Women from Amcor, Orora, and Close the Loop, were among those that took at top prizes at the inaugural PKN Women in Packaging Awards, produced and hosted by Print21 sister title PKN Packaging News.
All the finalists of the six awards featured on the arresting Walk of Fame billboards, created by Tango Signs, and sponsored by Currie Group, displayed in the foyer. The sold-out event saw women and men from all areas of packaging join together to learn, share, and appreciate the efforts of the finalists.
Lindy Hughson, managing editor and publisher of PKN Packaging News, said, "In devising the awards, the PKN team believed that if we can shine a spotlight on the achievements of the talented women in our industry, it could make a difference in their careers; and if in this process we can elevate the packaging industry as a sound and supportive environment for women to work in, influencing aspirant young women as they make career choices, then we will certainly have made a difference to this industry."
Amcor Flexibles team member Nayeleh Deirram won the Packaging Technology Leader Award. She introduced an innovative antistatic packaging solution for bulk milk powder. Her collaboration with the Amcor Albany team resulted in a specialised film, and set a new standard for safety, compliance, and sustainability in the dairy industry.
Ellie King of Orora Group was the winner of the Manufacturing Leader Award. King pioneered the establishment of plant operations at Orora’s glass recycling facility, optimising processes, increasing recycled content utilisation, while prioritising technical capability and modern manufacturing to advance circularity in Australian manufacturing.
Jessica O’Donnell from Close the Loop Group took out the Communications Award. O’Donnell managed the campaign for the launch of Close the Loop’s updated soft plastics recycling facility with strategic prowess, uniting industry stakeholders to advance soft plastics recycling, and shape the narrative around sustainable packaging in Australia.
Awards were also given for Sustainability Leader (won by Marissa Altmeier, Pernod Ricard Winemakers), Innovation Champion (Joanne Howarth, Planet Protector Group), and Design & Branding Visionary (Pippa Corry, philo & Co). A Hall of Fame award was presented to Nerida Kelton of AIP.
The event featured a keynote address by Danielle Colley, writer and integrative coach, and a fireside chat with Freya Marsden, chair of the Victorian Government Sustainability Fund, Chair of the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme; APCO Board member and chair of Risk & Audit committee.
Colley spoke on themes of resilience, self-love, and self-compassion as keys to achieving empowered living. She emphasised four main points for fast-tracking empowerment: questioning negative thoughts, recognising that no effort is wasted, understanding that necessary resources are already available, and the importance of balance in life.
Marsden offered four key pieces of advice to young women building their careers: “Engage in continuous learning, think like a leader, invest time in networking including across silos, and think strategically about how you can create impact in your role.”
Sponsors were Amcor, Ball & Doggett, Currie Group, Avery Dennison, Close the Loop Group, Impact International, Planet Protector Group, Tetra Pak, Delta Global, FujiFilm, Positiv and Trimatt Systems.