Steve Ottone is the holder of a BS and MS in Wood Science from the Pennsylvania State University. His career started in the paper industry with work for Container Corporation of America, St. Regis Paper, and Champion International. He then moved to the supplier side, working in latex supply to the paper industry for Reichhold, Inc., Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex, and Mallard Creek Polymers. He worked for 7 years with a supplier of ground calcium carbonate into the paper industry. He’s currently a Technical Service Representative with Mallard Creek Polymers, a leading supplier of latex polymers for barrier coatings. His area of emphasis is polymer and rheology modifier solutions to barrier coatings needs.
Gary is a mission-driven professional focused on advancing Sustainability for high-volume consumer goods. Sustainability challenges us to think differently. It challenges us to innovate and build systems solutions. Gary’s 30-years of diverse professional experience with global brands has prepared him well for this mission.
Gary started as a research scientist for Kraft Foods. This cultivated curiosity as a challenger, and analysis skills for building disruptive innovations. This is also when Gary became committed to Sustainability after the launch of his first consumer package into retail.
Gary has served in a multitude of leadership assignments. Each uniquely demonstrating his strength and diversity. Gary’s experience includes Global Manufacturing Engineer in India with the Amway Corporation, Sr. Manager New Product Development with Newell Rubbermaid, Director of Purchasing and Packaging for a global chemical company, and he was the first to build the packaging department for The Home Depot. As an innovator, Gary led development of a disruptive fiber technology for BillerudKorsnäs called Fibreform, a 3D cold formable paper to displace plastics.
Gary served a rotation in public policy, strategy, and government affairs for an Israeli based certified compostable biopolymer company called Tipa.
Gary currently operates as a fractional professional helping a portfolio of clients advance their Sustainability and innovation strategies. Gary is actively accepting new clients.
Scott McNutt has over 40 years of experience in the paper industry, with a focus on process and product knowledge in the disciplines of papermaking, quality, engineering, operations management, Lean/Six Sigma, product development and innovation. He is well-versed in the downstream converting processes and end use requirements for cut sheet, QSR, flexible packaging, and technical specialty grades.
He started his career in specialty paper at Dunn Paper, serving in roles process engineering, quality management, and product dev. He transitioned to Fine Paper with Willamette and was part of the effort to infuse state-of-the-art papermaking technology into the fine paper industry in the US. He then managed the production operations for Wausau Papers, returning to his specialty paper roots. To bring his career full circle, he returned to Dunn Paper in Port Huron to drive operations success and innovation.
He has toured a vast number of pulp and paper mills in the US and abroad, exploring new technology. Scott has been a member of TAPPI since 1985, attending numerous events at the local Chapters as well as annual Conferences. In addition, he has been active in the Smithers Specialty Papers Conferences in Europe and North America. He is currently active in the TAPPI Mentor program and recently joined the Tappi Nanotechnology subcommittee.
His primary focus now with Nextep Partners LLC Consulting is on paper innovations for sustainable packaging applications.
Brad Hartong supports Application Development at Primient.
Brad’s career spans 19 years across both the chemical and paper industries. Much of his work has been focused on barrier chemistries development as well as paper coatings.
Brad eared a Paper Science and Engineering, BS degree from Miami University in Ohio as well as completed advanced degrees (Masters and PhD) in the same field from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology.
Dave Magda is the Sr. Director of Innovation & Business Development for Pixelle Specialty Solutions, headquartered in Spring Grove, PA. He has 35+ years of industry experience with multiple chemical suppliers and paper manufacturing companies. Dave holds a bachelor’s degree in Paper Science & Engineering and an MBA in Technology Management.
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)
Dr. Girish Deshpande is passionate about sustainability and is currently working at PepsiCo in Beverage Packaging R&D. His role is focused on identifying and developing next generation sustainable technologies that can help meet PepsiCo’s sustainability goals.
Dr. Girish has over 25 years of industry experience working for several large companies, such as PepsiCo, KraftHeinz, Plastipak, Dexcom and a smaller technology development company (Engi-Mat Co) early in his career. In all his diverse work experiences, Dr. Girish has developed technologies that can improve sustainability – from controlled heat transfer architectural glass to increased barrier in packaging and enhanced recyclability in packaging. He has wide experience in working with a range of materials – plastics, ceramics and metals. He is an expert in developing gas barrier solutions, paper-based packaging and polymer structure-property relationships tailored to developing unique sustainable packaging solutions.
Girish has 32 granted US patents and 2 packaging technologies that he invented are commercially available in the marketplace today. He has also published technical journal articles in a few journals. He is currently a member of several Technical Committees of TAPPI.
Kelly L. Helein is a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in the paper, chemical, and converting industries. Her career spans global specialty paper mills and coating companies including Wisconsin Tissue (Essity), Little Rapids Corporation, Thilmany (Ahlstrom), Daikin America, Coveris (TC Transcontinental), and Footprint. With deep expertise in marketing, business development, and sales, Kelly has become a recognized champion of sustainable packaging—mentoring others and advocating for innovative fiber-based solutions.
She has spearheaded strategic commercial initiatives for leading consumer brands such as Tyson, Conagra, Cargill, JBS, and Delta Airlines, as well as major retailers including ADUSA, Albertsons, Walmart, and Target. Her work has helped these organizations transition to more sustainable packaging alternatives, aligning environmental responsibility with business performance.
Honored as one of the Top Women Leaders in Wisconsin by Women We Admire in both 2023 and 2024, Kelly continues to inspire through her leadership and advocacy. She resides in Appleton, Wisconsin with her husband Greg, and enjoys hiking, skiing, and gardening. Together, they cherish time with their three adult children, their granddaughter, and their Bernadoodle, Ollie. Kelly works for Genera as the Vice President of Business Development.
