Beginning in the afternoon on Wednesday, March 6, Sustainability in Packaging US 2024 will kick-off with three pre-conference workshops followed by two exciting days of general sessions on March 7 - 8. Hear from representatives from across the supply chain, and extend your learnings by choosing a ticket will all three workshops included!
Meet the speakers from Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., The Recycling Partnership, TetraPak, Fibre Box Association (FBA), Can Manufacturers Institute, Landsberg Orora, Casper, Smithers, ERT, Lorax, CalRecycle, Huhtamaki, and more!
Add the three workshops for just $400! Decide which workshop to attend in person, and access presentations and videos from the other two after the event. Featuring experts from Starbucks, Steptoe & Johnson, P&G, Sonoco, Cruz Foam, EFI, Munchkin, ALPLA INC., Carton Council of North America, Tetra Pak, Interact Boulder, Carbon Better, Lifecycles, Zacros America, University of Michigan, ORBIS Corporation, Plastic Ingenuity, American Forest & Paper Association, The Aluminum Association, Plastics Industry Association, Strategic Materials, Mango Materials, Turn, erthos, RRS, and more!
Billy Rice leads ALPLA Inc.’s sustainability efforts across 16 plants in North America. With focus on reducing scope 1-3 emissions, his efforts align with the company’s global pledge to increase sustainable practices and influence customer decisions for the more conscious buyer. His implementation of strategy includes innovative operational processes, cultivating company culture while increasing value for stakeholders and advocating for honest change within the packaging industry. He previously led the strategy and implementation of sustainability programs in collaboration with key stakeholders for Pembina Pipeline Corporation and serves as an advisory board member for generating awareness and promoting equity and inclusion for indigenous communities.
Billy is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional and holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia along with Master’s degrees in Public Administration from the University of Georgia and Development Practice from Emory University.
Jason Pelz is Vice President of Sustainability for Tetra Pak in the United States, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean. Jason and his team work with a range of stakeholders across various geographies to advance Tetra Pak’s global sustainability ambitions, including growing recycling and collection of post-consumer cartons, and reducing climate impact across the value chain. Jason also serves as Vice President of Recycling Projects for Carton Council of North America, where he works with food and beverage brand owners, local municipalities and communities, and other third parties such as recyclers and paper mills to increase the availability of carton recycling in the U.S. and Canada.
Bio coming soon!
Joe Dages helps clients successfully navigate the complex US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory requirements that apply to food, food additives, and food contact materials. He advises companies on all aspects of the premarket review requirements and pathways to market for these materials, as well as post-market compliance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), labeling, marketing, risk, and litigation avoidance issues. In addition, he provides advice to clients seeking to establish the compliance of their products in other jurisdictions, including Canada, the European Union, and South America.
Tim is the sole director and founder of Lifecycles, a premium supplier of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and sustainability services, and owner of LCA software packaging tool, PIQET.
With over 25 years of experience in LCA, Tim is a pillar of the international Life Cycle community through his involvement with the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, ISO standards development committee for ISO14048 and the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation.
Tim has been instrumental in the development of data and leading-edge scientific support for supply chain sustainability tools. He has contributed to several books, being co-author of Assessment: Principles, Practice and Prospects (CSIRO Publishing) and Design + Environment: A Global Guide to Designing Greener Goods (Greenleaf Publishing Limited). He strives to make a more rational science-based approach to environmental decision-making through his consultancy work, training and tool development.
Bio coming soon!
Christian is a Research Specialist with the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan with master’s degrees in Sustainable Systems and Environmental Engineering. The Center for Sustainable Systems applies systems analysis techniques to develop models and accelerate high-impact solutions to sustainability challenges. Our research areas of expertise include life cycle assessment, sustainable supply chains, circular economy, impacts of emerging technologies, and the nexus of systems. Christian’s work focuses on measuring the environmental performance of reusable and single-use takeout containers across their entire life cycle and the design and planning of reusable container systems. He has completed analysis on an Ann Arbor, MI system and is working to assess a city-wide centralized system in Galveston, TX. This work expands on three decades of food system sustainability research including food packaging at the Center for Sustainable Systems. The current research is one of three plastics waste reduction projects through the Morgan Stanley Plastics Waste Reduction Research and Fellowship program established at the Center.
I'm a senior project manager deeply knowledgeable and passionate on balancing environmental management with business strategy.
I've worked in industry and traveled globally leading corporate environmental management programs and providing hands-on technical expertise on emerging environmental issues.
I have the ability to anticipate environmental risk and minimize the impact through creative problem solving built upon a philosophy of practical, cost effective programs and enlightened environmentalism focused on communication, education, awareness, and information sharing.
