On the Consumer Health team at Environmental Defense Fund, Cassie focuses on creating a safer and more sustainable marketplace by driving down toxic chemicals in everyday products and food. She works with leading companies to develop and adopt solutions to eliminate toxic chemicals in their supply chain, use verified safer alternatives, and drive a more circular future. Prior to joining Environmental Defense Fund, Cassie worked in health sciences consulting, a state health department, and in environmental toxicology research. Cassie has a Master of Public Health degree in environmental health and is an expert in toxicology, exposure science, epidemiology and risk assessment.
Bio coming soon!
Melissa Seburg is a North American Marketing Specialist with H.B. Fuller working with our Packaging Makers, ACS and Envelope businesses. She is a Business Development and Marketing professional with 19 years of experience. Melissa is focused on strategic planning, product portfolio & innovation management that bring forth new product solutions for a more sustainable, circular future in packaging.
Carlos graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. He worked in industry before moving to the United Kingdom, to do his Ph.D at the University of Cambridge. During his doctoral research and subsequently as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, he developed the basis of the Enval process to recycle plastic aluminium laminate pouches, sachets, tubes, etc.
As a result, Carlos founded Enval where he is CEO. The Company now has a commercial plant recycling laminates in the UK and is in the process of installing further units in other locations. Enval has also started to develop recycling processes for other materials, creating a link between the packaging world and the waste handling sector.
Brent has over 24 years of retail experience in print, packaging, branding, sourcing and supplier management with private brand and branded programs at Target, Best Buy, Flagstone Foods and Good Natured Products. He is currently a Director of Packaging, Engineering, Design and Innovation at Billerudkorsnas, a Swedish based paper company that challenges conventional packaging for a sustainable future.
Brent has been involved and worked on high profile programs at Target such as Michael Graves, Philippe Starck and Robert Abbey. He helped lay the foundation of the Target Packaging Department and many of the processes and supplier relationships that exist to this present day. At Best Buy, he was instrumental in creating processes and forming relationships with strategic partners that resulted in astronomical growth of their private brand portfolio, which includes Insignia, Dynex and Rocketfish. While at Best Buy, he effectively launched and implemented sustainable packaging initiatives that removed 100’s of tons of material and plastics from packaging (resulting in millions of dollars in cost reductions), implemented recyclable identification programs for packaged materials and introduced innovative recycled-based content and bio-based packaging solutions.
He is enthusiastic about opportunities to create sustainable impacts to our world by lessening the material impacts of consumerism and promoting recycling solutions
Ashley Elzinga is director of sustainability and outreach for the Foodservice Packaging Institute, the trade association for the North American foodservice packaging industry. At FPI, work primarily focuses around communications, outreach and FPI’s recovery efforts.
Prior to joining the association, Elzinga has worked in different positions within the sustainability and environmental fields. Her most recent position was with Dart Container Corp. where she was the social responsibility and sustainability specialist. Before that position, she acted as the company’s recycling and community outreach specialist.
Elzinga holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University with a minor in Environmental Studies. When not going on adventures with their corgi, Dutch, Ashley and her husband enjoy working toward their goal to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums — 10 down, 20 still to go.
In September 2020, Carolyn Hoskinson joined EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) as the Director. ORCR promotes the conservation of resources, ensuring the proper management of waste, preventing harmful exposures, and overseeing the cleanup of land for productive use. ORCR’s portfolio includes: reducing waste, recycling, beneficial reuse of wastes, proper municipal solid waste and hazardous management and disposal, hazardous waste cleanup, international waste import and export, and global issues such as marine litter and plastics.
Carolyn has nearly 30 years of experience in EPA programs. Immediately prior to coming to ORCR, Carolyn was the Director of EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) for 11 years, and before that she served in several other positions at EPA. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, Law, Economics and Government from The American University in Washington, DC.
Valerie Langer has been engaged in forest conservation initiatives for over 30 years. She works with non-profit, Canopy (www.canopyplanet.org) to accelerate globally availability of Next Generation alternatives to tree fibre pulp for manufacturing paper, packaging and Man Made Cellulosic Fibres. Valerie’s focus is on large scale forest conservation by leveraging markets, investments and innovation. She was on Canopy’s founding Steering Committee, is a Donella Meadows Fellow and, along with colleagues who helped craft the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements, was a recipient of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge Award.
Xavier Bonamour, Application Manager at Bobst has 21 years experience in the flexible packaging industry.
Raphaël Bardet is Head of the Product Management and R&D at Ahlstrom, one of the world's leading players in sustainable and innovative fiber solutions.
Amongst his current responsibilities is the business management and development of fiber-based solutions dedicated to sustainable food packaging applications used in everyday life. He mainly focuses on solutions contributing to replace non-renewable materials. For instance, he was recently involved in product launch such as new paper straws materials or recyclable and compostable materials for baking molds.
Raphaël has a MSc degree in Papermaking and a PhD in Biobased Nanomaterials from Grenoble Institute of Technology in France. He has more than 10 years of experience in the field of sustainable solutions, with expertise both in the business and technical fields, in particular in product development and innovation.
Raphaël is convinced that innovation in fiber-based solutions will help to better protect the planet and contribute to a better tomorrow for future generations.
