interpack 2026 will host its second Women in Packaging programme, featuring a keynote speech from Tetra Pak, multi-perspective panel discussions, and networking opportunities geared towards women at all career levels.
The programme will be hosted by journalist and presenter Emily Whigham and targets women in various career paths, from company founders to start-up professionals. It is intended to facilitate knowledge exchange, forge new contacts, and deliver mutual support.
Women in Packaging will commence with a keynote from Caroline Babendererde, head of Sustainability Mid Europe at Tetra Pak. She will discuss the links between recruiting young talent, visible career paths, and sustainability-related progress.
“Packaging is a crucial component of food safety,” she says. “We need to demonstrate much more clearly that it protects products, ensures quality and prevents food losses.
“In doing so, we will be making a direct contribution to security of supply and climate protection. We want to actively strengthen this awareness – among young people, career starters and, of course, not only among women, because those who recognise our industry’s responsibility and innovative strength also see its strong future opportunities.
“When it comes to diversity, I hope that equity and diversity will soon be a matter of course. We are making progress, but we still have work to do, especially in the apprenticeship and education sector.”
This will be followed by a panel discussing the packaging industry’s progress from the perspectives of industry, international organizations, and science – shaped by personal experiences, individual focuses, and international career paths.
The panel will be moderated by Nerida Kelton, vice president Sustainability & Save Food at the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and executive director of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).
“The first Women in Packaging event at interpack 2023 showed us that events like this are desired by the global industry,” she comments. “What makes it so special are the open discussions, the networking, the opportunity to be inspired by women who have already travelled this path, and the occasion for participants to ask questions, discuss challenges and learn from one another.
“For me, it’s about meeting new people, hearing their stories and strengthening my own global network of inspiring women in the packaging industry that I can draw on in the future.”
Kelton will be joined by Duravent CEO Jill Evanko, who will offer insights as a manager of international industrial companies. Dr Kerstin van Wijk, global head of Innovation Packaging Adhesives at Henkel, will provide her outlook on industrial practice, technological innovation and concrete applications across the value chain.
WPO president Luciana Pellegrino is the first female head of the organization and will bring her experience in global cooperation to the table. Additionally, Prof. Dr Julia Hartmann from EBS University will discuss sustainable transformation strategy from the viewpoint of research, consulting, and supervisory bodies.
Additionally, Women in Packaging will now feature Topic Hubs – topic-driven networking rounds focused on Career Pathways & Mentorship, Community Building & Peer Networks, Personal Branding & Visibility, Balancing Work & Life and Future Generation & Skills.
Topic Ambassadors will oversee the conversation, including Shannon Doherty-Andall from the Australian Beverages Council. She will discuss the interface between sustainability, regulation, and industrial implementation, while BASF’s Dr Afsaneh Nabifar will bring together scientific expertise and international transformation across the value chain.
Teekanne CHRO Dr Kathrin Gimpel will talk about leadership, organization, and corporate culture, and Taghleef Industries sustainability manager Monica Battistella will discuss circular economy, regulatory topics, and her own experience in international initiatives. Kaie Kaas-Ojavere, CEO and co-founder of KIUD, will add a start-up’s angle on entrepreneurial innovation and new approaches to circular packaging.
“Women in Packaging was still an exception when it premiered in 2023 – today, dialogue on these topics is an integral part of the industry,” adds interpack director Thomas Dohse. “This exchange is becoming increasingly important, especially in the context of qualified personnel and future skills.
“interpack introduces a particular international dimension in this respect: participants from all over the world meet speakers from Europe, the USA, South America and Australia and combine different perspectives.”
The event will take place on 11 May 2026, starting at 10:30 AM at Congress Centre Düsseldorf, 2nd Floor, Room 26, 27, 28. Interested parties can click here to register.
For a further rundown of events at interpack 2026, as well as Packaging Europe’s coverage of the event, take a look at our guide to this year’s key themes, programme highlights, and more.
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