Women in Packaging

Inspiration. Exchange. Global Networking.

Following its successful premiere at interpack 2023, Women in Packaging, the international networking event by women for women, will enter its second round at interpack 2026 on May, 11 – as an international platform for exchange, inspiration and networking.

The event is aimed at women of all career levels and age groups: from young professionals and experienced specialists to executives and entrepreneurs. Anyone who wants to actively shape the future of the packaging industry is welcome – regardless of their role, background or origin.

Keynote

Caroline Brabendererde, Head of Sustainability Mid Europe, Tetra Pak GmbH

Caroline Babendererde, Tetra Pak

Caroline Babendererde has been working in Environmental and Sustainability Management at various companies for around 30 years, including 23 years at Tetra Pak GmbH in Hochheim/Germany, currently as Head of Sustainability with a focus on Circular Economy.

In addition to her diploma studies in Physical Geography, Landscape Ecology and Spatial Planning at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Caroline Babendererde was active as a project manager at the Horstmann Foundation around „Science and Education in the Environment“, and has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1997. Before her studies, she trained and worked as a trilingual business correspondent in Barcelona.

Sustainability is more than a professional orientation for her; it is absolute close to her heart. That is why she is also a guest lecturer for sustainable packaging and overarching sustainability topics at various universities.

Caroline Babendererde is married and has a daughter. In her free time, she performs on stage at the state theatre in Mainz.

Programm & Highlights

Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
Location: Congress Center Düsseldorf, 2nd floor, Rooms 26, 27, 28

Women in Packaging offers inspiring insights, personal perspectives, and active exchange. Look forward to a keynote speech, a high-profile panel discussion, and topic hubs for networking and fresh inspiration. The topic hubs focus on in-depth conversations and networking on subjects such as leadership, skills, work-life balance, personal branding, and community building.

Event-Details

• 10:00 Check-in / Registration
• 10:30 Start
• 10:35 Welcome by Messe Düsseldorf
• 10:40 Keynote – inspiring insights
• 10:55 Panel discussion including Q&A – featuring top speakers
• 11:50 Networking in the topic hubs – in-depth discussions & exchange with industry specialists
• 13:30 End of the event

The program will be hosted by Emily Whigham, journalist and moderator.

The panel will be moderated by Nerida Kelton, Executive Director of the Australasian Institute of Packaging and Vice President Sustainability & Save Food at the World Packaging Organisation.

Save the date

Free registration

Secure your spot at Women in Packaging — register in just a few clicks and connect with inspiring women across the packaging industry.

Register now

Participants Panel Discussion

Jill Evanko

Chief Executive Officer Duravant

Jill Evanko is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Duravant, LLC, a Warburg Pincus, Carlyle and Temasek owned business. Prior to joining Duravant in January 2026, Jill served as President and CEO of Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE: GTLS) since June of 2018. Ms. Evanko joined Chart in February of 2017 as Chief Financial Officer.

She is, among other honors, a recipient of the ExxonMobil Power Play Rainmaker Award 2020 and the title “World LNG Executive of the Year 2020.” In addition, she was included in the Hydrogen Economist’s “Women in Hydrogen 50” list in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeast region in 2023.

Prof. Dr. Julia Hartmann

Prof. Dr. Julia Hartmann, Senior Professor Management & Sustainability, EBS University

Prof. Dr. Julia Hartmann is Senior Professor of Management & Sustainability at EBS University and a leading expert in sustainable supply chain management, ESG compliance, and corporate responsibility. Her research spans packaging-relevant topics including chain liability, supplier emissions, and sustainability communication. A sought-after speaker and advisor on ESG transformation, she regularly contributes to TV, radio, and industry panels.

Luciana Pellegrino

President WPO

Luciana Pellegrino is President of the World Packaging Organization (WPO), Austria, and Executive President of the Brazilian Packaging Association (ABRE), Brazil.

She is the first woman to hold the presidency of the World Packaging Organization (WPO), the global institution representing the packaging industry by bringing together national packaging organizations from 66 countries.

In Brazil, Luciana has been active in the packaging industry for nearly 30 years and serves as Executive President of the Brazilian Packaging Association (ABRE).

