PKN proudly presents the winners of the 2026 Women in Packaging Awards.
Celebrated at an inspiring awards ceremony in Melbourne on 25 June, this year's winners reflect the depth of talent, leadership and innovation driving the Australasian packaging industry. Congratulations to all our winners – and to all the finalists, who continue to raise the bar for our industry.

Communications & Marketing Excellence

WINNER

Julia Casey
Packserv

Julia Casey led a campaign repositioning locally manufactured packaging machinery as a strategic investment in reliability, productivity, and operational continuity. Through customer-led storytelling, data-driven case studies, and multi-channel communications, she challenged price-focused purchasing decisions, strengthened Packserv’s market presence, and helped shift industry conversations toward long-term performance, serviceability, and support for Australian manufacturing.

FINALISTS

Anna Dreyer
Heat and Control

Gemma Duff
East Coast Canning & Printing

Nicole Krupp
Canon Production Printing Australia

Design and Branding Excellence

WINNER

Gwen Blake
Boxer Brands

Gwen Blake has shaped packaging and brand transformations for major FMCG businesses across Australia, using design as a commercial tool to strengthen recognition, simplify choice, and build long-term brand value. Through projects including Woolworths Christmas, Brownes Dairy, and Perfection Fresh, her strategic and behaviour-led approach has delivered stronger shelf impact, consumer connection, and scalable brand systems.

FINALISTS

Madeleine Barnett
Koala

Nicole Ohm
Brownes Dairy

“Recognition matters. Visibility matters. Role models matter. When people can see what is possible, they begin to imagine what might be possible for themselves. That is how industries grow stronger. That is how future leaders emerge.”

Lindy Hughson, PKN Publisher and MC

Manufacturing Leader

WINNER

Sarah Coleman
J&P Flexographics

Sarah Coleman implemented the FSSC 22000 food safety and quality management system across J&P Flexographics, embedding stronger process discipline, traceability, and continuous improvement into daily manufacturing operations. Her leadership helped establish a quality-first culture, improve first-time quality performance to above 99 per cent, and strengthen the business’s operational reliability and food packaging credibility.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Helen Tutton
Amcor

Helen Tutton implemented a psychosocial safety program across Amcor’s ANZ business, embedding mental wellbeing into everyday health and safety practices. Through structured training, leadership engagement, and the creation of a Mental Wellbeing Safety Committee, she helped build a more supportive manufacturing culture while improving awareness, confidence, and response capability around mental health and psychosocial safety.

FINALISTS

Shirley Fitzsimons
Clearpack Flexible Packaging

Anina Immelman
Opal

Norwind Khor
Amcor

Miryl Parker
Amcor

Maria Perez Gomez
Orora

Deanne Holdsworth
Pact Group

Frauke Tyrrell
NCI Packaging

Packaging Technology Leader

WINNER

Michaela Cooke
Ego Pharmaceuticals

Michaela Cooke drove the packaging relaunch of Ego Pharmaceuticals’ Elucent skincare range, introducing recycle-ready packaging solutions that combined sustainability, product protection, and manufacturing efficiency. Through mono-material packaging, recyclable dispensing systems, PCR integration, and production line improvements, she delivered a technically advanced packaging portfolio that strengthened recyclability while maintaining premium clinical presentation and product performance.

FINALISTS

Francesca Puleio
Phantm

Liza Vernalls
Yates Group

“Three years in, and Women in Packaging Awards has gone from strength to strength – demonstrating real leadership and giving genuine voice to the professional expertise and talent that exists within our industry.”

Zaidee Jackson, Judge and Sustainability & Compliance Manager, Ball & Doggett

Rising Star

WINNER

Tahlia Graetz
Orora Glass

Tahlia Graetz has rapidly emerged as a future manufacturing leader at Orora Glass, contributing to the commissioning of Australia’s largest operating glass furnace and delivering operational improvements across inspection and palletising systems. Her leadership in capability building, preventative maintenance, and sustainability-focused manufacturing has strengthened reliability, team performance, and emissions reduction outcomes across the site.

FINALISTS

Madeleine Barnett
Koala

Ramya Bijesh
Aesthetics Skincare

Emma Edwards
Aesthetics Skincare

Maisha Maliha
Yates Group

Marian O’Leary
Mainland Dairy

Tara O’Brien
Opal

Rhea Singh
Planet Protector Group

Kelsey Smith
Birunji

Ola Wicik
Opal Packaging

STEM Explorer

WINNER

Lauren Wood
Opal

Lauren Wood has driven major STEM-led sustainability transformation at Opal through the implementation of the company’s first enterprise-wide Environmental Management System and Water Sustainability Strategy. Combining expertise in chemistry, environmental science, and pulp and paper manufacturing, she has strengthened data-driven environmental management, improved sustainability reporting, and advanced responsible sourcing and operational performance across the business.

FINALISTS

Ann Anthony
Pilz Australia

Cathy Parra
Opal

Vernah Rajiah
TNA Solutions

Sustainability Leader

WINNER

Jasmine Medwell
Woolworths Group

Jasmine Medwell is driving large-scale circular economy initiatives across Australia through her work at Woolworths Group. She has led the rollout of in-store soft plastics collection and container deposit scheme kiosks nationwide, while also helping shape Woolworths’ new 2030 target to achieve an average of 30 per cent recycled content across own-brand plastic packaging.

FINALISTS

Rebecca Percasky & Kate Bezar
Better Packaging Co.

Abigail Davey
Orora

Shannon Doherty-Andall
Australian Beverages Council

Hannah Glover
Close The Loop

Jessica Hegarty
ITW Construction-Building Solutions

Christie Kamphuis
Bettercup

Priscilla Lepoutre
Amcor

Lea Maguero
BioPak Group

Wendy Penn
Disruptive Packaging

Nancy Wei
Pact Group

Flavia Vaz
Tetra Pak

Hall of Fame

Frauke Tyrell
NCI Packaging

Frauke Tyrrell has built a career defined by innovation, operational excellence and a passion for advancing packaging manufacturing. She has consistently championed new technologies, challenged conventional thinking, and helped strengthen local manufacturing capability through strategic investment and leadership. Among her achievements has been the introduction of one of the world’s most advanced digital metal decoration technologies, the first of its kind in Australasia. Through her presidency of the International Packaging Association, she has fostered global connections and helped bring international knowledge, technologies and best practice to our region, ensuring local industry remains connected to world-leading innovation.