Dr Vinay Kumar has over 10 years of experience in research, development, and innovation in the field of cellulose-based films and coatings. He joined VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in 2018 as a Research Scientist and is currently a Research Team Leader and Project Manager (IPMA-C) in the Biomaterials Processing and Products research area. He has an MSc (Tech) and DSc (Tech) in Paper Coating & Converting from Åbo Akademi in Finland. His BTech is in Pulp & Paper Technology from IIT Roorkee in India.
Kerry Sanders is the VP Market Development for EFI and focuses on driving awareness and adoption of EFI digital printing solutions for corrugated packaging in the eCommerce customer segment. Kerry's unique perspectives are informed by his executive experience in business development, operations, and marketing for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to joining EFI, Kerry served as Executive Vice President, Global Business Development at Craft Worldwide, an Interpublic Group (IPG) agency. Prior to Craft, Kerry held key leadership roles in sales and marketing at HP and Xerox, focusing on global new product introductions for digital transformations.
Californian designer Julia Marsh is the CEO and co-founder of Sway, a venture-backed materials company which produces compostable packaging made from seaweed. Julia's work is inspired by a lifelong affection for the ocean, and the belief that designers must take part in solving the planet’s greatest challenges. Sway is on a mission to replenish the planet by supporting healthy ocean ecosystems, eliminating plastic waste, and creating a more inclusive climate movement.
Nuha is on a mission to build a new standard for sustainable materials that puts our earth first. She founded erthos while still completing her Business & Environmental Economics degree at the University of Toronto (Rotman). When her peers headed off to full-time jobs after graduation, she decided to go full-speed with erthos, scaling the company to a team of 20, raising over $11M UA dollars, and launching global manufacturing pilots to tackle the issue worldwide. As an entrepreneur in an emerging technology space, Nuha plays an active role in supporting the development of the diverse innovation ecosystem in Canada and Globally. From serving as a board member of National sustainability organizations and accelerators like Canada Plastics Pact and Enactus Canada to mentoring young entrepreneurs and women in STEM, she is dedicated to supporting next-generation leaders who are collectively working together to positively impact this planet. Nuha's work in building erthos has been recognized globally, and the rapid expansion of erthos as one of Canada's fastest-growing cleantech companies. She was recently awarded by Bay Street Bull 30x30 and is on this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
John Felts is the co-founder and CEO of Cruz Foam, which produces bio-benign foam and eco-friendly alternative packaging solutions that power key industry leaders to be the catalyst for a cleaner environment. In this conversation with Stanford adjunct lecturer Toby Corey, Felts shares how his engineering studies and career led him to launching a startup, and offers advice for new tech entrepreneurs learning how to pitch to investors and build scalable solutions.
Meghan leads Business Development for Ecovative's MycoComposite™ platform, primarily focused on overseeing the Mushroom® Packaging custom design process, onboarding new customers, and supporting Ecovative's growing network of MycoComposite™ licensees. Meghan has a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a dual B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Design, Innovation & Society from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has been a fan of the company for over a decade since first learning about Ecovative's founders and their story from her late mentor and early Ecovative champion, Burt Swersey. Meghan was thrilled for the opportunity to join the Ecovative team in late 2019 and brings business development experience from local technology company, Vital Vio. She began her career in a fluid system design role at GE Power directly following her M.S. focused on additive manufacturing of composites. Meghan has a deep passion for applying her energy to opportunities that make an impact and loves working with small and agile teams. Her greatest passions outside of the office are spending time with her family and traveling.
Ryan Everton has a diverse work experience. In 2012, they became the Chief Executive Officer of Turn (formerly Globelet), where their role involves driving the growth of the company and overseeing all high-level aspects of the business. In 2011, they became a Public Speaker & Podcast Presenter for Good Business, where they speak regularly on the future of plastics at colleges, conferences, and corporate offices. In 2010, they co-founded Just Pies Ltd, where they started a pie cart twice a week serving students at night. Ryan also employed two others to oversee the running and service of the cart.
Molly’s love for the environment and her determination to rid the world of polluting plastics dates all the way back to elementary school, where an exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium devoted to the challenges of clam-shell packaging set off a life-long quest. Molly studied Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University before moving back to California to pursue her Ph.D. from Stanford University. While at Stanford, she joined a project funded through the Stanford Woods Institute and headed by Professors Sarah Billington and Craig Criddle to seek wood replacements within the construction industry. This led her to study the anaerobic biodegradation of biocomposites, including PHA-based materials. Molly has contributed to multiple patents and publications in the bioplastics and biocomposites industry.
