Industry Voices

Dive deeper into the story of Matthew Hall, an electrician at WestRock Company. He is stepping up to become Chairperson of the Pulp and Paper Workers Resource Council. Join us in congratulating Matt’s hard work and zeal as he takes his next big step to advocate for a more sustainable future.

AF&PA hosted three summer interns in 2023, each passionate about sustainability in the paper and wood industry. Learn more about their findings from this summer on Capitol Hill and in D.C.

Experience the inspiring journey of David Wise, Vibration Analyst at WestRock. He champions sustainability in the paper industry as Chairman of the Pulp and Paper Workers Resource Council, advocating for growth and jobs. Witness his dedication on Capitol Hill and the legacy he passes on.

We took a moment to the 2022-2023 U.S. Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Award winners about what sustainability means to them, why STEM careers are important and what forest product industry innovations they’re excited about. 

We are a workforce filled with inspiring and brilliant women who are making changes and breaking barriers in manufacturing. We took a moment to ask what the industry and its sustainability goals mean to a few women from our member, Ahlstrom.

“Diversity in any industry creates visible representation,” Gabrielle Evans said. We sat down with her, Marcez Mitchell and Marlon Jones from International Paper to get their candid thoughts on diversity in the paper and wood products industry, how they celebrate Black History Month and more.

Procter & Gamble’s Senior Vice President, Product Supply-Family Care, Regina Gray highlights how diversity in skills and in employees can help elevate companies in the paper and wood products industry.

Lisa Berghaus, Director of Marketing Communications for Monadnock Paper Mills, explains the paper-based packaging design process and how the industry is working with brands to meet sustainability goals.

As a leading producer of pulp, International Paper is helping address period poverty, an issue that impacts 500 million women and girls around the globe. Their work on this issue recently won International Paper an AF&PA Sustainability Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In collaboration…

Forests play a major role in our lives, providing us with food, water and recreation. What makes that possible? Hear what Jeff Bradley, Director of Sustainability Standards at the American Wood Council (AWC) has to say about sustainability in the forest products industry.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder of the value of diversity in the paper and wood products industry. Rafael Garcia, Vice President – Environmental Stewardship Strategy, Consumer Products Group at Georgia-Pacific told us about the value unique perspectives bring to sustainability challenges.

Paper-based packaging is a sustainable choice. Rachel Ingram, Design Engineer Manager for Sonoco explains how new ideas for paper packaging come to life and her goals for the future of sustainability in our industry.