Packaging professionals know a great idea is only half the battle. The challenge is turning that idea into a successful launch, especially with shifting consumer preferences, tighter regulations, and internal roadblocks standing in the way.

Why do so many promising packaging innovations fall short? What makes others break through and win?

In this panel, leaders from Mars Wrigley, Molson Coors, Kimberly-Clark, and Curion will share their experiences navigating the most challenging hurdles in packaging development. From the shrinking center of store to dye mandates and fragmented regulations, we'll tackle the real-world complexities that slow innovation down and how to overcome them.

You'll get practical strategies to de-risk ideas with data-backed consumer testing, streamline cross-functional collaboration, and integrate packaging earlier into product development for stronger business cases.

If you've ever faced the frustration of a stalled packaging project, this conversation will give you fresh tools to move forward. Walk away with insights to help your team deliver packaging that performs at launch and in-market. Register now!

IoPP member price

FREE

Affiliate and non-member price

$99

Become a member today!

Meet the moderator and speaker

Chris Rowe
Innovation Leader

Chris is an accomplished innovation leader with over 30 years of experience driving growth for world-class brands, including Gatorade, Extra Gum, and M&M's. He recently retired from Mars Inc. as the Global Innovation & Technology Officer for the Mars Wrigley business and now leverages his expertise to guide and advise innovative companies. 

Kari Mannina Senior Managing Director, PV&COHO

With 15 years of experience in sales and account management, Kari has worked with Fortune 100 brands across the CPG and foodservice sectors. Her expertise in market research, strategy, and digital marketing helped grow a business from $20 million to $70 million in just four years, and has also led key accounts at Mintel, supporting the top CPG manufacturers and suppliers in the food and beauty sectors.

Meet the panelists

Charles Ho Fung
Senior Innovation Design & Tech Enabler, Molson Coors Beverage Company

Charles knows how to turn packaging ideas into real-world solutions. With two decades of experience in beverage packaging, Charles leads cross-functional teams at Molson Coors to integrate new technologies and smart design. From packaging and dispensing systems to structural innovation, Charles is hands-on in shaping the company's innovation pipeline. He is a multi-patented inventor with a deep background in materials science, industrial design, and commercialization. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design from the Pratt Institute and an Executive MBA in International Business from Georgia State University.

Paola Appendini, CPP
Principal, Global Packaging Innovations, Mars Wrigley

Paola has spent her career pushing the boundaries of packaging R&D in the food industry. Originally from Mexico City, her passion for food science and packaging started at UNAM and led to a PhD from Cornell. Now a Global Principal Engineer at Mars, Paola leads teams developing sustainable materials and digital-ready packaging solutions. She's also a trusted mentor, helping teams turn ideas into real-world impact. Before joining Mars, she led packaging innovation efforts at PepsiCo and Kraft Foods.

Keren Novack
President, Curion

As President of Curion, Keren leads the company with a sharp focus on client partnerships and research excellence. Her career has been built on learning and collaboration, rising from account manager to the top leadership role. Since her early days at Tragon, Keren has been instrumental in shaping Curion's culture, expanding its reach, and upholding the highest standards in consumer insights.

Kenyata Martin
Brand Growth & Innovation Lead – Baby & Child Care, Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Kenyata leads long-term brand and innovation strategy for Kimberly-Clark's $3 billion baby and childcare portfolio, including Huggies and Pull-Ups. With leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Shell, and Nestlé, he brings deep experience building consumer brands that center on real people.

Want more content?