Bio coming soon
Ravish Majithia leads Magnomer as founder & CEO. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Texas A&M University. Ravish is also a Babson Fellow, Sorenson Award Recipient and MBA from Babson College. Magnomer is a winner of Materials Research Society’s Innovation Award & MassChallenge Gold.
Bineke Posthumus works as a Director Business Development at the Renewable Polymers department of Avantium. In this function, she works on the commercialization of Avantium’s innovative 100% plant-based FDCA and PEF technology. Bineke Posthumus obtained her Master of Science degree in Strategic Management from the London School of Economics in 2007. Before Avantium, she worked at TNO, one of Europe’s largest research institutes, for approximately 10 years. There, she worked at the Strategic Analysis & Policy department, where she had a specific focus on bringing new technology to market in the areas of the circular economy and the energy transition.
I’ve been in this industry for 2 and ½ decades! And have been focused on sustainable packaging and helping companies be more sustainable with their packaging. Working in a Weyerhaeuser corrugated production facility to pay my way through college helped me understand how corrugated is made and how it can be more efficient and sustainable. I’m married to an amazing supportive wife and we are so happy to have two wonderful kids. As the host of Sustainable Packaging Podcast I’ve learned so much about new sustainable products that are coming out to the market soon and I’ve seen how urgent this issue of change is for our environment. Join us in this movement towards sustainable packaging.
Susan Cornish is Principal Consultant at Insight + Action, a company she founded in 2017. Susan is a life-long researcher and strategist, always interested in digging deeper to understand the reasons why, and determining how changes can be made.
At Insight + Action, Susan helps clients define issues and research questions. She leads client engagements and manages all aspects of projects from research design and data collection, through analysis, reporting, and other deliverables.
Prior to Insight + Action, Susan was a Vice President at several global Consumer Insights firms. Here she worked with brand owners in Marketing, contributing to product and packaging development decisions. On the supplier side, Susan led research teams, developed more focused reporting methods, and worked with clients and IT to create client portals and automated reporting.
Susan has in-depth knowledge of packaging sustainability and the recycling industry, plus expertise in all aspects of product and packaging innovation research. Susan has worked with global clients in many sectors including packaging, consumer packaged goods, hospitality and foodservice, waste management/recycling and recycling non-profits.
Susan holds an Honors BA, 1st Class, from Simon Fraser University where she majored in Geography and Economics. She has an MSc and PhD from the University of Toronto where her dissertation research focused on product innovation.
Benjamin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and an M.B.A from the University of Akron. In his current role, Benjamin leads the strategic consulting division of Smithers Information in North America. This division works with clients to gather a deep understanding of their business goals, and to develop in-depth research programs to provide visibility into markets and niches. This process is designed to dig deep into a wide variety of industries and topics, gather insights, and provide an unbiased view of the key challenges faced by our clients. These efforts allow our clients to evaluate their strategic plans and make decisions based upon credible data and analysis, supported by robust research conclusions and recommendations.
As Ocean Ambassador of the Netherlands, Willemijn Peeters is an established international speaker on circular plastics. Being highly committed to preventing plastics from ending up in our environment, Willemijn founded Searious Business, a social enterprise that makes the difference in the world of plastics. She works together with highly motivated international brand owners to close the plastic loop in 3 impact sectors: packaging, furniture, consumer electronics. Creating innovative, economically advantageous alternatives at the source, Searious Business strategically assesses internal plastic use, accelerates circular product & business innovation, and reduces external impacts on ocean ecosystems.
Willemijn has been awarded with several titles:
-Ocean Ambassador of the Netherlands;
-Green Solutions partner of the European Commission;
-Leader in Sustainable Top 100 in the Netherlands;
-Member of Dutch circular economy transition team;
-Winner Plastic Recycling Europe Award 2018;
-Winner National Energy Globe Award 2018;
- Developer of fully recyclable drink pouch
-Co-developer of Oceans and Plastics Platform, IUCN;
-Initiator of circular product line: 276pieces.com;
-Developer of Design Sofa from >95% recycled plastics (mainly packaging materials.)
www.seariousbusiness.com
Bio coming soon!
Highly successful and cross functionally trained, consumer goods CEO and Board member with entrepreneurial experience from start ups to large corporations. Specializing in social responsibility, sustainability, change management and innovation where emphasis on leadership, new business, marketing and manufacturing knowledge are needed. Please reach out to me at msands@fenwayllc.com.
Sanna holds a master’s in mechanical engineering and has a background in business and market development. With a passion for sustainable solutions, she leads the commercial team that helps global clients implement PulPac’s patented technology for dry forming of cellulose. Dry Molded Fiber is a groundbreaking technology that makes fiber-based products a competitive and viable alternative to single use plastic. PulPac is the technology owner and world leader of Dry Molded Fiber. The vision is to make impact at scale in creating a better future for people and planet by enabling the packaging industry to replace single-use plastics with affordable and truly sustainable fiber-based product.