David Nelson is the Corporate Innovation Director of Eastman's Biopolymers platform. He is an experienced entrepreneur who has successfully led start-ups, consulted new ventures and executed strategic growth projects for fortune 500 companies. He holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing and an MBA in Finance & Entrepreneurship.
Marika Knorr has been in charge of Sustainability and Communication at CCL Label since April 2020 and is dedicated to grow the “Sustainable Product Family” while driving CCL’s Sustainability roadmap. Marika holds a Master‘s Degree in Communication from Cologne University and Arizona State University and started her career as a newspaper and magazine writer before moving into Corporate Communications at international companies including TÜV Rheinland, LANXESS AG and Constantia Flexibles. She has held varied and senior positions in marketing and communications and has extensive experience focusing on sustainability and communication. Marika is based in Cologne, Germany.
Felipe E. Victoria is the Senior Manager for International Plastics Policy. Felipe joined the Plastics Policy and Finance team at Ocean Conservancy after serving at the United Nations in New York for several years. Here, he represented Spain’s regional Basque interests on the UN Economic and Social Chamber (ECOSOC), the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and other UN System related organizations and fora. In particular, he led the engagement and coordination of this regional government of Spain with the national government on areas of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as social, humanitarian, and women´s issues.
Felipe has a Spanish Law degree by the Complutense University of Madrid, a master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations by the Spanish Diplomatic School, and a specialized Diploma in EU Law and Institutions by the same school. As well, he holds a master’s degree in International Trade and Business Management by a joint program of the Menendez Pelayo International University of Spain and the Spanish Ministry of Economy.
Besides Spain and his student time in Brussels and Geneva, he has lived and worked in Colombia where he has family ties, and has been a lecturer at the Colombian War College. Prior to living in New York City, he worked at the Spanish Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, coinciding with the Arab Spring uprisings.
Dr. Daniel Daggett has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin, where he received a fellowship from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Berman and Blieir Award for his research. Dr. Daggett started his career as a toxicologist with the Wisconsin Department of Health, where he was responsible for developing environmental regulations, conducting risk assessments, and protecting public health. Currently, he is the Vice President of Sustainability at Diversey where he is responsible developing and implementing sustainability strategies across the business. Over his 25+ year career, Dr. Daggett has published widely and is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics such as sustainability, indoor air quality, toxicology, life cycle assessment, carbon footprint, and product safety.
Matt Swihart is the founder and brewmaster of Double Mountain Brewery and Cidery in Hood River, Oregon. He reintroduced reusable beer bottles to Oregon in 2012 and partnered with the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative in 2017 to involve multiple breweries and a statewide collection system. Matt has a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University and is a small orchardist growing apples for his cidery.
John Hewitt is Vice President, Packaging Sustainability at the Consumer Brands Association. Hewitt leads the packaging sustainability efforts on behalf of the CPG industry, bringing extensive knowledge of the recycling system and years of state and federal policy experience.
With a combination of association, political and agency experience, Hewitt has worked on many successful ballot initiatives, legislative and regulatory measures. In addition to his professional experience, he has sat on several non-profit boards and was an elected school board member for nearly 12 years.
Hewitt joined the CBA from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), where he served as both special counsel to the secretary and as the agency’s general counsel. At the department, Hewitt was responsible for complex litigation and regulatory matters as well as represented the department on interagency initiatives, such as the governor’s drought task force and international climate change program.
A native of Northern California, Hewitt graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and a minor in water science. Hewitt also holds a juris doctor from the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law and is admitted to practice law by the California Bar as well as the United States Supreme Court. He lives in Pleasant Grove, California, and enjoys cooking family meals using his favorite CPG products — especially hot sauce.
Bio coming soon!
Kate Bezar is the co-founder of the Better Packaging Co., a New Zealand-based company which has become, in just three years of operation, the premiere supplier of sustainable packaging for eCommerce. As a result they have revolutionised the market with their innovative, sustainable packaging solutions founded on Circular Economy principles and the premise that ‘waste is a design flaw’.
Brandon was born into the world of packaging and believes that collaboration and teamwork is vital to lasting progress. He is the President of Pacific Packaging Components, his family’s 52-year-old packaging business that is based in Southern California. He serves as the Sustainable Packaging Expert for Credo’s Clean Beauty Council and is the producer and host of the Packaging Brother’s Podcast. After almost 20 years since he graduated college, Brandon’s love of learning brought him back to school and is finishing up a Masters in Packaging Value Chain from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He was President of the Southern California chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) a group that focuses on networking and connecting with other packaging professionals. When he is not helping solve packaging problems, Brandon enjoys spending time with his family, training for triathlons, traveling, coaching soccer, telling dad-jokes, and listening to audiobooks.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Erin works to drive positive change across industries by leading WWF’s packaging and material science program. Key to conservation is the overall protection of the planet’s natural resources, and packaging plays a vital role in that.
Through her efforts, she works with business and industry to help them make informed, sustainable material choices for their products and packaging. Her work focuses on the major commodities that go into packaging, which come in many different forms and materials, and how to integrate sustainability into the decisions and trade-offs that must be evaluated across a product’s lifecycle.
Erin works with companies to strategically address their packaging work streams by focusing on developing transparency in the supply chain for the major packaging materials and pursuing strategies that reduce the environmental impact of these materials through responsible sourcing.
