Leah Whitus

I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and started my career in packaging working on Windex, where I installed equipment and worked on streamlining and line efficiencies. Throughout my 30-plus year career, I've been in the packaging world, progressing from engineering roles up to the director level at a small organization. I've done extensive international travel, managed people and projects all over the world, and worked on some really exciting initiatives. One of my most notable achievements was working on a Greenfield startup of a facility in South Carolina - I came on when the walls were still under construction and stayed through completion. We finished ahead of schedule and under budget, which was incredibly rewarding. I also set up contract manufacturing in China, making multiple trips to work with manufacturers there to supply product throughout the world. That was a culturally enlightening experience that really helped me learn and grow. I went from my previous company to Sunoco, which was then bought by Topan, where I've been for 10 years now. I started at Topan in manufacturing, particularly with quality and complaints, then got promoted to the commercial side of the business. Currently, I work in packaging design and development, mostly with the format of the structure, and my team focuses on the Mondelez account, which includes brands like Oreo, Ritz, Chips Ahoy, and Sour Patch Kids. One of the biggest projects we've done recently was launching a brand new seasonal Halloween item with glow-in-the-dark inks, which I helped manage and coordinate from start to finish.