US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced appointments to the 2024 Paper and Packaging Board of Directors (P+PB), and two of the three new directors named are women leaders in the print and paper industry.

An Boon, Vice President of Global Marketing at Graphic Packaging International, and Tonie Meyers, Senior Vice President of Paperboard and Sheeting Operaitons at Billerud. They join Beth Cormier, Vice President of Research, Development and Sustainability at Sappi, and Alpa Sutaria, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability at WestRock, on the 8-member board. Sutaria serves as Vice Chairman of the P+PB Board.

The P+PB Board is an industry-driven and funded program under the authorization of the USDA. Commonly known as a “check-off program,” the board promotes the use of paper and paperboard to consumers, with a focus on the sustainability of the paper-based products. Currently, 47 US paper industry manufacturers and importers fund the program.

Launched in 2014, the P+PB was recently extended for seven more years (or until the Board calls a continuation referendum) by a vote of industry producers. Other well-known USDA “check-off programs” brought consumers memorable PR campaigns like “Got Milk?” and “The Incredible Edible Egg.” Because trees are a crop, the USDA approved the paper industry’s petition to create the research and promotional board.

Congrats, to An and Tonie on their new appointments, and thanks to all of the women dedicating time to advocate for the print and packaging industry supply chain.

Women serving on Boards of Directors governing corporations, associations, or charitable organization is a hot topic, and one that Women in Print Alliance will delve into in the coming year. If you’re a woman who has or its currently serving on a Board of Directors and would be willing to contribute your thoughts to an upcoming article, please contact us.