The MACN Secretariat
The MACN secretariat is responsible for progressing MACN’s strategic workplans (including MACN’s strategy), ensuring good governance, and managing MACN’s day-to-day work, including with its members, third parties, and funders.
The MACN secretariat office is situated metres from the historic Christianshavn in Central Copenhagen.
Cecilia Müller Torbrand
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Cecilia leads the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), a global business network working toward the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption that enables fair trade to the benefit of society at large. She was one of the front drivers for MACN’s establishment in 2011. MACN has under Cecilia’s leadership grown significantly, won multiple awards, and is considered to be one of the pre-eminent examples of collective action to tackle corruption.
Cecilia is an experienced anti-corruption specialist with more than ten years of expertise in the compliance field. She has multinational experience within shipping and trade and has been responsible for anti-corruption efforts globally; trained management and Captains worldwide; implemented whistle-blowing systems; rolled out country-specific anti-corruption campaigns, and conducted risk assessments, audits, and misconduct investigations. She has led and initiated public-private partnerships to tackle corruption globally in Nigeria, Egypt, Ukraine, India, and Argentina. In 2015 she was awarded “Compliance Officer of the Year” by the C5 Women in Compliance Awards.
Cecilia is a member of the B20 Task Force for Integrity and Compliance and is a member of WEF’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative. She is a guest lecturer at the World Maritime University.
Guesting on BBC – The Food Chain Podcast
Guesting on BBC – The Business Daily Podcast
Guesting on Kickback – The Global Anticorruption Podcast
Guesting on the Shipping Podcast
Guesting on the Democracy that Delivers Podcast
Guesting on the Lloyd’s List Podcast
Martin Benderson
Chief Partnership Officer
As Chief Partnership Officer, Martin is responsible for scaling MACN’s Collective Action initiatives and for stewarding MACN’s partnerships with international donor organizations. Martin joined the MACN secretariat in 2014 and has since catalyzed and led Collective Action initiatives to tackle corruption in the port and maritime sector in several countries. He currently oversees MACN’s Collective Action initiatives in Indonesia and Malaysia and has steered MACN’s efforts to establish a Global Port Integrity Platform. Martin also provides oversight and ensures good governance of MACN’s grant portfolio.
Prior to joining the MACN Secretariat, Martin worked as a sustainability consultant, advising corporate clients, international organizations, and donor agencies. Martin holds an MSc in International Economics and a BA in International Relations.
mbenderson@macn.dk
Tel: +45 2120 4643
Martin featured on the Democracy that Delivers Podcast
Here’s how collective action can work in real life, The FCPA Blog · Jan 25, 2017
Vivek Menon
Chief Operating Officer
Vivek is responsible for engaging the maritime industry towards MACN’s vision, executing MACN’s collective action projects, leading and overseeing MACN’s operational tools & services, and co-lead private public partnerships in combating corruption in the port and maritime sector.
Prior to joining MACN, Vivek was the head of the maritime occupational safety and health department at Sea Health and Welfare, a Danish non-profit private consultancy and service organization for Danish Shipping. Vivek is a master mariner with more than 20 years of experience in the maritime industry, including sailing as a senior officer aboard merchant ships worldwide. He holds a Master’s degree in maritime affairs with a specialty in maritime law and policy from the World Maritime University, where he is also a guest lecturer.
vmenon@macn.dk
Tel: +45 2183 6906
Vivek interviewed on the Democracy that Delivers Podcast
Vivek interviewed on the Even Keel podcast
Martin Stene
Head of Southeast Asia & Americas
Martin heads MACN’s Collective Action portfolio across Southeast Asia and the Americas, where he drives public-private partnerships and structural governance reforms in key maritime corridors. He leads high-impact interventions across complex operating environments – including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Argentina – to eliminate integrity bottlenecks and enhance port clearance efficiency. In this role, Martin serves as Project Manager for the Transparent Trade Routes initiative, supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, focusing on building public-private integrity alliances, anchoring port-level reforms, and delivering integrity training for maritime professionals and emerging seafarers.
Internally, Martin drives strategic digital transformation and systems integration across MACN to optimize operational workflows and enhance direct member support.
