WIMOs Launches New Louisiana Bayou Chapter

Women in Maritime Operations (WIMOs) has announced it has launched its newest chapter in the Louisiana Bayou area.

WIMOs, founded in 2017, is a New Orleans, La.-based nonprofit organization that aims to recruit, retain and promote women in the maritime industry. The organization focuses on mentorship, networking and education to strengthen women in their roles as mariners. WIMOs is present in 27 states and four countries and has more than 1,300 members.

Though a Southern Louisiana chapter had already been established, WIMOs noticed the heavy and growing influence of the maritime industry in the Bayou region. In less than a year, the organization was able to secure enough membership needed to establish the new chapter. A regional recruitment event was held May 1, 2025, and by winter the membership goal was reached. The Bayou chapter currently includes 48 members.

The Bayou chapter is led by President Joni Gremillion, senior operations analyst for Enterprise Products. Other leadership includes Vice President Sarah Hebert from Houma Bearing Services, Inc.; Secretary Selena LeBeouf from ADM; and Treasurer Amy Kaplan of Seacor Marine.

“I am absolutely thrilled to launch the Bayou Chapter of WIMOs in a community that is so near and dear to my heart,” Gremillion said. “I am surrounded by an incredible group of women on our Bayou Chapter board, and together we are excited to bring this outstanding organization to the Bayou region. Being part of WIMOs has given me valuable professional connections and lifelong friendships, and we cannot wait for other women in our community to experience that same powerful support, mentorship and collaboration.”

Gremillion, whose maritime career has spanned more than a decade, is a native of the Bayou area and has been volunteering with WIMOs since 2021. Now chapter president, Gremillion is elated that WIMOs can now also call the Bayou area home.

“We realized that there was a need for this area that wasn’t being fulfilled,” Gremillion said. “We saw an opportunity, and we took it.”

Gremillion explained that new WIMOs members generally choose which chapter to join based on their job location. WIMOs members can also join multiple chapters, allowing them to attend and participate in events each chapter hosts. According to Gremillion, WIMOs is currently working on joint events between chapters to broaden networking and educational initiatives.

WIMOs events are divided into three categories: engage, elevate and educate. “Educate” events are typically maritime focused educational luncheons, while “elevate” events focus on mentoring and refining industry skills, and “engage” events prioritize networking. The Bayou chapter held its first event, the Grow and Glow Pickleball Clinic, on Tuesday, June 30, with more events currently in the works.

Women who are interested in more information about the WIMOs Bayou Chapter are encouraged to visit www.wimos.org, or email wimosbayou@wimos.org.