She took up her father on his suggestion to join the family business after several years in marketing and public relations after college.
IntraFish: What attracted you about the seafood industry?
Kim Gorton: Although my first job was reporting to work at an hour when most of my friends were getting home from a night out, the seafood industry immediately appealed to me. I think it was a combination of the incredible people I got to interact with, some characters for sure, but some of the best people I've ever met, and the tangible nature of what we do – that had me hooked.
IF: What obstacles have you faced in your career a man might not have encountered?
KG: I honestly don’t believe I've faced any challenges that would have been unique to women. You've got to have a tough outer layer for sure, and be able to communicate effectively with many different kinds of people, but that’s no different for men or for women. I've also been fortunate to have an incredibly supportive family and team at work who have allowed me to do what I do professionally while also having the flexibility to be a mom. There is the multitasking, I suppose, and some very funny things have happened over the years trying to manage both sides of hectic.
IF: Would you encourage other women to seek a career in this industry? Why?
KG: Absolutely! This is a fun, dynamic, and incredibly interesting global industry that is filled with people passionate about food. We nourish people, we support communities, and we care for the environment. Women can absolutely connect with that.
IF: What advice would you give aspiring female seafood executives?
KG: I’d say to any young person starting out to build a network in the industry and get involved. I would also encourage people to find a few mentors – who they are, male or female, doesn't matter as much as what you can learn from them. It should be someone you respect, someone who is passionate about what they do, and someone who believes in you.
And finally, play to your individual strengths. Women can be good listeners and consensus builders. Finding your passion is the most important thing, it helps establish credibility.
IF: What are the biggest challenges facing female seafood executives in the industry?
KG: I think the greatest challenge facing executives in our industry is the ability to attract and retain smart, hard-working individuals early in their career. This industry may not be glamorous, cutting-edge or high tech, but it represents one of the most complex global systems in the world, all for the purpose of feeding people – very important and incredibly noble work.
IF: How can the industry recruit more women into the sector?
KG: The more companies that can enable women who want a career to also find some work life balance, the more we will see women engaged in our industry. I think most millennials look for this in companies today, male or female.
IF: Why are there so few women in executive roles in seafood?
KG: Perhaps it is the prevalence of multi-generational family businesses in our industry, but I do see more women coming up through the ranks, and some very bright ones for sure.
IF: If there were one thing you could change about the industry to make it a better place for women workers, what would it be?
KG: I think the more we realize that we are connected to a bigger system in the food industry in general, the more closely we will interact with other related industries where women have been very successful. The culinary world, for example, is filled with talented women (and men) whose focus on seafood has influenced nearly every top food trend. And with over 75 percent of retail shoppers being female, we have a great opportunity to connect the dots.
IF: What was the dumbest advice a man in the seafood industry has ever given you?
KG: I don’t know that I remember any particularly bad advice, but I do remember the best advice: Relationships matter, always.
