Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, has been honored in the “2018 Influential Business Women” awards by the South Florida Business Journal. Duffy was recognized at a recent ceremony attended by other area civic and business leaders in Fort Lauderdale’s Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina.
Nominees were selected for their strong record of leadership, performance and innovation in their industries, plus meaningful community involvement.
When accepting her award, Carnival’s first female president highlighted a philosophy that guides her professional life. “My mantra for leadership has always been ‘Aspire to Inspire,’ because I strongly believe that as leaders we can only reach greater heights when we are successful in inspiring, motivating and engaging others.”
She said leading an organization with 40,000 employees from more than 60 nations allows her to serve as a role model for future women leaders, but also to be inspired by all Carnival team members who display “dedication and commitment to our guests and to each other every day.”
The company’s extensive community support in South Florida and beyond – such as raising $16 million to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fight childhood cancer -- also was showcased in the awards nomination.
“I’m a big believer in giving back. One of our core company values is to show care and respect for each other, our ships, our home and the places we visit,” Duffy said. “We strive to be a good corporate citizen and are very proud of our team members who volunteer, support and share this enthusiasm for doing the right thing.”