Debbie Owen joined the Lawhill Maritime Centre in 2014, bringing with her more
than 30 years of experience in public relations, corporate communication, and
education–industry partnerships. Before Lawhill, she founded Do Communicate, a
consultancy focused on strategic communication within the maritime and media
sectors.
Leading at Lawhill
At Lawhill, Debbie leads with purpose and vision. She is shaping an environment
where education is both a launching pad and a homecoming:
Accessibility — ensuring learners from disadvantaged backgrounds can
access maritime education.
Relevance — aligning the curriculum with the real needs of the maritime
industry.
Character — nurturing responsibility, discipline, and leadership alongside
technical knowledge.
Community — building an alumni network where former students who once
studied at Lawhill — now captains, engineers, and maritime professionals —
return from sea and shore to mentor current learners and celebrate the
Centre’s 30-year legacy in 2025.
Why Her Work Matters
Debbie’s work is about continuity — lighting a spark that becomes a chain of
inspiration. Each student she guides has the potential to break cycles of limitation,
find purpose, and, in turn, give back. As Lawhill marks three decades of maritime
education, its alumni returning from across the globe stand as living proof of her
impact. They are the embodiment of what happens when education, opportunity, and
leadership meet — transformation that ripples from one generation to the next.
Honours and Achievements
2022 – Imbokodo “Best Mentor” Award, recognising her outstanding
mentorship.
2023 – “Shero of the Sector” Award, making her the first person to win two
Imbokodo awards consecutively.
Appointed Maritime Ambassador by the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), honouring her global advocacy for maritime education
and youth empowerment.
Debbie Owen continues to steer Lawhill forward with unwavering commitment —
proving that purpose-driven leadership can turn a school into a movement and
education into a legacy.
As Lawhill Maritime Centre celebrates 30 years of transforming young lives,
Debbie Owen stands as both its anchor and its compass. The alumni returning from
sea and shore — captains, officers, and professionals — are living proof of the ripple
effect she continues to create.
She is a fantastic role model, leading with authenticity, humility, and conviction.
I deeply admire her unwavering dedication to shaping futures through education
and purpose. Debbie’s leadership reminds us that when passion meets vision, the
result is not just progress — it’s legacy.
