Rebecca Yackley Honored for Her Contributions to the Seaway System

Harbor House Publishers and Great Lakes/Seaway Review, in partnership with Women in Logistics, have announced Rebecca Yackley, director of Trade & Economic Development, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) is the recipient of this year’s IMPACT! Award. The award is presented annually to a woman who has shown extraordinary contributions to her company and to the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway.

“I owe most of my education and training to the Department of Defense,” said Yackley. At 19, she was a clerk at the Department of the Navy, which led to an executive secretary role. Four years later she took an entry-level position with Navy intelligence, where she dove into commercial maritime operations, identifying illegal drugs onboard cargo ships en route to U.S. ports. That kickstarted her now 41-year job history within the maritime industry.

Working within the DoD, Yackley took advantage of ongoing training. She was immersed in maritime classes and had hands-on training at ports and terminals. She was tasked with analyzing cargo imports from areas like Columbia and Venezuela, working directly with other U.S. agencies like the Coast Guard, DEA, and FBI, to identify and thwart drug trafficking. “I never dreamed of leaving the intelligence field because I knew I could make a difference by keeping drugs out of our country,” Yackley said.

But her talents were recognized, and she was led down new paths. She continued her training at the University of Cambridge, England, where she was one of two Americans in a class of 30 and the only woman. At the end of the course, one of her peers suggested she apply for a job as the director of Trade Development. She got the job and shifted gears.
Over the years, Yackley climbed the career ladder within the Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Center, and the U.S. Department of the Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, and took advantage of every educational opportunity she could find. “The best training you can receive is on-the-job training and with every port visit, conference or meeting within the maritime industry, I continue to learn about this fascinating industry,” she said.

Dedication to the System

Yackley’s thirst for knowledge has helped her to make great strides in the maritime industry. Through the years, she researched and selected data resources used to track and develop systems for analyzing cargo and trade data in real time as it enters and exits the Seaway System. She identified the best tool to allow the Office of Trade and Economic Development at the GLS to identify commercial cargo trends and spot opportunities like identifying new and emergent cargos or supply chain shifts that have opened new geographical opportunities for international partnerships. The system Yackley developed has been the foundation for strategic planning for the GLS.

Along the way, Yackley has been a strong voice for the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System, helping to bring awareness of the area as a direct route for cargo and passengers to the heartland of North America. “I realized early on that maritime industry leaders, both domestic and international, didn’t know you could bring a cargo or cruise ship into the Seaway system. I always travel with a nautical map to chart the way into the Great Lakes,” said Yackley. From 2000 to 2012, Yackley developed and executed 12 binational Seaway Trade Missions, traveling with four different Seaway administrators to 14 countries and 32 different cities.

Her efforts to reach a wider audience paid off in both increased cargo and more cruise ship visits. Yackley cites her greatest achievement as helping bring growth in the cruise industry within the Great Lakes, and her highlight was the work she performed with Viking Cruises. She began communicating with Viking when the cruise line was first exploring the Great Lakes and didn’t yet have a Seaway-fitted ship. “Learning of their interest, I engaged the VP of Operations and we hit the ground running,” said Yackley. She facilitated numerous meetings between Viking, port authorities, tourism offices and federal agencies, and two years later Viking announced their Great Lakes itineraries.

Beyond cruising, Yackley has also continuously explored opportunities for maritime decarbonization and avenues to attract new shippers into the system, using her innovative approach and resourcefulness to find solutions others have missed.

Trailblazer for Women

As she nears retirement, Yackley plans to add to her successful career by sharing her vast knowledge and experience with her two new staff people, who happen to be women. “I’m so happy that these positions were filled by women who are eager to make a difference in their roles at the GLS. I finally feel that I can truly support their career growth by mentoring them in this male-dominated industry,” said Yackley. After being the only woman in the room for 22 years of her career, she is happy to see times finally changing and a steady increase of women appearing at industry-related events.

Her colleagues view her as a trailblazer for women in the maritime, acting as a mentor, cheerleader, and friend to women working their way up the marine career ladder. Her vast knowledge, history within the industry, and her passion for embracing new cultures and experiences have set a standard for her colleagues and have been an undeniable asset to the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System that will reach well into the future.