Blue MBA Ambassadors serve as leaders and liaison contacts for alumni and participants of the programme; to better connect our graduates to the unique shipping industry, Ambassadors are appointed in different regions and business segments to raise awareness of the programme’s mission to develop strategic capabilities of management in the maritime and associated industries. Or put more simply to develop the next generation of maritime CEO’s.
Thomas Damsgaard has had an exciting +30years shipping career, earning his stripes in a succession of increasingly challenging roles within senior management and leadership for market leaders such as the Clipper Group, Spliethoff Group, SAL, Scan-Trans and Inchcape. He has lead several start-ups and turnarounds within global maritime.
Damsgaard acts as an external advisor on leadership, strategy and optimization to global maritime and logistics organizations and serves on several professional boards.
An active member of the Houston community, he fills leading roles including for the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association, Advisory Board at University of Houston; he co-founded the Danish American Chamber of Commerce and a non-for profit maritime scholarship fundraiser.
“Shipping used to be seen as a cyclical industry, with bursts and microbursts of opportunity that you need to grasp if you want to survive. But we’ve started to see a shift from a more traditional cyclical asset-based mindset to one recognizing that the human side of how the assets are used are increasingly important. Global shipping and logistics is changing more rapidly than anyone anticipated.” Read Thomas’ feature >> https://mba-blog-cbs.dk/blue-mba/industrys-changing-at-an-incredible-pace/
Mr. Saunak Rai is heading “FueLNG”, a Joint venture of Shell and Keppel, a LNG bunkering company providing LNG as bunkers to customers through truck to ship and ship to ship operations, as well as carrying out LNG distribution to industry in Singapore. Mr. Saunak Rai is also the Deputy Chairman of the National Technical Committee for LNG Bunkering in Singapore.
Mr. Saunak Rai graduated with President’s Gold Medal in Nautical Science from Mumbai University and has completed his Master’s in Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. Mr. Saunak Rai is a licensed Master Mariner and has extensive experience working on LNG vessels, Tankers, Bulk Carriers and Container vessels He is also a certified Chartered Ship Broker and Fellow and Executive Committee Member of the “Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers”. Saunak is also Singapore Ambassador of Copenhagen Business School.
With extensive leadership experience in the shipping industry, Pérez-Ferretti has a proven track record in promising leadership strategy. His successes include digitalising and decarbonising the industry through a joint venture to develop AI tools for fleet optimisation. He is the CEO of Ultratank Shipping S.A. and a 2021 graduate of the Blue MBA. He has been appointed as a Blue MBA Ambassador for his solid expertise in the field and notoriety in the Latin American market.
Having completed the executive programme in 2021, Perez-Ferretti recognises the importance of lifelong learning, especially in the shipping and logistics industry: “The Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics, known for its world-class reputation, is designed to foster lifelong learning and equip participants with advanced skills essential for thriving as industry leaders throughout their careers. This programme offers a comprehensive perspective on the shipping sector, encompassing supply chain, logistics, finance, investment, maritime law, sustainability, management, and leadership. I am excited to connect with prospective candidates and contribute to raising the profile of the Blue MBA in Latin America.”
Amado Mabasso is Chairman of the Board of Directors of I2A Investimentos focused on logistics processes, fuel, community relations, social development and institutional relations.
He has over 20 years of experience between mining and logistics in Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. He has experience in the fuel sector in railway operations with emphasis on bunker and rail transport. He worked at Vale Mozambique from 2006 to 2011, having held various positions in the construction phase of the Moatize project, with emphasis on the assembly of the fuel supply system and its logistics. From 2012 to February 2018 was CEO of CDN – Corrdeor de desenvolemento do Norte (Mozambique) and CEAR – The Central East African Railways.
Capt. Prashant has over 20 years of transformational leadership experience across geographies in the maritime, shipping and logistics industry. From being one of the youngest officers to command a fully laden gas tanker to come ashore with Maersk, where over the past five years he spearheaded the sustainability and shared-value responsible ship recycling programme aimed at creating opportunities globally for the benefit of workers and the environment, as well as responsible yards and shipowners. Through conceiving and implementing a robust standard and framework, he has played a pivotal role in uplifting standards at global ship recycling locations and particularly at Alang, India.
