MSF27 AMBASSADORS

Captain Kelly J. Gordon is an accomplished superyacht captain, public speaker, educator and founder of Yachtie Minds Matter, a nonprofit organisation that provides access to therapy and mental health resources for professionals in the yachting industry.

Raised on a farm in Indiana, Kelly followed an unconventional path to the bridge. Her career included welding and academia, including working as a chemistry professor, before she discovered the world of yachting. That journey shaped a leadership style grounded in curiosity, resilience and continuous learning.

Alongside her operational experience at sea, Kelly is committed to sharing knowledge, mentoring the next generation and creating more open conversations around crew wellbeing, mental health and women in yachting.

As an Ambassador of the Mediterranean Superyacht Forum, Kelly represents the Forum’s commitment to people-centred leadership, inclusion and meaningful industry collaboration. By bringing the realities of life onboard into the wider industry conversation, she helps turn lived experience into positive action and contributes to a more supportive, informed and forward-looking superyacht sector.

Raphael Sauleau is the Chief Executive Officer of IYC and an accomplished international executive with more than 25 years of experience across the maritime, private wealth and hospitality sectors.

His career has encompassed crew operations, yacht management, business development and executive leadership. Before joining IYC, Raphael served as CEO of Fraser Yachts for seven years, overseeing a period of significant growth and international expansion.

Known for combining strategic vision with operational expertise, Raphael places people, team development and service excellence at the centre of sustainable business growth. His involvement in industry associations and maritime initiatives also reflects his commitment to collaboration and to advancing the wider yachting ecosystem.

As an Ambassador of the Mediterranean Superyacht Forum, Raphael brings a global business perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the superyacht industry.

His experience supports the Forum’s mission to connect leaders, encourage open dialogue and transform shared knowledge into meaningful action for the future of the sector.

Anders Kurtén is the Chief Executive Officer of Fraser Yachts and an international business leader with more than 25 years of experience in management, sales, marketing and product development across the marine and luxury sectors.

Before joining Fraser, Anders served as CEO of Baltic Yachts, where he helped lead the company’s strategic turnaround and reinforce its position within the international superyacht market.

His leadership combines a pragmatic understanding of the yachting industry with a strong interest in technology, the Internet of Things and their potential to improve client service and operational performance. He is also committed to developing industry-wide solutions and practices that support more sustainable superyacht experiences.

As an Ambassador of the Mediterranean Superyacht Forum, Anders brings a forward-looking perspective focused on innovation, responsible transformation and people-led growth.

His experience supports the Forum’s ambition to connect strategic vision with practical action and to encourage collaboration around a smarter, more sustainable future for the superyacht industry.