Prior to joining WWF, Erin worked at Hewlett Packard for 10 years as a packaging engineer responsible for the design and implementation of laser jet printer and media packaging. Her expertise is in material science, design innovation, procurement, manufacturing, logistical and point of purchase aspects of packaging.
Ian Montgomery is the Founder and Creative Director of Guacamole Airplane, a San Francisco-based design agency focused on sustainable packaging. GA has worked for organizations including Nike, Dell, and Whole Foods on a range of structural packaging and sustainability strategy projects. Ian did his undergraduate coursework in Environmental Science at Stanford and masters work in Packaging Design at Pratt, where he received funding from the National Science Foundation to build a series of experimental recycling machines.
Brant Wunderlich is the caps and closures market manager at NOVA Chemicals. In his role, Brant is responsible for leading development and execution of market strategy in this segment to support growth and innovation across the closures industry. Previously Brant spent several years as a caps and closures technical service specialist at NOVA Chemicals where he worked in close collaboration with customers to qualify new resins, optimize closure molding, and develop new applications. Prior to joining NOVA Chemicals in 2016, Wunderlich worked in the consulting industry on fluid and heat transfer simulations. Wunderlich holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo where he graduated with the prestigious Academic Achievement Award from the Sandford Fleming Foundation. A 2021 Plastics News Rising Star, Wunderlich is active in the beverage and packaging industry and currently chairs the membership committee for AMERIPEN. Brant has also served as a technical lead on the ISBT Canada organizing committee and was a member of the ISBT “Correlation of CO2 Methods” committee. Brant lives and works in the Vancouver, British Columbia area and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including backpacking and scuba diving.
Liz Logue became EFI’s VP of Inkjet Customer/Brand Engagement and Strategy in 2019, a new role focused on helping EFI’s digital corrugated customers engage with brands. Logue’s work helps drive market awareness about digital printing and value it brings to the consumers. She also researches and develops strategies to extend EFI’s inkjet technology portfolio into additional new markets that can benefit from the and continuing analog to digital transformation in print manufacturing.
Prior to taking her current role, Logue was Vice president of Corporate Business Development, and Ink Jet strategy at EFI. In that position, she was responsible for planning, market evaluation and execution behind strategic M&A and new market development activity. Her work has included directing or assisting in EFI’s strategic moves into ceramics, textiles and corrugated packaging, working with engineering, ink and software teams to implement the correct solutions for target markets.
Prior to joining EFI in 2008, Logue worked for 10 years in various roles at IT Strategies, a specialized strategic consultancy company focused on the digital print industry. In her roles she advised hardware, ink and software vendors on corporate, product and M&A strategy. She also managed research initiatives, maintained industry relationships and kept abreast of the latest technology developments.
With more than a decade of experience with plastics, recycling, and materials management, Emily brings her skills of stakeholder engagement, industry expertise, and passion for reducing climate change to the U.S. Plastics Pact. The U.S. Plastics Pact is a solutions driven consortium with more than 100 diverse businesses and organizations across the plastics value chain working to rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastics, to create a path toward a circular economy for plastic in the United States. Through previous work with the research and consulting company MORE Recycling and the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, Emily built incredible knowledge and value chain connections that support her work today as Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact.
Evan Abel is a consumer-focused innovator with over 15 years' experience building novel products, services, and business models. He currently leads service design and sustainability at The Rounds, a modern-day milkman model for zero-waste delivery of household essentials. Previously, Evan led circular economy initiatives at Walmart, including Reuse and Beyond the Bag. He joined Walmart in 2018, as part of an acquisition to develop the InHome Delivery service. Evan co-founded Frank, a peer-to-peer money lending platform grounded in behavioral economics principles. He also co-founded Friends of Rockaway, a disaster-relief nonprofit after Superstorm Sandy. Additionally, Evan teaches a product design and development course as an adjunct professor at NYU's Tandon School of Engineering. Evan is an avid bicycle-commuter, novice surfer, and proud Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Master Composter.
Bio coming soon!
Brad Austin is the Director of Operations for Marquette County Solid Waste/Recycle 906. For the past 20 years, he has served in numerous leadership roles within the organization. Recently, Brad and his team facilitated the construction of single stream MRF in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He leads a regional effort to increase recycling access, participation, and education in rural areas of the state. He is a Michigan Recycling Coalition board member and serves a Regional Outreach Director for Upper Michigan.
Biography Coming Soon
Doug Gatlin is CEO of Green Seal, a global nonprofit organization and leading ecolabel dedicated to transforming the economy for a healthier, greener world.
A nationally recognized expert in the design, development and deployment of voluntary market transformation programs, Doug formerly held senior leadership positions with both the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC's) LEED Program and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR Program. During his tenure at USGBC, he led the development of standards for existing buildings, schools, and neighborhoods; and later her ran building certification and personnel credentialing through USGBC’s sister organization, GBCI. Doug is experienced in ANSI/ISO standards development, conformity assessment and personnel certification requirements.
Doug holds a B.S. in Political Science from Duke University and an M.S. in Energy and Environmental Policy from Georgetown University.