His team has responsibly selected, engaged and led the upgrade of facilities and the hinterland Alang area through relentless engagement efforts resulting in unprecedented impact. He holds a Degree in Nautical Sciences from BITS, Pilani and an Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) and has been awarded in leadership, business, community, and social impact categories by prestigious organisations. CBS appointed him the first Ambassador in India to strengthen the established links in business and academia between India and Denmark. He was named 2021 Class of 40 Under 40 Europe India Leaders – see here.
“The Blue MBA, albeit a challenging assignment to embark on, is one that I would highly recommend to a top-quality maritime professional willing to invest significant efforts in staying ahead of the curve. With the acquired tools and experience, I feel the future is exciting and believe I am well-positioned to meaningfully contribute to our society, community, and the shipping industry at large as it moves into a decisive decade of large-scale sustainable organisational transformation.” Read Prahant’s feature >> https://mba-blog-cbs.dk/blue-mba/the-blue-mba-helped-me-transform-into-a-thought-leader/
Dorte is currently the Vice President of Operations & Claims at Hafnia, Dorte has a wealth of experience managing the operations of over 200 vessels across various product and chemical tanker pools. Her global responsibility ensures top-quality service for customers, whether pool partners or charterers.
Dorte has been part of the management teams of several global shipping companies, allowing her to navigate various opportunities and challenges, such as international leadership in a global organisation, mergers and acquisitions, stakeholder management, turnaround strategies, and relationship-building across borders and cultures.
Dorte’s philosophy on leadership centres on teamwork, responsibility, and personal growth. She believes in empowering her team through delegation and challenge, fostering individual and collective development. Her extensive knowledge within the tanker industry, gained from international experience international experience and roles in chartering, supply chain and operations makes her a great fit as the Nordic ambassador.
“We are living in a new world that is quickly evolving into an era where developments in skillset and mindset is imperative in any leadership position. The Blue MBA provides a unique opportunity to grow and unlock leadership potential through a comprehensive curriculum relevant to not only to the maritime industry, but to the broader global landscape.”
With an extensive career spanning over 30 years in the field, Lars Hoffmann has worked in various logistics businesses across different sectors, primarily focusing on moving cargo. He is currently based in Istanbul as the Vice President and Head of Business Unit Mediterranean at DFDS and a graduate of the Blue MBA class of 2023. He has been appointed as the Blue MBA Ambassador for his focus on the importance of continued learning and embracing innovation in the shipping and logistics industry.
Lars Hoffman’s decision to join the Blue MBA programme was driven by its strong emphasis on logistics, aligning with his professional interests and enabling him to tailor assignments to address DFDS’ specific needs, and the desire to always improve personal skills and move forward. Moreover, he values the programme’s international recognition and professional approach. The diverse composition and global outlook of the participants has played a significant role in broadening his perspective on shipping.
Lars Hoffmann aims to be at the forefront of this transformation, driving innovation and introducing new ways of thinking within DFDS. He envisions analysing data, reviewing strategies, and actively seeking long-term solutions for the company’s sustainable future. Embracing industry transformation is a proactive approach that he believes is essential for success.
“Participating in the Blue MBA programme has significantly expanded my analytical and theoretical toolkit, transforming my approach to various aspects such as change management and the integration of mergers and acquisitions. This combination of academic education and my 30-year practical experience in the shipping industry has proven to be an ideal blend for my professional growth and future endeavors,” says Lars Hoffman.
“I look forward to serving the program and CBS as World Wide recognized Businesses school and leader within Maritime EMBA – in light of geopolitical upheavals the importance of stability in this industry is even more important, which the programme equips you for. I hope to contribute to the life-long learning activities of the Blue MBA Alumni Academy and to help recruit fitting participants to ultimately ensure smooth shipping operations in the Mediterranean and our neighboring regions. The connections you build through the programme are second to none and I am extremely delighted to be an ambassador.”
