Larry Anker

Solenis

Presentation: Engaging/Retaining Engineers in the Pulp Industry

Larry Anker is a Director of Commercial Excellence at Solenis. He earned a B.S. Degree in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at Washington and Lee University in 1986 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Penn State University in 1992.  He began his professional career in the paper industry at International Paper’s Erie Research Center in the corporate papermaking process chemistry group.  In 1998, he moved to Ashland’s Drew Industrial Research Center.  Anker has held various positions in his 25 years at Ashland/Solenis including polymer chemistry group leader, applications lab manager, Functional chemistry applications group leader and Director of Applications.

Larry is currently serving on TAPPI’s Board of Directors. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering at Western Michigan University.  He was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 1987 and was selected as a TAPPI Fellow in 2012.  He is the former chair of the TAPPI Paper and Board Division as well as the Additives committee.  He served as chair of the Centennial Celebration Steering Committee (PaperCon 2015).  He is an active member of Student Summit Steering Committee and is a current instructor for TAPPI’s Introduction to Wet End Chemistry course.  Larry resides in Sparta, New Jersey with his wife Wendy and daughters Abbi and Josie.

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Karin Dernegård

Södra Cell Monsteras

Presentation: How to Create a Thriving Environment that Encourages Development and Growth for both People and Processes

 

Karin Dernegård is the mill manager at Södra Cell Monsteras, located in southern Sweden. Karin started her career as an engineer in a pulp mill and has held various positions within the mill including process development, production and operational excellence. Realizing the importance of engaging people in order to making a difference, she shifted her career focus to management. 

Karin is passionate about creating efficiency and development by combining technology with people.  

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Brooke Kaskey

WestRock

Presentation: Early Career Recruiting Trends & Engagement Strategies

Brooke Kaskey is the Sr. Early Career Development Manager at WestRock. In her role, Brooke leads teams that recruit and support Early Career Programs across the organization (Campus/University, Vocational & Veteran & Military Programs).

She is an experienced Talent Management professional who has held roles of increasing responsibility in Talent Acquisition and Talent Development since joining the paper industry in 2011. While at Georgia-Pacific for 9 years, she focused on recruiting, program management, and leading & training teams. She transitioned to WestRock in 2020.

Brooke is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where she received her Bachelor of Science and M.Ed. in Education.

Brooke is passionate about development and building strategic and diverse talent pipelines!

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Nicolás Gordon

CMPC

Presentation: Latam Trends and Challenges Around Sustainability & Innovation in the Forest Sector 

Nicolás Gordon holds a Civil Engineering degree from the Universidad Católica de Chile and received a M.Sc. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in New York City. From 2007 he worked in the areas of green building, energy and sustainability in the hospitality industry. In 2014, Nicolás joined the Office of Sustainability at New York University, where most notably he directed the Green Grants program, which provided funding for projects and research that drive sustainability. Since 2018, he serves as VP of Sustainability at CMPC where he leads the design and implementation of the Sustainability and ESG strategies for the company. In 2022, he was appointed as Vice President of the UN Global Compact local network of Chile. He is married and has three children.