Dan Felton is Executive Director of AMERIPEN – the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment. He is a well-known policy and trade association leader who has worked within the bottled water, credit card, healthcare and information management industries. He is particularly passionate about environmental, sustainability and packaging issues and has engaged extensively in those areas at the state and federal levels. He has chaired committees and led task forces for several national trade associations and has served on the board of the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) where he is a graduate of the their nationally recognized professional certificate programs. A former professional actor and musician, he has run the finances and served on the board of a nationally recognized theatre education non-profit. He has also been involved with the Commission on Presidential Debates since 2000 in support of their quad-annual presidential and vice presidential debates. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, Dan lives in the Washington DC area.
Albert Douer is the Chairman & Co-CEO of UBQ Materials. A veteran of the materials sector for over 40 years, Albert uses deep industry knowledge and proven expertise in corporate global expansion to maximize UBQ Materials’ impact as a world-changing company.
James leads insight and innovation for Cambridge Design Partnership across major CPG food and drink clients, with responsibility for ‘joining up the dots’ between consumer needs and breakthrough packaging innovation. James helps clients tackle their biggest challenges, with a resolute passion for improving brands and businesses, by overcoming the barriers and unlocking opportunities to move toward a sustainable circular economy.
James has over 25 years of experience in the innovation and design industry, working for leaders in brand consulting and pack design, such as Landor Associates and Design Bridge prior to CDP.
Lynn Dyer is Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer at Pactiv Evergreen, the leading manufacturer of fresh food and beverage packaging in North America. In her current role, she directs the company’s sustainability and government relations initiatives and serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including AMERIPEN, the Biodegradable Products Institute and the Foundation for Plastic Recycling.
Ms. Dyer brings 25 years of experience to the field of foodservice packaging. She spent 21 years with the Foodservice Packaging Institute, where she advocated for the interests of the foodservice packaging industry in North America. Prior to joining FPI in 1998, she worked with the European Food Service & Packaging Association (now 360° Foodservice) in Brussels, Belgium.
Ms. Dyer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond.
Bio coming soon!
I am a packaging engineer with over 10 years of experience developing product packaging with a passion for learning and improving processes. Areas of expertise include package design and qualification, leading large scale packaging projects across multiple company functions, cost savings initiatives, development of continuous improvement methods, building and maintaining supplier capability and relationships, as well as creation of training modules, skill building and people development. My knowledge of packaging materials includes corrugate, cartonboard, plastics, and films across primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. I am interested in new and emerging packaging technologies, skills and methods.
Michael Pratt currently holds the role of Senior Sustainability Specialist at Sonoco Products Company, a global packaging solutions leader, committed to improving the lives of customers, teammates, and communities. In this role, Michael has primary responsibility for supporting Sustainability efforts for all of Sonoco’s North American divisions including consumer, industrial, and protective packaging, and also helps advise on industry trends.
How Lau is passionate about innovation for large scale transformation initiatives that simultaneously integrate social, environmental business and infrastructural factors, seeking for a better future for both the planet and humanity.
He has 20+ years of experience in Innovation, Business Strategy, Business Development, New Product Development, Sustainability, Manufacturing and Supply Chain. I have led critical and high visibility projects in personal and home care food and beverage (Confections - Chocolate, Chobani, General Mills), oil & gas (British Petroleum), and construction industries (Various in U.S., Mexico and Venezuela); from ideation to commercialization, including negotiations and onboarding of suppliers, contract manufacturers and equipment manufacturers.
His educational background includes an MBA training from Bason College; a MS degree in Technology Management from University of Wisconsin-Stout and Civil Engineering degree from Universidad Metropolitana (Caracas, Venezuela); and has received professional certifications from Stanford University in Advanced Project Management and from University of Wisconsin-Stout in Six Sigma Green Belt.
He is true believer of collaboration, the good intentions for humanity and environment, and the importance of design and creativity to make brilliant things happen, empower communities, and drive a more equitable green future for all of us.
Annika Greve is the Sr. Director Business Development, Global for Loop, TerraCycle’s circular reuse platform that launched in 2019. TerraCycle is known for Eliminating the Idea of Waste and Loop enables consumers to purchase products in reusable packaging.
Mary Jo (MJ) Werlein is the Senior Sustainability Manager for Packaging at Adept Group, the leading specialists in staffing, consulting, sustainability, and value optimization. She manages the company’s sustainability platform, providing expertise on sustainable packaging design, materials, LCAs and updates on packaging regulations around the globe.
MJ has more than 25 years’ experience driving sustainable packaging projects for Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft, 3M and others. She’s an expert in the design, development, and execution of sustainable packaging initiatives for brands in the CPG and food & beverage industries.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Package Engineering from Michigan State University and is a certified PMP from PMI and CPLP from ISTA.
Head of Sustainable Business Solutions, Mondi
20 years’ experience in Paper & Packaging serving Industrial and FMCG Brands with paper-based solutions. Point of contact in Mondi for collaboration with Retailers on achieving Sustainability goals of Replace, Reduce, Recycle packaging materials with sustainable concepts developed and promoted in Mondi EcoSolutions initiative.
Bio coming soon!
