Packaging SYMPOSIUM

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHO'S COMING TO TOWN?

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHO'S COMING TO TOWN?

Packaging
Symposium 2026:
Smarter, Greener, Resilient Packaging Systems

Hosted by METPack and The Center of Packaging Innovation and Sustainability, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is proud to present its 3rd annual Packaging Symposium on February 20th! This event is designed to foster connections between TMU students, alumni and packaging professionals while providing valuable insights from industry leaders. Centered around the theme of Smarter, Greener, and Resilient Packaging Systems, this year’s symposium will explore the latest advancements, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of packaging.

SYMPOSIUM EVENT DETAILS

The day’s agenda will feature engaging discussions exploring dynamic roles and innovations in packaging, as well as the evolving relationship between the packaging and educational industries. We are pleased to welcome speakers representing a diverse range of industry sectors, offering valuable perspectives.

Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided to ensure a comfortable and welcoming environment for learning, discussion, and networking throughout the day.

Registration will open soon, and space is limited. We encourage early registration to secure your spot. Additional details regarding the venue and full program will be shared with registered attendees.

Join us as we explore the future of packaging innovation and education. Your participation is key to making this symposium a success!

REGISTRATION

If you're a TMU student, staff or faculty member, please register using the link below:

For non-TMU members, please register with this link:

DATE & LOCATION

Venue

Toronto Metropolitan University

Rogers Communication Centre

80 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 2M7

The Catalyst (RCC 223)

Date & Time

February 20, 2026

9:00 am – 6:30 pm

Schedule

8:30-9:00 | The Catalyst

Registration

9:00-9:20 | RCC204

Opening Ceremony by Will Snyder

9:20-9:45 | RCC204

Advancing Packaging Education and Research in Canada: Industry–Academic Collaboration through CPIS Presentation by Dr. Jay Park

9:45-10:25 | RCC204

From Classroom to Career: Packaging Education for Industry and Students in Canada Panel Discussion with Angela Dennis, James Lee, JF Guillerez & Marc Hyman, led by Jason Cole

10:25-10:45 | The Catalyst

Coffee Break

10:45-11:10 | RCC204

Sustainability: Consideration of all Factors Affecting Selection of Materials Presentation by Oksana Lapierre & Molly Fremes

11:10-11:35 | RCC204

The Journey Towards Sustainable Poultry Packaging Presentation by Yena Shin

11:35-12:00 | RCC204

Reimagining Packaging from the Inside Out with Bio-Based Materials Presentation by Dr. Ehsan Behzadfar

12:00-13:00 | The Catalyst

Lunch

13:00-13:25 | RCC204

Purpose in Practice: Navigating Sustainability Through Design Presentation by Ken Li & Kathryn Bell

13:25-13:50 | RCC204

Shaping Sustainable Systems in Retail Presentation by Prudence Villanueva

13:50-14:15 | RCC204

From Forest to Fuction: Scandinavian Paper-Based Handles for Smarter, Sustainable Packaging Systems Presentation by Andrea Carlson

14:15-14:40 | RCC204

Sustainability of Wood Pallets in Canada Presentation by Janine LeFort

14:40-15:00 | The Catalyst

Coffee Break

15:00-15:25 | RCC204

Tims for Good–Tim Hortons' Packaging Sustainability Strategy Presentation by Carl Botha

15:25-15:50 | RCC204

The Environmental Viability of Direct-to-Consumer Honeycrisp Apple Shipments: A Holistic Assessment of Packaging-Food Loss Dynamics and Sustainability Presentation by Breanna Schuler

15:50-16:15 | RCC204

Preparing the Next Generation of Packaging Professionals: A Student-Led Perspective Presentation by Melissa Chow & Sara Khan

16:15-16:30 | RCC204

Closing Ceremony by Dr. Jay Park

16:30-17:00 | The Catalyst

Poster Presentations by TMU Students

17:00-18:00 | The Catalyst

Networking Session

Symposium Speakers
2026:

Centre for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability (CPIS)

Dr. Jay Park

CPIS Director | PhD | Associate Professor

Topic of Presentation -
Shaping the Future of Packaging in Canada: Research and Curriculum Innovations at TMU

Dr. Jonghun (Jay) Park is an Associate Professor of The Creative School/Environmental Applied Science and Management and the Director of The Centre for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability at Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada. His research program primarily focuses on sustainable packaging systems and design, packaging distribution, life cycle assessment, and packaging-human factors. Dr. Park has worked on several research projects supported by government/public research agencies such as National Science and Engineering Council of Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, and Mitacs, as well as many industry partners. Before joining the university, he worked at Samsung Electronics and HP as a senior engineer, coordinating several packaging development and optimization projects for global electronics product distribution.

Dr. Ehsan Behzadfar

Sustainable Polymers Research Lab Director | PhD | Associate Professor

Topic of Presentation -
Reimagining Packaging from the Inside Out with Bio-Based Materials

Dr. Ehsan Behzadfar is an Associate Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University specializing in sustainable polymer and bio-composite materials for packaging applications. As Director of the Sustainable Polymers Research Lab, his work is dedicated to developing eco-conscious, functional materials for the future of sustainable packaging.

Breanna Schuler

Graduate Research Assistant

Topic of Presentation -
The Environmental Viability of Direct-to-Consumer Honeycrisp Apple Shipments: A Holistic Assessment of Packaging-Food Loss Dynamics and Sustainability

Breanna is a recent graduate of TMU’s Environmental Applied Science and Management program and a GCM alumna. With experience as both a Research Assistant and Outreach Coordinator at CPIS, she is dedicated to advancing packaging sustainability and circular economy principles. Breanna has published and presented her research in high-impact journals and on international stages, and is an active participant in community food rescue initiatives.

