2024 speakers have been confirmed!
The 2024 speakers include Mars, Domtar, Sonoco, Novolex, BiOrigin, Papkot, Mondi, Suzano America, Canopy Planet, Dow, University of Maine, UMV Coating Systems AB, and more.
After 39 years in the industry, John has accumulated a wide portfolio of knowledge within the packaging sector. His experience spans material and equipment developments within companies including International Paper, Frito-Lay / PepsiCo, Dean Foods, Kellogg and TIPA Compostable Films. He has delivered numerous developments to the marketplace, simultaneously growing brands and delivering productivity.
There are not too many individuals that have had the opportunity to develop packaging for both Pringles and Lay’s Stax fabricated crisps. The Brand needs and Operations realities were not always synergistic at either organization. Additionally, there were some common threads when developing environmentally responsible packaging for these common products across both businesses. John’s approach is to develop systems that solve both the needs and realities driving organizations. John will share his experiences with the goal of providing insights of what to expect in your developments.
Jochen Schlegel studied chemical and process (paper) engineering. He has more than 30 years experience in the paper and board industries, amongst other things. He is an independent expert for speciality paper and board grades since 2009.
SKelly Williams is a 25-year veteran of the flexible packaging industry, with deep expertise spanning material science, converting, and digital printing technologies. He began his career commercializing complex fossil-based packaging structures and has since become a recognized leader in compostable and regenerative packaging solutions. Kelly has extensive experience with digital printing platforms for both labels and flexible packaging and has helped build agile, short-run ecosystems tailored to emerging brands. Today, he brings a systems-level perspective on how sustainability and digital technologies are converging to transform the packaging landscape.
Jill has spent over 30 years in marketing, with the past 20 years specifically in print and paper manufacturing. She uses that perspective and understanding in her role at Two Sides North America to help address the environmental misconceptions faced by the industry. Working closely with sustainability experts, she understands the importance of clear communication, engagement and transparency when it comes to telling the important story of forestry, paper and the value of print in our daily lives.
Jill is also a partner at Bubble & Hatch Marketing.
Guido Schmitz is an accomplished professional with over 44 years of international experience in the consumer healthcare industry, specializing in packaging, branding, design, and process technology innovation. Throughout his career, he has developed several groundbreaking technologies for various Bayer Consumer Health production sites, leading to the creation of many innovative products.
Recognized for his expertise and contributions to the field, Guido serves as a respected member of the Rutgers Advisory Board for packaging engineering education, where he shares his knowledge and insights with aspiring packaging professionals.
In 2016, he became an agile professor at Rutgers University, where he teaches Product Design and Packaging Innovation during the fall semester and he mentors Packaging Engineering students senior projects during the spring semester, truly nurturing the next generation of packaging engineers.
Guido’s commitment to advancing the industry extends beyond academia, as he is a board member at the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA).
Driven by a passion for sustainability and environmental responsibility, Guido founded InnCreReal, an organization focused on innovating new product concept solutions made from renewable raw materials. Its goal is to create structurally unique products optimized for a circular economy cycle, enabling complete recycling and reuse.
Dean Benjamin received a B.S. degree in Paper Science and Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. While at Minnesota, he studied computational and experimental fluid mechanics of the roll coating process under Professor L.E. Scriven.
Upon graduation, Dean joined Avery Dennison as a Research Engineer at the Avery Research Center in Pasadena, CA where he led projects to develop coating processes for the production of pressure sensitive labels and tapes.
Dean then joined Consolidated Papers, Inc. as a Senior Research Engineer at their R&D facility in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. His research focused on developing new coating and finishing equipment and he eventually became the manager of the Coater Research & Engineering Department. He also worked in the areas of coating color preparation, paper finishing technology, high-speed coaters, fountain applications, corrosion engineering, kraft chemical recovery systems and product development. Dean then became the manager of the Product Development - Publication Papers where he worked on a variety of product developments including high bulk paper, alternative finish paper and high brightness, carbonate based paper coatings, and later was appointed as Director of Research for NewPage.
Daniel has worked within the paper & board industry sector for 25 years and has had positions within Engineering, Sales, and Management. He started his career in Valmet Karlstad in Sweden and joined UMV Coating Systems in 2008. Daniel’s current position is Commercial Director and he is a former CEO and Sales Director of the company.
