Celebrity Cruises has announced Below Deck‘s Captain, Sandy Yawn and her sister, Michelle Dunham, as Godmothers for Celebrity Ascent, launching this November.
Captain Sandy Yawn is best known for her appearance on the hit TV Series, Below Deck, alongside her sister Michelle Dunham- founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA). This dynamic sister duo will now join the industry’s first brother Captains, Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis, who were announced earlier this year as Captains of Celebrity Ascent.
The sisters will now join a highly respected, exclusive group of inspirational women holding the role of Godmother for a Celebrity Cruises ship: including Simone Biles (World Champion and Olympic Medallist); Reshma Saujani (founder and CEO of Girls Who Code); and Malala Yousafzai (Nobel laureate and activist).
“We are honoured to have Captain Sandy and her sister Michelle join the legacy of Celebrity’s Godmothers, as they are both inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact in the world. Both women live by Celebrity’s values, and we have no doubt they are the perfect choices for Ascent.”
Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President
As a best-selling author and motivational speaker, Captain Sandy is passionate about sharing her life stories to inspire others and serves as a powerful female role model. Beyond her very successful yachting career, she actively contributes to philanthropy, ocean advocacy, and children’s education.
“As I embark on this remarkable journey as a co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, I am deeply honoured to represent not only the spirit of leadership but also the strength of women empowerment. This role serves as a reminder that women can steer their destinies with grace and determination, commanding the seas of possibility and inspiring others to follow their own paths with courage and conviction.”
Captain Sandy Yawn
Co-founder of JSA, Michelle Dunham developed the model for the school to give her son the best opportunity to learn. Established in 2005, JSA is a not-for-profit private school for students and young adults with autism spectrum disorders.
“It fills my heart with immense pride to stand as co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, alongside my sister, Captain Sandy Yawn. As we embark on this journey, much like Celebrity Cruise Line’s commitment to delivering exceptional vacations and enriching lives, we embrace the same spirit of compassion and positive change. Together, we aspire to elevate lives, create boundless possibilities, and set sail towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all who grace our path through the charities we founded, Jacksonville School for Autism and Captain Sandy’s Charities.”
Michelle Dunham
The newly appointed Co-Godmothers will christen the ship during Celebrity Ascent’s official naming ceremony on 1st December this year.
