Christina Lista – Youngest Member of Maritime Exchange Board of Directors
Western Fumigation is proud to announce that our very own Christina Lista, International Business Development Manager, has joined the Board of Directors of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, which also confirms her membership as a director on November 12, 2025. It makes her the youngest member of the board. Being the youngest member proves that age doesn’t matter. It’s passion, knowledge, and focus that really matter. Christina has all three and more.
The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay is a nonprofit trade association and the leading advocate and information provider for port and related businesses in the tristate region. Before her time at Western Fumigation, Christina had a few other jobs including being the Communications Manager for the Maritime Exchange, where she managed communications, marketing, government affairs, membership, and events. Knowing she held this position at one point, it’s almost a full-circle moment for her to be confirmed to be on this Board of Directors.
Christina not only brings that very specific experience with her. Exchange President George McCarthy said, “Along with her varied career in the maritime industry, Christina brings a fresh perspective to the Exchange’s Board of Directors. Her experience in both the non-profit and for-profit world provides a unique perspective that will serve her well in this role.” Christina thinks it was a perfect fit. She said, “My election to the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay Board of Directors is a huge honor. I’ve looked up to many of the Board Members since starting my career in this industry, and to now sit among them feels surreal.”
As the International Business Development Manager here at Western Fumigation, Christina drives global market growth with a focus on South American produce. She is passionate about building strong, enduring partnerships with importers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers, facilitating efficient and regulatory-compliant international trade. The relationships she has formed with our customers is a testament to her dedication to uphold the Western Fumigation principles of quality, safety and security, and compliance. In a mostly male-driven industry, Christina is continuing to pave the way for women in the pest management industry and on the Board of Directors itself. She noted, “I’m most proud to be following in the footsteps of Barbara Hunter, who held the same role as I do now at Western Fumigation and also was the first woman ever appointed to the Maritime Exchange Board.”
Christina never seems to let up. She even travels to Chile every year to meet with key stakeholders, deepening relationships and uncovering new opportunities for collaboration. She is known for her cultural fluency, strategic vision, and commitment to international trade as she plays a pivotal role in advancing our reputation as a trusted partner in the global produce industry. Beyond her work at Western Fumigation, Christina also serves as Director of the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening trade and cultural ties between Chile and the Greater Philadelphia region. In this role, she brings together industry leaders, businesses, and professionals to foster collaboration and expand international partnerships.
Christina’s extensive background in the maritime industry, her knowledge and passion for the people and commodities at the ports, and her natural ability to make and maintain relationships make her the perfect addition to this Board of Directors. Christina has proven that age is just a number. And we couldn’t be prouder of her.
You can read the full article in The Beacon, the Maritime Exchange’s quarterly newsletter, here.