Through providing design leadership for Packaging Innovations for MolsonCoors, Charles has influenced all aspects of frontend development to insure successful innovations across the portfolio. Charles has also developed the first working academic relationship with MIAD as well as Notre Dame’s Mendozza College of Business for Packaging Innovation. Currently, he is the primary contributor for the Packaging Innovation Americas Strategy for MolsonCoors; as well as continuously improving “Ways of Working” across supply chain and commercial teams. He is also the Packaging Tech Enabler Program leader developing new structures and novel materials that drive purchase intent. Prior to joining MolsonCoors, Charles was an employee of Graphic Packaging International facilitating Packaging Innovation development for external customers such as Kraft, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Kirin and Anheuser-Busch. He has also commissioned and completed the construction of two innovation centers with the first one being the Global Innovation Center at GPI in Atlanta, GA and The Flying Hippo at MolsonCoors in Milwaukee, WI. Charles earned a Bachelor of Industrial Design degree from Pratt Institute as well as an Executive Masters of Business from Georgia State University. His experience of human factors and design strategy started under the guidance of Futurist Moni Wolf during his time at Motorola. Charles currently has over 29 utility patents (applied or issued) both on a national and global level.
Patrick Keenan is responsible for Packaging R&D/Engineering for Annie’s Brand at General Mills
Annie's, a leading Organic consumer Brand has a mission is to cultivate a healthier and happier world by spreading goodness through nourishing foods, honest words and conduct that is considerate and forever kind to the planet.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Charles David is TC Transcontinental’s Manager of Public Affairs and Stakeholders Relations. As part of his role, he interacts with different players in the value chain, participates in numerous industry initiatives and committees (such as the Circular Plastics Taskforce and the Canadian Plastics Pact) and, as a leader in the printing and packaging industries, ensures increased commitment and engagement from TC Transcontinental towards building a more sustainable and circular economy. Charles David has been working in sustainability at TC Transcontinental since 2012 and was named one of the “Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders” in Canada by Corporate Knights in 2016.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from McGill University, a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from École de technologie supérieure, and recently completed a diploma in public administration at École nationale d’administration publique.
Savannah Seydel currently serves as the Vice President of Sustainability for Better Earth, a sustainable packaging solutions company, where she focuses on accelerating a plastic-free future through packaging innovation, education, and advocacy. Prior to Better Earth, she worked on sustainability strategy across sectors ranging from non-profits to private companies, film production studios, and city governments. Savannah holds a bachelors in Environmental Science and Creative Writing from Emory University and an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University's Earth Institute and School of International and Public Affairs.
Bio coming soon!
Matt is the CEO and Chief Solutioneer for Upstream, a non-profit sparking innovative solutions to plastic pollution and today’s “throw-away” culture. He and UPSTREAM work with entrepreneurs, policymakers and culture hackers to ideate, accelerate and scale the transition from single-use to reuse.
Renata Neri is the Principal Category Lead for Packaging Compliance and Sustainability at Chick-fil-A Corporate. In her role, she is responsible for developing packaging solutions that meet the company’s sustainability goals and all compliance requirements for US and International markets.
Renata is an Industrial Engineer by training with an MBA from Emory University. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, innovation, product development and marketing strategy. Renata is passionate about innovation that responds to the constantly evolving marketplace and interested in advancing the packaging industry in all areas that enable development and adoption of more sustainable options for the future.
Martin has an EMBA and an MSc in Technology and Entrepreneurship. Before joining Tembo, he co-founded two companies in Argentina in the food and beverage industry.
Martin’s love of business development drew him to his role at ITM, where he has been Area Sales Manager for Latin America. And he took the same passion to his role at Tembo Paper.
Tembo Paper is part of Tembo Group, a global, family-owned group of companies that use technology and innovation to create sustainable manufacturing solutions in the fast-moving consumer goods market.
At Tembo Paper, Martin works with a talented team who help global brands be the first to launch next generation products by combining world-class product and machine development. This unique approach means clients and partners can make a smooth transition from plastic straws to high-quality, food-safety-compliant, and environmentally-friendly paper straws.
Tembo Paper’s unique paper straw technology enables high-volume paper straw production. By working only with the best suppliers and materials, and by minimising waste, Tembo Paper ensures optimal quality while keeping the environmental footprint low.
Danielle Zola is the Program Manager for Global Packaging & Branding at Patagonia. She and her team work to develop and optimize packaging while keeping it in line with brand look and feel, building a program that avoids plastic, minimizes material inputs, and is recycled kraft paper-based. Her goal is to look for innovative ways to use less packaging throughout the supply chain and across product applications, namely by employing technology to substitute for on-pack requirements. Before Patagonia, Danielle earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UCLA, followed by professional certifications in Project Management and Supply Chain Management. Her background in packaging optimization spans CPG, foodservice, and retail industries and allows for a deep understanding of the opportunities and constraints in achieving packaging goals. She is passionate about environmental sustainability, material reduction through design, and packaging substrate innovation.
Linda Roman is an Associate Director of Packaging at the Kraft Heinz Company. In her current position, Linda leads a Packaging R&D team, focused on addressing critical business strategies and ESG commitments through technology unlocks and partnerships across the entire value chain.
Linda is an R&D professional, with over 25 years of experience in the Food and Beverage industry. The majority of her career has been spent in packaging R&D, with over half in innovation and technology development. Linda holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida.