Canadian Tire

Oksana Lapierre

Principal Structural Packaging Designer

Topic of Presentation -
Sustainability: Consideration of all Factors Affecting Selection of Materials

Oksana Lapierre is the Principal Structural Packaging Designer at Canadian Tire Corporation where she is responsible for managing structural packaging, including implementation of sustainable packaging for CT’s Own Brands. In addition, she investigates and resolves supply chain damage, develops transit test protocols and works closely with diverse cross-functional teams and external stakeholders. She is a member of IOPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals) and holds the designation of CPP (Certified Packaging Professional).

Maple Lodge Farms

Yena Shin

Packaging R&D Coordinator | IoPP Ontario Chapter Secretary

Topic of Presentation -
The Journey Towards Sustainable Poultry Packaging

Yena is a packaging professional currently working for the Packaging R&D team at Maple Lodge Farms. She previously gained experience as a Packaging R&D Assistant Researcher at Conestoga’s Centre for Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CFRIL). She holds a degree from Kyung Hee University and graduated with Distinction from the Packaging Engineering Technician program at Conestoga College. As a CPIT-certified packaging specialist, she manages technical and sustainable packaging projects within the poultry industry. Alongside her professional role, Yena serves as the Secretary for the IoPP Ontario Chapter.

DECIEM, The Abnormal Beauty Company (The Ordinary)

Ken Li

Global Head of Packaging Design

Topic of Presentation -
Purpose in Practice: Navigating Sustainability through Design

Ken pursues his passion for Packaging Design through 15+ years and leads a team of graphic and industrial designers to manage new product and packaging development at DECIEM. He works in a multi-disciplinary field among brand managers, chemists, supply chain specialists, and sustainability professionals to ensure every product launched aligns with our brand vision, supporting formula efficacy and stability, and working towards environmental sustainability targets. He graduated from OCAD University with a BDes, and began his journey in the consumer-packaged goods industry working on Coca-Cola Canada brands, including Minute Maid, Powerade, Fanta, and vitaminwater.

Kathryn Bell

Associate Manager of Environmental Sustainability

Topic of Presentation -
Purpose in Practice: Navigating Sustainability through Design

Kathryn Bell is an environmental sustainability professional specializing in sustainable packaging, data analytics, and reductions in corporate environmental impact. She leads initiatives across packaging, waste, energy, and logistics, developing cross-functional partnerships, enterprise-wide KPIs, and data tools to support evidence-based decision-making. Her work has driven increased recycled content in packaging, improved waste diversion, and greenhouse gas reductions across global operations. She holds a BASc in Biochemical Engineering from Queen's University and a Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) from Western University.

Staples Canada

Prudence Villanueva

Manager of Sustainability Strategy

Topic of Presentation -
Shaping Sustainable Systems in Retail

Prudence Villanueva specializes in the intersection of packaging, sustainability, and communications. As Manager of Sustainability Strategy at Staples Canada, she leads major initiatives across its B2B and B2C portfolio. She holds a MASc in Environmental Applied Science and Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, where her research explored how carbon eco‑label design influences attention and perception on packaging. This complemented her contributions to the Sustainable Packaging Research Lab (SuPar Lab), having worked on projects that centered on sustainable packaging label systems and consumer behaviour. During her graduate studies, she received the 2024 Emerging Scholar Award and a Mitacs Accelerate award, supported undergraduate GCM courses, and gained industry experience in advertising (Cheil Canada), and pharmaceutical packaging (Pharmascience). She also earned a Bachelor of Technology in Graphic Communications Management, specializing in packaging and minoring in Communication Design. During her undergraduate years, she gained hands-on experience as a Marketing Intern at TerraCycle Canada, and was part of a GCM808 team that earned an AmeriStar Student Packaging Design Award at the 2022 IoPP student awards, the largest packaging association in North America.

Prudence Villanueva (linkedin)_edited.jpg

Persson Innovation

Andreas Carlson

Persson CEO & President

Topic of Presentation -
From Forest to Function: Scandinavian Paper-Based Handles for Smarter, Sustainable Packaging Systems

Andreas Carlson is the CEO of Persson, a Swedish company specializing in paper-based carrying handles for consumer packaging. With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and fiber-based materials, he leads the company’s efforts to replace conventional plastic components with renewable, recyclable alternatives.
Andreas has extensive experience working with global brand owners and packaging manufacturers. His leadership is rooted in Scandinavian design principles, emphasizing functionality, simplicity, and long-term responsibility.
Through close collaboration across the value chain, Andreas and Persson work to develop practical, scalable solutions that meet both environmental and performance requirements. He is passionate about demonstrating how thoughtful engineering and material choices, particularly in smaller packaging components, can contribute to meaningful sustainability outcomes on a global scale.

Tim Hortons

Carl Botha

Senior Manager of Sustainability & Packaging

Topic of Presentation -
Tims for Food - Tim Hortons' Packaging Sustainability Strategy

Carl is the Sr. Manager, Sustainability & Packaging for Tim Hortons and board member of the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association. He’s been recognized with a Corporate Knights Top 30 under 30 award and is a multiple-award winner at PAC Global, including for developing 100% PCR returnable packaging and a plastic-free fibre lid. Through his work he’s led changes that have eliminated 2 billion+ single use plastics and 7,000 tonnes of packaging material a year. He led Tim Hortons in becoming PFAS free in 2021, and in 2023 created one of the industry’s largest formal food waste diversion programs with Too Good To Go. He is Restaurant Brand International’s global subject matter expert on packaging sustainability and helps lead the business’ commitment to reduce plastic content by 10% by the end of 2026 vs 2023.