{"id":3177,"date":"2024-10-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=3177"},"modified":"2024-10-15T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T04:00:00","slug":"women-in-packaging-stem-in-the-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=3177","title":{"rendered":"WOMEN IN PACKAGING: STEM in the Spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div><link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\"\/><link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\"\/><link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Nunito+Sans:ital,opsz,wght@0,6..12,200..1000;1,6..12,200..1000&amp;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\"\/><link rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/ext\/resources\/css\/PS-articles.css\"\/>\n<style><![CDATA[\n\t.profilename {\n\t\ttext-transform: uppercase;\n\t}\n\t\n\t.circle {\n\t\twidth: 200px; height: 200px; border: 5px solid #404144; border-radius: 50%; margin: 0px auto 3px auto; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), 0 6px 20px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.19);\n\t}\n\t\n\t.column4 {\n\t\tflex: 25%; padding: 5px; text-align: left;\n\t}\n\t\n\t@media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {\n\t\t.circle {\n\t\t\twidth: 250px; height: 250px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 3px;\n\t\t}\n\t\t.column {\n\t\t\tflex: 100%; max-width: 100%; margin: 5px;\n\t\t}\n\t\t.column4 {\n\t\t\tflex: 100%; max-width: 100%; margin: 5px;\n\t\t}\n\t}\n\t\n\t.profileBtn {\n\t\tbackground-color: #1C4974; border-radius: 100px; box-shadow: rgba(241, 250, 255, .2) 0 -25px 18px -14px inset, rgba(241, 250, 255, .15) 0 1px 2px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .15) 0 2px 4px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .15) 0 4px 8px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .15) 0 8px 16px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .15) 0 16px 32px; color: #fff; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: CerebriSans-Regular, -apple-system, system-ui, Roboto, sans-serif; padding: 7px 20px; margin-top: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition: all 250ms; border: 0; font-size: 16px; user-select: none; -webkit-user-select: none; touch-action: manipulation; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 5px;\n\t}\n\t\n\t.profileBtn:hover {\n\t\tbox-shadow: rgba(241, 250, 255, .35) 0 -25px 18px -14px inset, rgba(241, 250, 255, .25) 0 1px 2px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .25) 0 2px 4px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .25) 0 4px 8px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .25) 0 8px 16px, rgba(241, 250, 255, .25) 0 16px 32px; transform: scale(1.05) rotate(0deg);\n\t}\n\t\n\t.profilecontainer {\n\t\tbackground-color: #f1faff; padding: 20px;\n\t}\n\t\n\t.align {\n\t\tdisplay: flex; align-items: center; float: right;\n\t}\n\t\n\t.align span {\n\t\tpadding: 10px;\n\t}\n\n]]><\/style>\n<p>I thoroughly enjoyed pulling together this year\u2019s Women in Packaging feature \u2013 my second since assuming the role of Chief Editor of <em>Packaging Strategies<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>For starters, I have been privileged to meet some of these outstanding packaging professionals in person. Also, some of the <a href=\"#profiles\">professionals featured this year<\/a> have made valuable and insightful editorial contributions to <em>Packaging Strategies<\/em> in recent months. And I would be remiss not to give a shout out to those who brought to my attention outstanding women packaging professionals that I was not aware of.<\/p>\n<p>A common theme this year is the often central role of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) when it comes to considering a career in packaging. Following are some Q&amp;A excerpts that drive this point home.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cI chose to remain in the packaging industry because it is integral to every facet of our lives,\u201d says <strong>Dana Austin<\/strong>, IWK North America General Manager. \u201cIt was fascinating to discover how many people were unaware of the engineering and innovation that goes into the everyday products they use. For instance, ensuring that a laundry detergent spout dispenses liquid at the precise flow rate is a complex science. This realization, coupled with the dynamic nature of the industry, solidified my decision to build my career in packaging.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cI&#8217;ve always been drawn to engineering and the intricacies of how things work,\u201d says\u00a0<strong>Jessica Fischer<\/strong>, Parts and Service Manager, OMV Technologies, USA. \u201cThe plastics machinery business is the perfect place to apply that passion, as it intersects with so many different industries. That variety and the constant innovation in the field are what made me stay in the industry\u2014and continue to inspire me every day.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>Amy Phinney<\/strong>, Market Manager, NOVA Chemicals, notes: \u201cThere is still a considerable gender gap in STEM careers in general, so naturally we see this spill into the packaging industry. Because of this divide, we must work harder to get more women interested in pursuing STEM educations and training, to begin with. From there, it\u2019s important to raise the profile of packaging careers, so that we can entice more STEM-educated women to pursue opportunities in this industry.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Check out what inspired these six outstanding professionals to pursue careers in packaging and what advice they have for young women considering doing the same.