR & Administration, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association & President, Women in Logistics of Northern California

Laura Germany and CA Controller John Chiang, 2012

Ten years ago, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) President John McLaurin, Women in Logistics of Northern California (WIL) President Karen Vellutini, and Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle had an idea: why don’t we join forces and raise money for maritime industry causes we care about?

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and Laura Germany, 2011

Both PMSA and WIL had jointly held luncheon events with guest speakers before, including in 2011, when Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom was our guest speaker (on my birthday I might add). One of these luncheons framed the concept of partnering with the Port, when in the fall of 2013, Mr. Lytle was the Keynote Speaker at an event with co-hosts WIL, PMSA, and the California Trucking Association (CTA). The proceeds were consequential enough to assist WIL in awarding 2 scholarships to deserving college students pursuing a career in logistics management that year.

So in 2015, it was decided that we should host these events annually to promote the good work of organizations that give back to the maritime industry, and why not feature the Port of Oakland to raise money and use the proceeds to give back to the port community?

For WIL, this event contributes to its scholarship fund, which has been able to award over $116,000 to 52 recipients. And PMSA’s portion has been donated to two worthy causes: Oakland Promise, a City-sponsored career and college achievement program, and beginning last year, the International Maritime Center (IMC), which provides much needed support to seafarers whose ships call the Port of Oakland. These hard-working, little-thought-of, seafarers are at sea for months at a time, away from loved ones, making sure our goods arrive to shore so that our products arrive timely to our favorite store (or to our porches).

So while the work to host these events is no small feat, it is made easier when we remember the students who are the future of our industry and the seafarers who are the backbone of our industry who we are putting in the work for.

Fast forward to 2025, with the retirement of Executive Director Danny Wan and introduction of Executive Director Kristi McKenney, the first woman appointed to lead the Port, there is much to celebrate. While the final figures for the February 26 event are still being tabulated, we thank the Port and all our sponsors for allowing us to do this event for these last 10 years. We look forward to hosting many, many more.

Photos from the 2025 State of the Port of Oakland event: