Industry Voices

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…

Chinmay Satam and Udita Ringania, past winners of the Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Award share their research and perspective on the sustainability of the forest products industry.  

For Denise Weinberger, a love for the paper and wood products industry runs in her blood. She discussed what sustainability means to her and how sustainable forest management positively impacts the planet for future generations.

Mentorship is an essential part of any career path. It’s usually a two-way street of people working together and offering life-long learning and partnership. At Domtar’s Plymouth, North Carolina mill, two women in the paper and wood products industry are leading and achieving through partnership. …

Janet Lee is an electrical engineer at Essity’s Harrodsburg site in Kentucky. She shared her dreams for the manufacturing industry, and how she is breaking barriers in her field. 

Hear from Freddie Davis, registered forester and Director of the Rural Training and Research Center. With a diverse background in forestry, Davis shares with us his work, proudest moments, and what he’s doing to help Black landowners manage their forests sustainably.

The people who most inspire Levell Hairston, Vice President and General Manager of Recycling at International Paper, are voyagers and pioneers found within the paper and wood products industry.