Left to right: Hilda Murray (TPC Printing & Packaging), Ben Markens (outgoing President of the Paperboard Packaging Council) and Emily Leonczyk (President of the Paperboard Packaging Council).
The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) enters 2026 with renewed focus and momentum, announcing new leadership while preparing to honour a longtime industry champion at its upcoming Spring Outlook & Strategies Conference in Louisville, KY, from March 25-27, 2026.
Effective January 1, Emily Leonczyk has assumed the role of President of PPC, marking a new chapter for the association as it advances its mission to grow, promote, and protect the North American paperboard packaging industry.
Since joining PPC leadership as Executive Director and Vice President, Leonczyk has worked closely with the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and member companies to reaffirm the association’s purpose and strengthen its role as the trusted authority for the paperboard packaging industry. Her work has focused on clarifying PPC’s role: to serve as the industry’s collective voice, expert resource, and convening table for converters and suppliers navigating an increasingly complex marketplace.
PPC members represent a broad cross-section of converters and suppliers who are navigating an evolving consumer packaging market. Coming off a year marked by cautious consumer behavior and an uncertain environment, companies are responding to shifting brand expectations, heightened sustainability requirements, and rising expectations for customer service and speed-to-market. At the same time, converters are focused on driving growth, strengthening operational excellence, and building a resilient workforce pipeline for the future.
“Our members are the voice of the folding carton and rigid box industries, and my top priority is making sure there is a seat at the table for their perspectives, experience, and shared challenges,” Leonczyk said. “Their collective learning helps us grow and protect the industry for the benefit of all. This is an important moment for fibre-based packaging as brands and consumers look for impactful, sustainable solutions. PPC’s role is not to overpromise outcomes, but to bring people together, foster informed dialogue, and share trusted insight so our members can navigate change and move forward together.”
Leonczyk will focus on elevating collaboration among PPC stakeholders, aligning leadership around shared priorities, and sharpening the association’s delivery of clear, relevant member value while preserving the culture that has defined the organization for nearly one hundred years.
Alongside this leadership transition, PPC is pleased to announce the election of Hilda S. Murray, Executive Vice President and Owner of TPC Printing & Packaging, as Chair of the PPC Board of Directors. A respected leader and advocate for independent converters, Murray brings decades of business and industry experience to the role. Under her leadership, TPC Printing & Packaging, a 100-year-old, family-owned folding carton converter based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has evolved through multiple industry transformations while maintaining a reputation for craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability.
“Hilda represents the very best of our industry,” Leonczyk said. “Her understanding of the challenges converters face today, paired with her passion for people and innovation, makes her an ideal leader to guide PPC through this next chapter.”
Throughout her career, Murray has championed new technologies and sustainable materials, helping ensure her company remains competitive and resilient in a changing marketplace. As Board Chair, she will help guide PPC’s strategic direction while supporting education, advocacy, workforce development, and sustainability initiatives that strengthen the entire paperboard packaging value chain.
“It’s an honour to serve as PPC’s Board Chair at such a pivotal time,” Murray said. “Converters share a spirit of creativity and collaboration that drives continuous improvement. My goal is to support our members through change, celebrate one another’s success, and keep the industry moving forward together.”
Supporting PPC’s leadership is a dedicated Executive Committee that provides governance and strategic oversight on behalf of the association. Under Murray’s leadership as Chair, the committee includes Brian Janki (PaperWorks), Secretary; Lisa Pruett (RRD Packaging Solutions), Treasurer; and Members at Large Eric Malnove (Malnove Packaging Solutions) and Sam Shoemaker (Smurfit Westrock). The Executive Committee works closely with PPC leadership and the Board of Directors to guide strategic priorities, uphold organizational accountability, and ensure strong stewardship of member value.
In addition to these leadership announcements, PPC is proud to share that Ben Markens, outgoing PPC President and longtime industry leader, will be honoured with the Robert T. Gair Award for Lifetime Achievement at PPC’s Spring Meeting in Louisville this March.
Markens’ career reflects decades of dedication to the paperboard packaging industry, grounded in hands-on operational experience and a deep commitment to the converter community. His background spans the full spectrum of folding carton manufacturing, from plant-level operations to executive leadership, giving him a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing converters.
In 2008, Markens was invited to lead PPC, an organization he had long supported through volunteer service. Under his leadership, PPC revitalised its membership, strengthened its industry voice, and reestablished itself as a trusted authority for paperboard packaging converters and suppliers across North America.
Throughout his tenure, Markens championed PPC’s role as the industry’s trusted authority and leading resource for insight and leadership. He played a pivotal role in expanding benchmarking programs, strengthening advocacy efforts, and fostering a culture of collaboration that encouraged members to learn from one another and lead together.
“Ben’s impact on PPC and the industry is profound,” Leonczyk said. “He brought clarity, conviction, and a deep respect for the people who make this industry work. His leadership strengthened PPC not just as an organization, but as a community.”
As PPC looks ahead to 2026, the association does so with confidence, guided by new leadership, strengthened by continuity, and grounded in a shared commitment to expertise, collaboration, and community.
PPC’s leadership announcements and industry recognition will be celebrated at the 2026 PPC Spring Outlook & Strategies Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at the Omni Louisville in Louisville, KY. Members and industry partners are encouraged to register now at www.paperbox.org/spring
