Isabelle Rickmers has been working in shipping since 2010 after finishing her studies in business administration at ESCP-EAP Europe. Lastly, Isabelle worked as Managing Director at E.R. Schiffahrt, and later as Managing Director at Zeaborn Ship Management, before she decided to set up her own business.

Isabelle started research on seafarer recruitment and TURTLE was born and eventually launched in 2022. TURTLE has more than 130,000 registered seafarers and 40 Shipping Companies from around the globe plus a diversified team of 22 people in Hamburg, Munich, and Gdynia. Isabelle is passionate about applying digital tools to maritime recruitment to increase efficiency and transparency and to improve overall seafarer conditions, helping companies with their social sustainability and diversity approach.