HANNAH

Crew Profile

Captain Dan has been passionate about boating since childhood, skippering his family’s lake boat in Ohio, excelling in water skiing and wakeboarding. His love for water sports evolved into achieving his PADI Divemaster and Instructor license.

Dan transitioned into the yachting industry after managing multiple restaurant concepts in Washington, D.C. and South Florida, seamlessly transferring his hospitality expertise. He holds a 200T Master USCG license and a 500T International license, currently studying and on track to obtain his 1600T. Dan has captained vessels throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean, San Juans, Western Canada and across both the U.S. coastlines into Mexico and Central America during his eight year tenure.

Currently captaining M/Y Hannah, Dan is dedicated to creating an unforgettable charter program while maintaining the vessel to its utmost standard. He prioritizes guest safety while ensuring a memorable and unique guest experience.


Chef Gillian
Gillian originally hails from the Maryland/D.C. area and moved to South Florida in 2011. Her love of the water is what ultimately attracted her into the yachting industry.

Chef Gillian joined M/Y Hannah full time in August of 2023 after freelancing with the program since 2021. She entered the yachting industry in 2018 after a successful career in the hotel hospitality world. She worked with Kimpton hotels as a part of the training and opening team throughout the United States, Caribbean and Europe.

Gillian has always had a passion for the culinary arts. Her degree in Art Studio and Design from the University of Maryland amplified her keen eye in plating. She continued her culinary education from IYT Superyacht Chef in South Africa along with a Ships Cook certificate, Food Safety and Master Court of Sommelier. Her culinary passion is evident in every dish she creates.


Chief Stew Keelia
Originally from a Kansas City suburb, Keelia grew up dancing, singing, and playing sports—an energetic, well-rounded foundation that shines through in her work onboard. From ballerina to track runner, jazz dancer to soccer player, she’s always thrived in dynamic environments that require discipline, connection, and creativity. After attending Johnson & Wales University, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport, Entertainment, and Event Management, and even spent time in Switzerland studying at a finishing school—experiences that laid the groundwork for a polished, service-focused hospitality career.

Keelia’s early professional path took her to Denver, where she spent nearly a decade, first in the tech startup world at OrthoFi, working her way up to Revenue Cycle Manager overseeing financial operations for 250+ orthodontic practices. But the call for change—fueled by pandemic reflections, a milestone birthday, and a craving for new experiences—led her to yachting in 2023.

She completed her STCW and quickly found her footing in the industry with daywork, a summer stewardess role at a private estate in Bar Harbor, and positions aboard Perfect Lady, Leverage, and now M/Y Hannah. She holds an ENG1, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification, IYT RIB Master & Small Powerboat licenses, and has completed Superyacht Hospitality & Interiors training.

As Chief Stew, Keelia brings warmth, vibrance, and a deep desire to connect with guests. Her greatest strength is her ability to make people feel comfortable—blending intuition and attention to detail to create a truly personalized guest experience. “Whether guests are after adventure, luxury, or total relaxation,” she says, “I want them to leave thinking, that was the best week of my life—already dreaming of their return.”

While she’s cruised the Bahamas so far, Keelia is no stranger to international adventure. Her favorite destinations include Thailand, Dubai, and Italy—each unforgettable for their rich culture and cuisine. Outside of yachting, she’s happiest exploring new places, enjoying live music with friends, playing tennis or pickleball, or planning the next themed get-together.

With financial freedom as her initial motivator, Keelia is excited to see where the industry leads and dreams of one day owning her own business. Until then, she’s soaking up every new experience with her signature motto:
“Everything always works out for us.”
Because, as she reminds her friends (and herself), “Even when things go off course, the outcome is often exactly what we needed—if not better.”

Deck/Stew Maggie
Maggie brings an energetic spirit and a deep-rooted love for the ocean to her role as Deck/Stew. Originally from a quiet and safe community that fostered adventure and outdoor exploration, she grew up swimming, skiing, and playing soccer—an active lifestyle that naturally evolved into a career on the water.

Before joining the yachting industry, Maggie built a solid foundation in hospitality, working as a server and catering assistant. She also served as an Assistant Manager and Lifeguard at an aquatic center, honing her skills in guest service, safety, and teamwork. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Rhetoric from the University of Pittsburgh and has completed her STCW, ENG1, Foundations of Mixology Certification, and Superyacht Interior Training.

Maggie has cruised the waters of Florida and the Bahamas and has traveled extensively beyond yachting. Her favorite destinations include Grand Cayman—where she was captivated by the island’s beauty and warm, welcoming culture—and Scotland, a place she describes as straight out of a storybook, filled with breathtaking landscapes and rich family heritage.

As a crew member, Maggie’s greatest asset is her ability to work harmoniously with others to ensure a seamless and elevated guest experience. She brings passion, positivity, and a deep appreciation for ocean life to each charter, aiming to share that love with every guest on board.

Her goal is to work hard, learn constantly, and find joy in the little things—building meaningful relationships and collecting memories along the way. When she’s not onboard, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, playing pickleball, swimming, or dreaming up her next adventure.

Maggie hopes each guest leaves with lifelong memories, saying: “I know not everybody gets this kind of experience twice. So I want them to be able to enjoy what they love, try something new, and most of all—relax and have fun.”

Her personal motto? “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”

Mate Matt
Matt joined the yachting industry at the beginning of 2022 working hard to quickly move up the ladder to his current role as First Mate on M/Y Hannah. His foundation of professionalism and high-quality service stems from his childhood experience as a caddy throughout the Chicagoland area.

After attending the University of Illinois, Matt continued his path in hospitality working in high-end restaurants and bars. Identifying yachting as the pinnacle of hospitality and a great way to translate his skills, Matt made the move to Florida and began his career.

Matt’s skill and confidence in all things water related lends to a calming yet exciting guest experience. He is also a certified PADI Advanced Diver. He is always one step ahead, anticipating the needs of our guests.