Prior to joining the MACN Secretariat, Martin has experience from commercial sales and the insurance industry. He holds an MSc in Security Risk Management from the University of Copenhagen and a BA (Hons) in International Relations and Security from Jagiellonian University in Kraków.
Kasper Nielsen
Head of Europe, Middle East & Seafarer Engagement
Kasper leads MACN’s collective action initiatives in Egypt, Philippines, and Ukraine, collaborating with local public and private stakeholders. He manages the HelpDesk service and engages with MACN member seafarers, conducting seminars, and developing anti-corruption tools.
With an M.Sc. in International Security and Law from the University of Southern Denmark, Kasper brings valuable operational experience from his naval officer background. He is also a certified Class 1 Master Mariner from the Royal Danish Naval Academy.
Maria Gowon
Lead – West & Central Africa
Maria leads MACN’s Collective Action initiatives in West & Central Africa. With prior experience as a local partner with the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) Nigeria, she now manages MACN’s projects and member engagement throughout the region.
Maria holds a BSc in Public Accounting from Hope College, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (Michigan, USA). She currently studies Collective Action at the International Anti-Corruption Academy, Austria.
Ignacio Kantor
Lead – Strategic Communications and Data
Ignacio leads MACN’s Data and Strategic Communications functions, helping translate data, technology, and industry collaboration into practical solutions that advance MACN’s mission.
He oversees MACN’s data platforms and technology initiatives, including the Global Port Integrity Platform (GPIP) and Incident Reporting System, while leading projects that strengthen how data is used for risk intelligence, research, member services, and collective action. He also drives MACN’s communications strategy and digital presence, and contributes to the organisation’s work on emerging technologies, including AI and automation.
With more than fifteen years of experience across the public, private, and media sectors, Ignacio brings expertise in data strategy, business intelligence, digital systems, technology development, project management, and strategic communications.
He holds an M.Sc. in Business Economics and certifications in project management methodologies and data analytics.
Sagayamary Appavou
Global Compliance Lead
As Global Compliance Lead, Sagayamary is responsible for strengthening the network’s compliance framework and supporting members in building effective anti‑corruption, sanctions, and due diligence programs.
Sagayamary brings nearly two decades of compliance expertise from the aerospace sector. She has held senior roles leading global compliance programs across anti-corruption, sanctions, and export control, driving the implementation of policies, training strategies, and third-party due diligence frameworks aligned with major regulatory standards.
Earlier in her career, she worked as legal counsel advising on complex international transactions, compliance risks, and investigations across multiple jurisdictions.
She holds an Executive MBA from Toulouse Business School and is qualified to practice law in France.
Helene Schulz
Member Relations and Event Coordinator
Radha Laplamool
Coordinator – Member Relations & Communication
As Member Relations & Communication Coordinator, Radha assists in driving member engagement and oversees the branding and design of MACN’s content and publications. Additionally, she is responsible for executing communications strategies, which include managing media releases and fostering collaboration with key external stakeholders.
Prior to joining MACN, Radha gained valuable experience through several internships in the private sector, where she honed her skills in digital marketing, branding, and communications. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Finance and Investments at Copenhagen Business School.
Captain Nilesh Murdeshwar
Maritime Expert – India
Nilesh supports MACN’s Collective Action initiatives in India, engaging with industry stakeholders and government authorities to address corruption risks that undermine operational integrity and seafarer welfare. He manages the MACN India HelpDesk, providing real-time support to vessels facing corrupt demands, and works to strengthen public-private collaboration in the region.
Nilesh holds a Master Mariner Class I certification from Australia and has over 35 years of experience in the global maritime industry. His career spans vessel command and senior leadership roles ashore across various sectors including tanker, LNG, LPG, and dry bulk. He brings extensive operational expertise and deep knowledge of maritime compliance challenges in India.
Daniel Seidler
Graduate Intern
Daniel Seidler is currently completing an MSc in Development Studies at Lund University, where his research focuses on labour and equality issues. He holds a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies from Malmö University and, during his undergraduate studies, was awarded a scholarship to study in Florida, USA, where he focused on terrorism and diplomacy. Alongside his academic work, he has founded and managed an investment company for the past four years. His interests include sustainable development, governance, and the intersection of economic growth and social equity. Outside of work, he enjoys an active lifestyle with a particular passion for climbing and surfing.
