Emma Galati Tsantles — 40 Under 40 Recipient

Updated March 24, 2022

Emma Galati Tsantles Named Boating Industry’s 40 Under 40

Boating Industry’s annual 40 Under 40 recognition program shines the spotlight on influential individuals under 40 years of age, taking the marine industry by storm. Award recipients are selected from nearly 200 nominations across all aspects of the industry, from dealers to sales professionals, manufacturers, and everything in between. These 40 young professionals exceed in their given field with a multitude of accomplishments and strengths while also demonstrating a strong passion for the boating world and the future of the industry.

This year we are proud to announce Emma Galati Tsantles, Certified Human Resource Professional for Galati Yacht Sales, was nominated and awarded as one of the top 40 under 40 leaders in the marine industry. Read what Emma had to say during her interview with Boating Magazine.

What first drew you to the marine industry?

It’s not what drew me to the industry as much as what has kept me in it. I was lucky enough to be born into my family’s business and grew up around boats my entire life. When going into college, my parents pushed me to do my own thing and to not feel the pressure of joining the family business; however, that didn’t keep me away. Every summer while I was in school, I interned at the family business in multiple departments to learn all aspects of the company. I wanted to learn everything, accounting, marketing, sales, HR, and so on. Once working in HR, I decided that’s what I was going to do, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else or working anywhere else!

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I have experienced many accomplishments in my career, but I would have to say I am most proud of becoming a certified HR professional. I was one of the youngest in my class, and it was a goal I had set for myself to complete right after I graduated college. Becoming a certified HR professional has only helped me to grow in my career from the start to now. With keeping my certification, I have to complete 60 hours of HR-related coursework every two years which keeps me on top of constant changes.

Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career?

I have many mentors in my career, especially working in a family business because not only are they mentors in my career, but also in my personal life. My dad, aunt, and my three uncles are the most inspiring people in my life. They are the hardest workers I know, and I do my best to live up to their expectations every day. They created a legacy for the third generation of this business, and learning from them and working under them has truly helped me grow in my career. My aunt specifically has mentored me in my HR career, and I am so grateful to have learned so much from her.

As a young professional, what are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the marine industry, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I have faced in the marine industry is proving myself to the generations above me. I have overcome this by becoming a well-rounded individual in all aspects of the marine industry. By doing so, I am able to relate to all positions within the industry giving me a bit of an edge when it comes to working in HR within the marine industry. Although I work for my family’s business, nothing was given to me. I had to earn my way into the position I hold now as a Certified HR Professional and continue to prove myself each and every day.

How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry?

This question is very personal to me. The people I hope to inspire are the next generation of family members that will hopefully join the business one day. I hope to inspire with leading by example, just like my dad, aunt, and uncles did for their children. I want to uphold the legacy that my family started and pass it down for generations to come. Also, I hope to inspire other young professionals not only in the marine industry as a whole but at Galati Yacht Sales. We currently have over 1/3 of our company under the age of 40. Working in HR, I do my best to inspire each of those young professionals every day with leading by example.

Who was your hero as a child?

My parents are my childhood heroes. They have given me everything they have just to make my life easier and are always there for me, I would do anything for them. They have shown me what it means to lead by example and have both taught me life skills that I only hope to pass down myself.

What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies?

My favorite non-boating hobby is traveling. I definitely have the travel bug, and I try to leave the country at least once a year. I have traveled to 15 different countries and only want to see more.

Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry?

I can only speak to my own experience, but I can say that this industry is very encouraging to young individuals, and it has truly inspired me. I feel that the marine industry chose me in a sense, and I couldn’t be happier. The marine industry is taking the world by storm as we are up and coming, innovative, and creative. The marine industry as a whole is an inspiring industry to be a part of, and young professionals would be lucky to be a part of something so great.