Steamships recently announced the appointment of Ruth Kissam, who joined the Steamships team as General Manager of Corporate Affairs. She is the first woman to hold the position within the Company, and with the historical appointment, Steamships reinforces its commitment to closing gender gaps as Ruth leads an all-female-Papua New Guinean team.
A respected leader, advocate, and changemaker, Ruth Kissam brings a wealth of experience in grassroots development, community engagement, and advocacy. In her new role, she will oversee Steamships’ communications, sustainability, and community engagement efforts, leading a dynamic and all-female team of Papua New Guinean professionals. Her appointment marks a milestone in Steamships’ commitment to gender equity and the empowerment of women in leadership roles.
"Ruth’s appointment reflects Steamships’ ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for capable, passionate Papua New Guinean women to lead," said Steamships Managing Director Chris Daniells. “We believe that empowering women in leadership not only strengthens our company but also helps build a more inclusive and resilient future for Papua New Guinea.”
Kissam’s all-female team challenges the gender norms and is spearheading key initiatives across the company’s corporate affairs portfolio, ensuring that community, sustainability, and inclusive growth remain central to Steamships’ operations.
“I’m proud to lead a team of smart, dedicated Papua New Guinean women who are passionate about making a difference,” said Ruth Kissam. “Together, we’re not just representing women in leadership, we’re reshaping what leadership looks like through an iconic company that has played a significant role in the growth of this great nation.”
Steamships has a proud history of taking active steps to grow women in senior leadership positions, nurturing local talent and promoting based on merit. These included Seini Fisi’ihoi who was the General Manager of Human Resources 2022-2023, and Deborah Onga previously Steamships’ youngest member of the Senior Management team, taking the position as Group Legal Counsel December 2020 – March 2024.