Scott Cassel has over 40 years of experience tackling waste management issues in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In 2000, he founded the Product Stewardship Institute, (www.productstewardship.us) a policy advocate and consulting nonprofit that pioneered product stewardship in the United States and has helped enact 130 extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws across 16 product categories in 33 states — the bedrock of the circular economy. Prior to founding PSI, Scott served seven years as the director of waste policy and planning for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, where he developed and implemented solid and hazardous waste management policies and programs. As PSI’s CEO, he developed the widely acclaimed facilitation process that the organization uses for stakeholder engagement and consensus-building — a process that resulted in the nation’s first industry-run, government-mandated paint stewardship program. In 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) appointed Scott to its Marine Debris Foundation, where he works on policy, infrastructure development, and innovative technologies to clean up and prevent pollution of our waterways and ocean.
Emily is Sustainability and Innovation Partnerships Leader at TC Transcontinental. Emily is an active member of the ASTM committee for compostable plastics, the Food Service Packaging Institute with the Paper Recovery Alliance and Plastics Recovery Group, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. Her expertise is on the subject of compostable coatings for packaging applications, and she has presented at several conferences on the subject.
Chris is the Sustainability Director for Eastman’s Specialty Plastics business unit group. He joined Eastman in 1998 and has held roles of increasing responsibility in Environmental, Health & Safety, Technology and Business Management/Leadership. In his current role, he works across Specialty Plastic’s various markets to leverage our advanced circular recycling technologies and help customers meet their sustainability goals.
Justin has had the privilege of spending most of his career in Ice Cream! He’s been with Ben & Jerry’s for 4 years, and worked for 6 years on other Unilever Ice Cream brands prior to that. Included in there was an assignment with the Unilever Global Team in the UK, focusing on new tech development. He’s now based out of Vermont, and is responsible for the Global B&J packaging agenda.
Justin is a “traditional Pack Engineer”, produced out of Michigan State’s School of Packaging, but is also now a key advocate for sustainability within the B&J’s Social Mission organization. At B&J he spends nearly all his time exploring and scaling new-to-world technologies to enable B&J and others to exit fossil fuels and non-compostables, while simultaneously prioritizing alternative fibers for paper. Additionally, he spends a fair amount of time navigating and advocating for improved recycling and compost infrastructure/guidance in hopes of progressing circularity.
Zach is the Corporate Sustainability Champion for Plastic Ingenuity, a leading custom thermoformer based in Madison, WI, where he is responsible for helping packaging professionals realize their sustainability goals. Zach has dedicated his career of 19 years to the thermoformed packaging industry with roles ranging from product development to commercial sales.
Jeff Travis has been in the packaging industry for over 30 years involved with both rigid and flexible packaging. He is currently the Manager of Innovation & Sustainability for American Packaging Corporation responsible for support and development of the sustainable product platforms, outreach, and integration of these platforms to the brands. Prior to working at American Packaging Corporation, Jeff worked at CL&D Graphics and Alcan packaging in package development and customer interface roles. Jeff has a BS in Plastics Engineering from University of Lowell in MA and a MBA from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.
Gary McElyea is the Group Director of The Coca-Cola Company’s North America Public Policy Center. Gary leads a team of public policy experts tasked with developing and implementing Coca-Cola’s policy positions in the U.S. and Canada supporting the company’s mission to refresh the world and make a difference. He has been a leader in Coca-Cola’s government affairs function for the last decade. He joined Coca-Cola in Kansas City in 2011 and has since led public affairs campaigns across the country.
In recent years, Gary led the development of key sustainability and collection policies for Coca-Cola’s North America operating unit. He serves on the advisory councils for the U.S. Plastics Pact and was appointed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to the state’s Plastics Advisory Council. Gary also represents Coca-Cola on several policy working groups at the American Beverage Association and the Consumer Brands Association.
Before joining Coca-Cola, Gary served as an advisor and spokesman for several state elected officials. He previously worked as at radio stations in Missouri and New York. He is currently completing his MBA at Missouri State University. Gary and his wife Alison have two daughters, Nora and Emma, and live in Brick, New Jersey.
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Sandeep Kulkarni is the founder and President of KoolEarth Solutions Inc., a technical consulting and business development company focused on helping companies develop and commercialize new sustainable packaging solutions as well as to improve the sustainability footprint of existing packaging and to reduce/eliminate packaging waste. He is also VP, Plastics and Packaging at Ubuntoo (www.ubuntoo.com), a unique environmental solutions platform to address plastic waste, plastic litter, food waste, sustainable fashion and so on.
Sandeep has over 20 years of industry experience working for several large packaging companies, such as International Paper, Neenah Paper and Georgia Pacific. Most recently he worked for PepsiCo, in the area of sustainable beverage packaging. His diverse expertise includes recycling, bioplastics, paper based as well as molded fiber packaging. Sandeep has 7 granted patents as well as several publications in industry journals. He has also served on conference advisory boards and has delivered several invited presentations, at international conferences, on the topics of sustainability and sustainable packaging. Sandeep serves as an Adjunct Professor at The Packaging School (a spinoff from Clemson University) as well as the North Carolina State University. Recently he was elected to serve as member of the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) for 3 year term (2021-2024)
Katherine “Kat” Shayne is a founder and CEO of CIRT. Before starting CIRT, Kat worked as a researcher focused on global materials management and marine litter for the Jambeck Research Group and UGA New Materials Institute, as well as an engineering and sustainability consultant. Kat attended the University of Georgia, where she received her BS and MS in Engineering. She has a passion for bridging science and technology with business and mitigation strategies in communities, especially with regards to waste management and new materials. She is a UGA 40 under 40 honoree, OneYoungWorld SDG 5 Lead 2030 Challenge winner, and a Google for Startups: Women Founders cohort member.
