In an industry where innovation, collaboration, and leadership set the pace for progress, the Paperboard Packaging Council’s (PPC) second annual PPC Next: Leadership Summit proved that the future is in capable hands. Held July 30–August 1, 2025, at the Omni Frisco at The Star in Frisco, TX, the summit brought together managers, directors, and executives from across the folding carton sector for two days of immersive learning, candid dialogue, and cross-industry networking.
Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural event, PPC Next 2025 delivered a deeper focus on practical leadership skills, cross-functional collaboration, and workforce strategies that can be applied immediately on plant floors, in design, sales offices, and boardrooms. Participants left with the clarity, confidence, and connections to lead with greater impact—for their teams, their companies, and the industry at large.
“PPC Next is more than an event; it’s an investment in the people who will carry our industry forward,” said Emily Leonczyk, Executive Director and Vice President, PPC. “Leadership isn’t built in a day, but when you bring together talented professionals, give them the tools, the space, and the community to learn from one another, you create a ripple effect that transforms companies. The conversations and commitments that happened here will show up in real, tangible ways for years to come.”
The summit opened with Ann Bowers‑Evangelista, Psy.D., MBA, President of Llumos, delivering The Endurance Leader: Leadership Longevity in a World of Quick Wins. Drawing on her expertise as both an executive coach and Ironman triathlete, Ann challenged attendees to view leadership as a marathon rather than a sprint. She offered strategies to pace themselves, manage energy, and adapt leadership styles over time—providing practical tools for avoiding burnout, sustaining motivation through uncertainty, and maintaining high performance during prolonged periods of change.
An Industry Leadership Panel followed, featuring Roy Hibbs of Southern Champion Tray, Hilda Murray of TPC Printing & Packaging, and Eric Frank of Koenig & Bauer (US/CA), in an open, unscripted conversation about career‑defining moments, lessons learned from setbacks, and approaches to developing and retaining top talent. “One of the most powerful things about PPC Next is how it breaks down silos,” said Hilda Murray, Vice Chair of PPC’s Board of Directors. “We had people from operations, design, sales, and leadership all in the same room, sharing the real challenges they face and the lessons they’ve learned. When you hear those stories, you realize how much we can learn from one another—and that leadership is a journey we’re better off taking together.”
The PPC Next Industry panel.
After lunch, Dan Irvin, professional speaker and author, brought his signature energy to 3 Habits of Consciously Intentional Leaders. Using his SMARTEST Goals framework, Dan coached participants to move from reactive “firefighting” toward proactive, purpose-driven leadership. Attendees worked through real-world scenarios to align daily actions with strategic goals, cut through distractions, and build habits that inspire team performance—leaving with actionable plans ready to implement.
Dan Irvin with attendees.
The day closed with A Day in My Life: Real Talk Discussions, led by Tiffany Koettel, President of Growth Mindset Sales. Opening with a panel featuring Arika Stoecker of Case Paper Company, Patrick Debusk of Frankston Packaging Company, and Al Horn of Pusterla US, the session delved into the realities of leadership across roles. Breakout groups tackled topics like communication, collaboration, mindset, and operational discipline, producing a wealth of practical takeaways—from building cultures of safety and trust to ensuring clarity and consistency in leadership.
A Day in My Life panel.
Shared truths emerged: conflict doesn’t age well, cross-training is a culture move (not a checkbox), and the speed of communication often determines the speed of trust. Leaders underscored the importance of modeling calm, focused leadership during high-pressure moments and the value of building systems that strengthen culture every day, not just when it’s convenient. The session closed with Tiffany’s reminder that great leadership is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions together.
Day Two was devoted to a full-scale Radical Candor workshop, led by executive coach Mike Pugh and based on Kim Scott’s bestselling book. Arriving prepared with pre-work, attendees learned how to challenge directly while personally caring, balancing honesty and empathy to build trust and drive performance. Through role‑plays, group coaching, and facilitator-led debriefs, participants practiced navigating difficult conversations, avoiding pitfalls like “ruinous empathy” and “obnoxious aggression,” and embedding feedback into daily operations. Each attendee left with a toolkit, complete with rollout plans and conversation prompts, to help implement Radical Candor in their own organizations.
PPC Next 2025 was made possible through the commitment of its sponsors: Valco Melton (Event Sponsor), Joe Piper, Inc. (Program Sponsor), and Metsä Board Americas Corporation (Giveaway Sponsor). Their investment helped deliver high-quality programming, create memorable networking moments, and keep the experience alive for attendees long after the summit ended.
To keep the learning going, PPC has compiled a suite of post-event resources available here
“The level of openness, collaboration, and curiosity we saw this year was extraordinary,” Leonczyk concluded. “It proves our industry’s leaders aren’t just ready to adapt—they’re ready to drive meaningful change. When we invest in leadership, we invest in the future of folding cartons.”