Scott Breen is vice president of sustainability at the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). CMI represents U.S. metal can manufacturers and their suppliers. His responsibilities include promoting the can as a sustainable/circular package, advocating for federal and state legislation and regulation that reflect the can’s sustainability advantages, and leading the industry’s efforts to build upon the can industry’s leading recycling rates.
Scott’s roles prior to CMI were associate manager of the Sustainability and Circular Economy Program at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and attorney-adviser at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Along with his position at CMI, Scott also explores various aspects of sustainability as creator and co-host of the podcast Sustainability Defined. Sustainability Defined has monthly episodes that reach thousands of listeners across more than 100 countries and all 50 states.
Bio coming soon!
Michelle co-founded Lorax Compliance in 2014 in order to help companies that are obligated under Extended Producer Responsibility and Product Stewardship legislation around the world. With 15 years of experience working in this sector, her focus is to ensure clients find the process of EPR and Stewardship reporting as simple as possible, despite the complexities placed on businesses by legislation. As COO, her role covers the management and delivery of several teams, including Accounts, Compliance, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources.
Prior to being appointed director by Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2020, Ms. Machi Wagoner served as Deputy Legislative Secretary in the Office of the Governor beginning in 2019.
Before that she worked as the Chief Consultant for the California State Senate Committee on Environmental Quality from 2009 to 2018, where she advised state senators on issues related to environmental protection, including waste reduction, environmental justice, pollution prevention, and hazardous waste.
Ms. Machi Wagoner’s experience also includes time as Research Director at the University of Illinois, Chicago School of Public Health and an Advisor at the Department of Environment for the City of Chicago in 2008. Other public service includes consulting for the California State Senate Committee on Environmental Quality from 2007 to 2008 and for the California State Senate Committee on Health from 2004 to 2007, working as Director of Legislative Affairs at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 2002 to 2004, acting as a consultant for the California State Senate Committee on Elections and Reapportionment from 2000 to 2002, and as Deputy Legislative Secretary for Governor Gray Davis from 1999 to 2000.
Ms. Machi Wagoner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy with a minor in history from the University of San Francisco.
Nicole is a senior manager in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) practice.
Nicole is currently working with the EY Sustainability Services team in Atlanta leading client engagements on environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy; decarbonization pathways; and circular economy.
Nicole has over 16 years of experience in supporting clients across the hospitality, retail and consumer products sectors through ESG-focused engagements.
Prior to joining EY US, Nicole worked at a major beverage company as Sustainability Director, where she led sustainable packaging and recovery.
Nicole has a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida.
Bio coming soon
Rachel Kenyon is the Senior Vice President of the Fibre Box Association (FBA), a non-profit trade association representing North American manufacturers of corrugated packaging. Rachel’s primary responsibilities include the association’s management, communications, marketing, and member relations.
Rachel joined the Fibre Box Association in 2008 as FBA’s Director of Member and Industry Relations and began serving as Vice President in 2011. She was promoted to Senior Vice President in December 2019. Prior to joining FBA, Ms. Kenyon was the Vice President of Marketing and Product Development and a member of the business management team for Weyerhaeuser’s Containerboard Packaging and Recycling Business. During her nearly ten years with Weyerhaeuser, she held several positions in marketing and management.
Rachel was the first director of the Corrugated Packaging Council, the precursor to the Corrugated Packaging Alliance, and was active in several industry committees during her time at Weyerhaeuser. Ms. Kenyon is a former board member of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation.
Rachel is a proud Spartan graduate of Michigan State University.
Nick is CAW's Director of Advocacy and has been with the organization since 2007.
In that time, Nick has led CAW’s team of advocates in campaigns to pass groundbreaking laws that have positioned California as a global leader in reducing and recovering waste. By building strong coalitions, he has helped enact policies to reduce the impacts of climate change, recover organic wastes, reduce plastic pollution, and develop sustainable markets for recyclable materials. Nick also engages in policy development and research, representing CAW on a variety of boards, commissions, taskforces, and coalitions.
Nick completed his Bachelors of Science in Environmental Biology and Management, with minors in Political Science and Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning, at the University of California, Davis. Before joining CAW, he interned at the Coalition for Clean Air and California State Parks and worked on native habitat restoration and youth leadership development through several positions at the Golden Gate National Parks.
When he is not talking trash, Nick can usually be found at an independent coffee shop or out exploring Northern California’s public lands with his wife Karen, son Abram, and dog Zelda.
Bio coming soon!