CIRT helps you answer that tough question… “Can I Recycle This?” CIRT is a B2B SaaS company digitizing the circularity of products and packaging. Purchasing for recoverability is made easy with their proprietary database and technology utilizing AI. They are creating value for companies by offering tools that enhance and streamline procurement and supplier networks, ESG tracking, and recycling communication, while reducing costs to landfill. Accessible via one dynamic platform, they are helping keep valuable materials in circulation, and out of the landfill, the environment and our ocean.
35 years experience in the Household products and the food industry globally, in product, process and packaging development.
Responsibilities cover sustainability corporate goal deliverables for packaging, reporting out for Global EPR compliance, driving our How2Recycle label program and development programs to lower environmental impact.
Previous external role as Vice President of the International Microwave Power Institute.
Bio coming soon!
Anne Germain is the Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) responsible for establishing and implementing strategies for recycling, landfilling, and sustainability in accordance with member needs. Her over 30 years in the industry includes extensive background in analysis of industry trends, contracting, engineering, operations and compliance.
Prior to joining NWRA, Anne was Chief Engineer with the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA). Anne is a Past President of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and serves on the executive committee of ABET. She is a professional engineer and a Board Certified Environmental Engineer with a Master in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. In 2020, she was recognized by MSW Management with their legacy award.
Suzanne is the voice and the vision of Shelton Group. Drawing on her extensive experience in energy and the environment – and 25+ years in the marketing and advertising industry – Suzanne provides high-level strategic insights for our clients and guidance for our research and creative departments. She regularly speaks at conferences around the country, including Sustainable Brands, Fortune Brainstorm E and the International Builders’ Show, and serves as a guest columnist for publications like Fast Company, Green Builder and GreenBiz.com.
Nate Pajka, Sustainability Specialist, Metsӓ Board, Americas, works in tandem with the Product Safety and Sustainability team in Finland to provide a range of sustainability services to the Americas and serves as Metsä Board’s sustainability expert in the region. Based in the Norwalk, CT, office, he is responsible for providing sustainability data, information and education to help clients reduce the environmental impact of their packaging. Before joining Metsӓ, he worked for one of the largest healthcare companies in Massachusetts as well as serving as a sustainability ambassador for one of the largest utilities in New England. Nate holds an MBA in Sustainability and Social Change and an MS in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University, Worcester, MA.
Ryan is the Program Manager of Sustainability for Global Packaging with Abbvie and holds a B.S. in Packaging Sciences from Michigan State University. He has more than 15 years of product and package design, engineering, and manufacturing experience across the consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries.
Being a dad of identical twin boys, and loving the great outdoors year-round, Ryan has a vested and personal interested in leaving this planet in better care than we found it. The struggles and fights of today will leave their mark with our kids tomorrow.
Lynn Hoffman is a Co-President of Eureka Recycling, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, whose mission is to demonstrate that waste is preventable, not inevitable. With the two largest recycling contracts in the state servicing the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Eureka operates a collection fleet and 100,000 tons-per-year single stream MRF with a mission-driven triple-bottom-line approach that balances environmental, social and economic benefit. Their business units aim to drive meaningful systems change by demonstrating ways in which recycling can be an effective cornerstone of a truly regenerative economy and support a shift towards source reduction and zero waste.
Considered a national expert in Zero Waste recycling systems and policies, Lynn works with other organizations, companies, and governments to advise, strategize, and implement authentic recycling, plastics reduction, and Zero Waste policy and program solutions. In 2020 and 2022, Lynn was invited to testify before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on recycling and climate change. Lynn is the National Coordinator for AMBR (the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers), and has served on the boards of the Minnesota Composting Council the Minnesota Environmental Fund, and the Advisory Council for the US Plastics Pact.
Prapti Muhuri is an Associate Director of Plastics Sustainability at the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and is responsible for helping plastic resin manufacturers achieve their circular economy goals. Prapti also leads industry initiatives to increase the recycling and recovery of plastics via robust advocacy and effective demonstration of life cycle and environmental assessments. Prior to joining ACC, Prapti worked for the National Institutes of Health.
Cheryl T Coleman is the Vice President for Sustainability at The Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). Cheryl has over 30 years of experience in materials management. In her current role at ISRI, she is leading efforts with ISRI members and other stakeholders to strengthen the industry’s voice in domestic and global policy sustainability discussions including Environmental, Social & Governance; the development of a Recyclability Protocol Program for fiber-based packaging; and is working with higher education schools to increase awareness of career opportunities in the recycling industry by providing apprenticeships, internships, and fellowships for students and includes an emphasis on recruiting students from underrepresented communities in the recycling industry.
