Williamsville, New York, United States, July 2026 — Mainstay Maritime has appointed Kyla Olsen as Director, Human Resources, strengthening its executive leadership team as the company continues to support the growth and operational excellence of one of the largest bulk freight shipping networks across the Great Lakes region.
In her new role, Olsen will lead the company’s human resources strategy, overseeing talent acquisition, leadership development, employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, HR operations, culture, compliance, and people transformation initiatives across Mainstay Maritime’s diversified maritime operations.
Olsen joins Mainstay Maritime from VanDeMark Chemical Inc., where she most recently served as Human Resources Director. Partnering closely with the CEO and private equity stakeholders, she led HR strategy for a chemical manufacturing operation, driving workforce transformation, organizational design, leadership development, employee engagement, safety culture, succession planning, workforce planning, compliance, and large-scale organizational transition initiatives. She also launched leadership development programs utilizing 360-degree feedback and Caliper assessments while strengthening culture through employee engagement programs and cross-functional collaboration.
Earlier at VanDeMark, as Human Resources Manager, she modernized HR operations by implementing new recruitment technologies, improving talent acquisition processes, enhancing workforce diversity, securing workforce development grants, introducing KPI-driven HR scorecards, and strengthening employee relations, compliance, payroll operations, and human capital reporting.
Prior to that, Olsen served with Ivoclar North America, where she held the positions of Associate Manager, Talent Acquisition, People & Culture and Senior Talent Recruiter. During her tenure, she led enterprise recruitment across North America, implemented UKG Recruiting and Onboarding, supported succession planning and DE&I initiatives, enhanced candidate experience, and partnered with executive leadership on strategic workforce planning and talent acquisition.
Earlier in her career, she gained broad HR leadership experience with Allpro Parking, where she supported rapid workforce expansion across multiple locations while overseeing payroll, talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, compliance, and HR integration activities. She also held HR and executive support roles with Berardi Immigration Law and PCI, building expertise across recruitment, employee relations, HR operations, compliance, benefits administration, and organizational support.
Across more than a decade of progressive experience, Olsen has developed strong expertise in Human Resources Strategy, Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, Employee Engagement, Organizational Development, Workforce Planning, Performance Management, HR Technology, HR Operations, Compliance, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations, Talent Management, Change Management, and Culture Transformation.
Her appointment reflects Mainstay Maritime’s continued investment in building a people-first organization that supports operational excellence, leadership capability, workforce development, and long-term sustainable growth.
About Mainstay Maritime
Mainstay Maritime is a leading provider of bulk freight shipping services across the Great Lakes region, operating through its subsidiaries American Steamship Company, Andrie, Grand River Navigation, and Lower Lakes Towing. The company manages a fleet of 28 vessels, including conventional bulk carriers, self-unloading bulk carriers, and liquid-product vessels, serving customers throughout the United States and Canada. Operating under the U.S. Jones Act and the Canada Coasting Trade Act, Mainstay Maritime plays a critical role in transporting essential raw materials and industrial commodities across North America’s inland waterways. The company is recognized for its commitment to operational reliability, safety, environmental stewardship, and supporting the critical supply chains that power regional industries.
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