Katharina Stanzel is a marine ecologist by training and worked on fisheries, marine park and environmental impact assessment projects in the Indian Ocean, Asia and Australasia, before entering the world of shipping in the late 90ies. She spent 10 years as a Technical Advisor for the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), providing on site assistance during ship-source pollution incidents involving oil and other hazardous and noxious substances. In addition to giving technical advice, she was engaged in the training and guidance of specialist responders, experts and scientists worldwide.

Kathi then joined the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC) where she provided technical and scientific expertise to the Director and acted as claims manager and deputy for the Head of the Claims Department. In late 2010, she joined INTERTANKO as Deputy Managing Director, taking on the responsibility for strategic work and external advocacy plans, budgeting and the day to day financial management of the Association, as well as liaison with members, governments and administrations. She took over as the Association's Managing Director in the summer of 2012.