Cheryl previously served as the Director of the Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division at US Environmental Protection Agency where she led efforts to improve the US recycling system, reduce food loss and waste, used electronics management and beneficial use of industrial materials
Prior to her tenure at EPA, Cheryl was the Director for RCRA and CERCLA related programs at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
For the past 6 years, Dustin Schadt has worked with Stora Enso as the Director of Business Development and Key Account Manager for Specialty Papers and Packaging Materials in North America. His key objective is to build partnerships with Retailers, Brand Owners, and Converters who have specific Objectives to increase the effectiveness of their Paper and Packaging. Though Quality, Service, and Logistics are all key objectives for these companies, Dustin focuses on clients whose primary goal is to find Sustainable Packaging Solutions. Bringing 18 years of experience from the Folding Carton Industry, he ties in many different components of the supply chain in order to find innovative solutions and bring value to the changing market. When he’s not talking about micro fibers, blank paper, or empty boxes, Dustin likes to travel with his family, creating many adventures along the way. Between his love for family and love for paper, there’s never a moment to rest.
Rob’s professional career has focused on the intersection of software and business model innovation with Circular Economy and Smart City challenges. He is Director of Industry Relations and Strategic Partnerships at AMP Robotics. In this role he develops and maintains AMP’s position as the global leader in providing AI-powered automation to economically and sustainably improve our recycling system. This involves collaboration across resource recovery industries to increase material supply and availability of recycling, modernize recycling infrastructure, and develop market demand for secondary materials.
Prior to AMP Robotics he was a Product Manager at Intrado (acquired by West), and his teams commercialized the core geographic technology for the world’s first cellular 9-1-1 call routing systems. He served in a Partnership Development role at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory collaborating with startups and small businesses developing energy, grid, and built environment technologies. At Innosphere Ventures he directed the incubation and early-stage financings for cleantech startups in the firm’s portfolio.
Sheida Sahandy is the Chief Sustainability Officer for Encina, a circular chemicals company. Ms. Sahandy has a cross-section of experience spanning business, government, science, and law. After graduating from Columbia Law School, she practiced corporate and securities law, focusing on access to capital markets and M&A transactions. She then earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a focus on environmental science and policy. She has experience in regulatory, legislative, and governance systems at the federal, state, and local levels with deep experience in the creation of public/private partnerships to advance environmental and social goals.
Molly Blessing is the Director of Sustainability at the Household & Commercial Products Association, where she develops and leads sustainability initiatives involving HCPA member companies, allied trade associations, government, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. Molly has previously worked at Henkel Adhesive Technologies and Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. She is also a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Chemistry Program intern. Molly has a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut, a Master of International Affairs with a concentration in Energy and Environment from Columbia University, and an M.S. in Product Stewardship from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Margaret manages the people and process behind BPI certifications. She joined BPI in 2020 as a project manager, bringing over two decades of recycling and waste reduction experience, most recently as the Executive Director of the Virginia Recycling Association. When not working to save the planet, she enjoys being in the woods or on the water, music of all genres, growing food and native plants, and cooking and eating. Mary Oliver is her favorite author.
Emily Lin has been with Diageo for 12 years in various technical roles in the US and Asia. She is currently leading Diageo’s global packaging sustainability strategy on how the company can reinvent packaging to be more sustainable, covering everything from material choices and packaging formats to supply chain models. She is passionate about circular packaging models and finding new, more sustainable ways to engage and excite consumers. Emily has a BS and MS in Food Science with a research focus on novel processing technologies to create a value stream for food waste.
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.
As the CEO & Co-Founder of erthos, Nuha is on a mission to build a new standard for sustainable materials that put our earth first. Nuha founded erthos while still completing her Business & Environmental Economics degree at the University of Toronto (Rotman). During her time at UofT, she actively contributed to the growth of young leaders in Canada. Under her leadership, Enactus, a student-run social innovation organization, grew from 7 to 70 members and her efforts were recognized by HSBC with the 2017 Woman Leader of Tomorrow Award. 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 $7.3M 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. From serving as an advisor to National technology accelerators like NEXT Canada, acting as a Board Member of Natural Step Canada, to mentoring young entrepreneurs and women in STEM, she is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders who are collectively working together to create a positive impact on 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, was recently awarded by Bay Street Bull 30x30.
Greg has a strong background in digital B2B sales and channel sales. And this experience has afforded him an invaluable skill set – despite the ever-changing landscape of the B2B marketplace, he’s been able to pivot and adapt in order to consistently achieve organic growth for a wealth of businesses across the globe.
A strong sales professional, his career has involved several senior commercial appointments in the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry. He’s most content in these positions: perhaps a hark back to student days, when he gained his masters’ degree in Industrial Distribution and Industrial Engineering.
In a previous role as CEO/President of Omega Engineering, Greg led a global provider of sensing, control, and monitoring tech through a major digital and commercial transformation.
Other career highlights include senior roles at Arrow Electronics and Grainger. He also spent seven years at Valin Corporation, manufacturer of instrumentation, controls, and automation products. As Executive VP, he led commercial, digital, and supplier relationship strategies.
Greg has been busy making sure that the rapid growth of Industrial Physics aligns with customer expectations. Drawing upon his deep industry knowledge and relationship building skills, his leadership allows us to be proactive when faced with the ever-changing needs of the industries we serve.
Tim has over 11 years’ experience in all the paper and packaging industry in various sales and marketing analytical functions. Much of his expertise has been in analyzing market trends and insights, market research, data analysis and forecasting. He brings his exemplary leadership, analytical, and communication skills to our consultancy division to help clients maximize their business objectives.
