Simona Toma

Chief Maritime HR at Columbia Ship Management

Speaker

Simona Toma is the Chief of Maritime HR at Columbia Group, with 20 years of global experience in shipping, maritime human resources, crew management, and training. A former seafarer herself, Simona brings firsthand insight into the realities of life at sea, which strongly informs her people-focused leadership style. Prior to joining Columbia, she held senior positions at OSM Thome Singapore, Sea Team Management, and Maersk, where she managed crewing operations for large, diverse fleets.

Simona is a passionate advocate for seafarer wellbeing, inclusive culture, and leadership accountability. Her work focuses on building a modern, resilient maritime workforce—one that prioritizes safety, diversity, and professional development both onboard and ashore. Simona’s appointment reflects Columbia’s commitment to progressive, people-driven operational excellence.