Daniel has been deeply involved in the strategic decisions to develop technology for better coverage of the fibers and focus on barrier applications which has positioned UMV Coating systems in the center of this field. The work Daniel has made, leading customer projects from idea to implementation on the world market, has given him a profound understanding and knowledge about production units and coating concepts needed to produce optimal barrier products based on surface treatment of paper‐and board.
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, 1987
M.S. Pulp and Paper Science, Institute of Paper Chemistry, 1989
Ph.D. Pulp and Paper Science, Institute of Paper Science and Technology, 1994
Mr. Guan is recognized as one of the most innovative young serial entrepreneurs (Forbes 30 Under 30) and one of the most influential people under 35 in the plastics industry (Rising Star 2015 by Plastics News), Aaron Guan is the Founder and CEO of Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. He also serves as Board Director and Newsletter Chair for the Society of Plastic Engineers' Thermoplastic Materials and Foams Division.
Mr. Guan received both his B.A.Sc and M.A.Sc in mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto, he has a number of patents and publications in the fields of bio-based nano-reinforcement, biopolymers, thermoplastics, and composites. Decorated with multiple awards recognizing his efforts in the development of sustainable biobased nanotechnology and entrepreneurship, Aaron founded Neptune in 2022 which specializes in the development of a novel nano-material known as chitin nanocrystal, a fishing waste-sourced single crystal with a wide range of applications.
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)
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.
Lee-Ann has been engaged in forest conservation campaigns for more than two decades. As a senior strategist and campaign manager, she’s led initiatives including efforts to protect the internationally renowned forests of Clayoquot Sound, as well as the development and launch of Canopy’s Pack4Good Initiative, transforming the paper packaging sector and the impact it has on the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests. In addition, Lee-Ann worked as part of an investigative research team that specializes in international supply chain research. This unique blend of skills, along with her ability to cultivate collaborative partnerships, allows her to approach conservation challenges with a well-rounded, solutions-oriented perspective.
Beyond her work at Canopy, Lee-Ann co-founded an award-winning animal welfare organization. Her passion for animals, whether they be wild or domesticated, and the places they call home is what drives her daily efforts.
A representative voice in paper-based solutions with 20+ years’ experience in Paper & Packaging Industry, serving major Industrial, CPG Brands, Retailers and Private Labels, and E-Commerce provider. First point of contact in Mondi for Retailers and Brands on achieving Sustainability goals in packaging with flexible solutions (paper, plastic, hybrid) and circular business model. Holding a Civil Engineering Degree, MBA & Executive programs in Sales & Marketing Excellence from US Business Schools, and specialized in Business Sustainability, Net Zero, Circular Economy from the University of Cambridge. Grown in Venice (Italy), international market experience, living a multicultural family, passionate Sailor, Architect & Engineer of Sustainability in Business.
Chris is an engineering professional whose journey began at SUNY-ESF, where he obtained a degree in Paper Science. With nearly two decades of industry experience, Chris has cultivated a deep appreciation of all paper grades, with a special interest on the tissue/towel sector. His career path has been a dynamic blend of roles, from spearheading product development to redefining technical application roles and steering product management initiatives. Over the past eight years, he's had the privilege of being involved in the development, start up, and support of cutting-edge tissue machine technologies.
As the North America Technical Manager for Suzano, Chris's approach extends beyond technical subjects; he views customer interactions as collaborative partnerships rather than conventional supplier-client transactions. With a blend of technical problem-solving skills and a people-first philosophy, Chris is not just an engineer; he's a catalyst for industry advancement and customer satisfaction.
Dr. Mei is a senior research specialist from Dow Chemical working on developing barrier coatings for paper. She is trained as a material researcher in polymeric materials with more than eight years of research experience in United States, Canada, and China where she gained expertise on developing structure-property relationship and material design for applications such as coatings, energy devices, drug delivery, and membranes. Her research results in over ten journal articles, several of which have been recognized by the field with Editor’s highlight and media coverage. She also contributes to several patent applications. She got her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, M.S. in Chemical Engineering from McGill University and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology.