The IoPP Chicago Chapter is a group of packaging professionals dedicated to connecting with and learning from industry experts in Chicago and its surrounding areas.

Through various social events, speakers, industry tours, and more, we seek to help members grow personally and professionally.

The Chicago Chapter has a strong history within the IoPP, and we want to restore the group to what it once was.

We hope you will join us! 

Have questions? Contact us at ioppchicago@gmail.com.


Chicago Chapter Leadership

President: Ryan Dick

Ryan is a Principal Packaging Engineer at Treehouse Foods, based out of Chicago.  He works on the confections and snacks side of the business on the Global Packaging Innovation team.  Ryan received his packaging degree from Michigan State University and a MBA with a Marketing focus from Central Michigan University.

Prior to joining Treehouse Foods, Ryan worked at Mars, HAVI, Estee Lauder and Unilever – all in packaging development roles.  Additionally, Ryan also served three years on the MSU School of Packaging Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Secretary: Quyen Gerleman

Treasurer: Tim Backe

Tim is a packaging engineer at Now Foods headquartered in Bloomingdale, IL working on packaging for vitamins, supplements, protein powders, sports nutrition, and personal care items. Tim received his degree in Packaging from Rochester Institute of Technology.

He has packaging and product development experience in a variety of industries including medical, pharma, oral care, food, injection molding, and currently nutraceuticals.  Tim has been on the board of IoPP in various positions for the past 10 years and most recently as the chapter president.

Membership and Hospitality Chair: Sarah Webber

Sarah is a Sustainable Packaging Engineer at Plastic Ingenuity, a custom thermoformer headquartered near Madison, Wisconsin. Sarah graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2022 with a degree in Packaging, with a focus in Graphic Design and Printing Processes.

Before joining the Plastic Ingenuity team, Sarah interned for ICU Medical, Oliver Healthcare Packaging, and Smiths Medical. In addition to her involvement with IoPP, Sarah is a member of KiiP (Kilmer Innovations in Packaging) and Society of Women Engineers

Events Chair: Kimberly Sheehy

Kim is a regulatory affairs manager at McCormick & Company, serving remotely from the Chicago area as the food contact regulatory subject matter expert. She earned her MS in biochemistry from Northern Illinois University and worked in research laboratories before transitioning to the regulatory field.

Prior to joining McCormick, Kim served as a regulatory expert at Intertek where she provided food contact regulatory compliance and chemical safety consultation services to global clients across the supply chain. The diverse nature of consulting work has provided Kim with a unique perspective of the various compliance issues and responsibilities that companies face, allowing her to more effectively manage how food packaging safety and compliance are accomplished at McCormick.

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