DULUTH, Minn. — The Woman Today and the Duluth News Tribune recognized Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, with the 2025 Rosie Leadership Award at a ceremony last night celebrating the 8th Annual Rosie Awards.
Presented annually to a woman who demonstrates outstanding leadership by challenging, motivating and inspiring others in their field of endeavor, the Rosie Leadership Award is one of six award categories saluting women for outstanding contributions to the Northland community. A committee of past Rosie winners and The Woman Today staff members choose award recipients from a pool of nominees.
“I’m honored to be recognized among such a great group of women doing good things in our community,” said DeLuca. “The Rosie Awards celebrate positive contributions, and it’s flattering to even be nominated, let alone selected. I’m grateful for the honor and also for the opportunities I’ve been afforded since moving with my family to the Twin Ports.”
DeLuca first joined the Port Authority as its government and environmental affairs director in 2014. Four years later, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners appointed her to the executive director role, making her the first woman to serve in that capacity. During her time at the helm, DeLuca has guided the Port Authority team and marshalled resources to initiate more than $35 million in port-related capital projects, greatly increasing freight transport capacity and efficiency in the Port of Duluth-Superior. She has also served as a mentor and trusted advisor in the community, sought especially for her perspective on matters of policy, economic development, industry and the environment.
Providing leadership beyond her home port, DeLuca shares her knack for effective policy ideation, synthesis and advocacy with several industry groups. She has served as chairperson of the Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee, president of the Minnesota Ports Association and vice president of the American Great Lakes Ports Association. In addition, she serves on the board of directors for the American Association of Port Authorities, the Chamber of Marine Commerce and Green Marine International. In 2021, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies presented DeLuca with its Distinguished Service Award.
A former USA Cycling National Team member, DeLuca’s outside-the-office pursuits include biking, running and Nordic skiing, in addition to reading and spending time with family and friends.
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More than 700 vessels and 30 million short tons of cargo move through the Port of Duluth-Superior each year, making it the Great Lakes’ largest tonnage port and one of the nation’s top 20. The port supports more than 7,000 jobs and contributes $1.3 billion in business revenue to the regional economy. Learn more at DuluthPort.com.