Dr. Kerstin van Wijk

Global Head of Innovation Packaging Adhesives, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dr. Kerstin van Wijk is the global head of Innovation for packaging adhesives at Henkel and has over 25 years of experience in the adhesives industry, with a strong focus on innovations to enable new packaging designs.

Throughout her career, she has been driven by a deep passion for sustainable solutions that enable circular economy models and help keep valuable resources in use.
By connecting material science, and sustainability, Dr. van Wijk actively contributes to shaping more responsible packaging solutions and driving transformation across the value chain.

Nerida Kelton - Panel Moderator

Executive Director des Australasian Institute of Packaging und Vice President Sustainability & Save Food bei der WPO

Nerida Kelton, Executive Director des Australian Institute of Packaging und Vice President Sustainability & Save Food bei der WPO

Nerida Kelton is Executive Director of the Australasian Institute of Packaging and Vice President Sustainability & Save Food at the World Packaging Organization (WPO). She has 28 years of experience in the packaging industry and is passionate about raising awareness of the important role packaging plays in minimizing food waste, as well as how “Save Food Packaging” design can make a difference.

Nerida is a member of the International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO) and the first woman ever to be awarded lifetime membership by the Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia. She received the inaugural Women in Packaging Hall of Fame Award in Australasia in 2024 and a fellowship to the AIP.

Topic Ambassadors

Monica Battistella

Sustainability Manager, Taghleef Industries

Monica Battistella is Group Sustainability Manager at Taghleef Industries, a global leader in the production of BOPP films.

With over 20 years of experience, she has held key positions across various functions, including sales and product management for TI Europe.

Actively involved in cross-value-chain initiatives such as CEFLEX and RecyClass, she is a strong advocate for sustainability and the circular economy, with in-depth expertise in regulatory compliance and the strategic role of suppliers in addressing industry challenges.

Topic Hub: Career Pathways & Mentorship

Shannon Doherty Andall

Chair of Sustainability Working Group, International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association

Shannon Doherty-Andall is Chair of the International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association’s Sustainability Working Group, a Certified Packaging Professional, and a leading voice for the beverage sector across Australia and the Asia-Pacific. Shannon works at the forefront of packaging, circular economy, and regulatory reform, actively contributing to national and global policy development including container deposit schemes and the UN Plastics Treaty, shaping practical, industry-aligned sustainability outcomes.

Topic Hub: Community Building & Peer Networks

Dr. Kathrin Gimpel

Chief Human Resources Officer, Teekanne GmbH & Co.KG

As Chief Human Resources Officer at Teekanne, Dr. Kathrin Gimpel drives transformation at the intersection of people, structures, and strategy. She believes that roles are defined less by titles or gender and more by responsibility—and that courage and trust grow where leadership creates an environment in which people feel empowered to take ownership.

Topic Hub: Balancing Work & Life

Kaie Kaas Ojavere

Co-Founder and CEO of KIUD

Kaie Kaas Ojavere is Co-Founder and CEO of the startup KIUD and brings over 20 years of experience in fashion, product development, and international brand growth. After witnessing the impact of overproduction, she shifted her focus to circular innovation, developing a novel rigid packaging material made from textile waste.

Today, she collaborates with leading European companies to scale reusable packaging systems and challenges the packaging industry to rethink materials, business models, and the capabilities required for a circular future.

Topic Hub: Future Generation & Skills

Dr. Afsaneh Nabifar

Head of Global Advocacy and Sustainability for Biopolymers, BASF SE

Born in Iran and shaped by 20 years in Canada, the United States, and Germany, the PhD chemical engineer brings a global perspective. Dr. Afsaneh Nabifar is passionate about “connecting the dots”: building value chain alliances, turning ideas into concrete actions, and aligning stakeholders across complex ecosystems.

She has been with BASF since 2012, driving innovation in research and development, market and business development, sustainability, and advocacy in the fields of packaging and biopolymers—combining deep technical expertise with strategic impact.

Topic Hub: Personal Branding & Visibility

Emily Whigham

Moderatorin Women in Packaging

Emily Whigham is one of the most experienced moderators in the German-speaking world and has been appearing on international stages for over 25 years—at events, panels, award ceremonies, galas, trade fairs, and on television.

Her focus areas include sustainability, innovation, fair trade, female empowerment, and culture. She is also active as a podcast host and is involved with Futurewoman.de, supporting the visibility and advancement of women in business and society.