<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"profiles\"\/><\/p>\n<hr style=\"border: 3px dotted #f1faff;\"\/>\n<figure class=\"row\">\n<figure class=\"column4\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<h3 class=\"profilename\">Dana Austin<\/h3>\n<h4>General Manager<br \/>\n<br \/>IWK North America<\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/105088-stem-in-the-spotlight-dana-austin-iwk-north-america-general-manager\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: none;\" target=\"_parent\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"profileBtn\">Read Profile<\/button><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"column4\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<h3 class=\"profilename\">Jessica Fischer<\/h3>\n<h4>Parts and Service Manager<br \/>\n<br \/>OMV Technologies<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/ext\/resources\/ISSUES\/2024\/10-October\/Features\/Women-in-Packaging\/Jessica-Fischer.jpg\" alt=\"Jessica Fischer\" class=\"circle\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/105089-stem-in-the-spotlight-jessica-fischer-parts-and-service-manager-omv-technologies-usa\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: none;\" target=\"_parent\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"profileBtn\">Read Profile<\/button><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"column4\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<h3 class=\"profilename\">Babitha George<\/h3>\n<h4>Portfolio Manager<br \/>\n<br \/>Packaging Solutions, Tetra Pak<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/ext\/resources\/ISSUES\/2024\/10-October\/Features\/Women-in-Packaging\/Babitha-George.jpg\" alt=\"Babitha George\" class=\"circle\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/105090-stem-in-the-spotlight-babitha-george-portfolio-manager-for-packaging-solutions-tetra-pak-us-and-canada\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: none;\" target=\"_parent\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"profileBtn\">Read Profile<\/button><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<hr style=\"border: 3px dotted #f1faff;\"\/>\n<figure class=\"row\">\n<figure class=\"column4\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<h3 class=\"profilename\">Kate Gilpin<\/h3>\n<h4>Product Manager, Luxury Packaging<br \/>\n<br \/>James Cropper<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/ext\/resources\/ISSUES\/2024\/10-October\/Features\/Women-in-Packaging\/Kate-Gilpin.jpg\" alt=\"Kate Gilpin\" class=\"circle\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/105091-stem-in-the-spotlight-kate-gilpin-product-manager-luxury-packaging-james-cropper\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: none;\" target=\"_parent\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"profileBtn\">Read Profile<\/button><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"column4\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<h3 class=\"profilename\">Amy Mercante<\/h3>\n<h4>General Manager<br \/>\n<br \/>Specialty Products, PPG<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/ext\/resources\/ISSUES\/2024\/10-October\/Features\/Women-in-Packaging\/Amy-Mercante.jpg\" alt=\"Amy Mercante\" class=\"circle\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/105094-stem-in-the-spotlight-amy-mercante-general-manager-of-specialty-products-ppg\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: none;\" target=\"_parent\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"profileBtn\">Read Profile<\/button><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"column4\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<h3 class=\"profilename\">Amy Phinney<\/h3>\n<h4>Market Manager<br \/>\n<br \/>NOVA Chemicals<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/ext\/resources\/ISSUES\/2024\/10-October\/Features\/Women-in-Packaging\/Amy-Phinney.jpg\" alt=\"Amy Phinney\" class=\"circle\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/105095-stem-in-the-spotlight-amy-phinney-market-manager-nova-chemicals\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: none;\" target=\"_parent\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n<button class=\"profileBtn\">Read Profile<\/button><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div><a class=\"article-author__thumbnail-url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/authors\/2736-brad-addington\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"article-author__img-thumb\" width=\"96\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/ext\/resources\/Authors\/Brad-Addington.JPG?height=96&amp;t=1674744920&amp;width=96\" alt=\"Brad addington\"\/><span class=\"article-author__name\">Brad Addington<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-author__description\">\n<p><strong>Brad Addington<\/strong> is Chief Editor of <em>Packaging Strategies<\/em> and <em>Flexible Packaging<\/em>. He has more than 25 years of B2B publishing experience following the fresh produce industry, foodservice, retail, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, renewable fuels and sustainability. He and his family live in Spokane, Washington, and enjoy participating in regional triathlons and marathons. Brad majored in Journalism and Latin American Studies at the University of Kansas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.packagingstrategies.com\/articles\/105086-women-in-packaging-stem-in-the-spotlight\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I thoroughly enjoyed pulling together this year\u2019s Women in Packaging feature \u2013 my second since assuming the role of Chief Editor of Packaging Strategies. For starters, I have been privileged to meet some of these outstanding packaging professionals in person. Also, some of the professionals featured this year have made valuable and insightful editorial contributions [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[165],"tags":[1491,1488,1490,1489],"class_list":["post-3177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-packaging-news","tag-packaging-industry","tag-women-in-packaging","tag-women-leaders","tag-women-leaders-in-packaging"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3177\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}