POLY PACK SYMPOSIUM
SPEAKERS
TITO CAIRO
Packaging Engineer, Edwards Life Sciences
Tito is a Principal Engineer at Edwards Lifesciences with over 16 years of experience in the medical device industry. Throughout his career he worked in sustaining packaging leading internal teams navigate cost reduction projects, new equipment acquisition and compliance remediation. He also worked as a new product development engineer for packaging where he helped teams launching novel technologies. Currently, he steered his career towards packaging sustainability, helping the packaging team create a portfolio with more sustainable solutions.
Sustainability a Driver for Innovation in Edwards
Presentation will explain how sustainability global regulations are driving innovation in the medical device industry. Share case studies that show how Edwards is innovating to meet the sustainability requirements.
KATE COUSINO
Senior Packaging Engineer, PepsiCo
Kate Cousino is a Senior Packaging Engineer at PepsiCo on the Sustainability Commercialization team. She holds a B.S. from Michigan State University in Applied Engineering Sciences with a concentration in Packaging and minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. During her five years at PepsiCo, Kate has also spent time on the Gatorade Innovation and Technical Brand Stewardship & Productivity Packaging teams. For nearly three years, she has been a chairperson on the PepsiCo Packaging Co-Op team; she is passionate about providing an educational and fun six-month experience where university students are immersed into the corporate world of CPG Packaging.
How PepsiCo Enables Sustainable Packaging  
PepsiCo utilizes new technology, innovation, and digital transformation to deliver a bold sustainability agenda. The pep+ agenda strives to achieve a global portfolio where packaging never becomes waste. As one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, we are committed to environmental longevity, while continuing to create more smiles with every sip and bite.
JAY CRESPO
Packaging & Sustainability Engineer, META
Jay is a Packaging and Mechanical Engineer at Meta's Reality Labs, where he focuses on making technology more sustainable. He collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop and characterize solutions that reduce carbon emissions and drive environmental responsibility. Prior to Meta, Jay led packaging engineering and sustainability initiatives at Amazon Lab126, aligning with Amazon's Climate Pledge. His experience spans consumer electronics, medical devices, and life sciences, bringing a unique perspective to the field. Jay holds several packaging related patents and partnered to invent the first a recyclable paper cooler (US Patent # 9,139,319). He serves on Cal Poly's Packaging Program Advisory Board and boasts over two decades of industry expertise. Jay is an alumnus of Cal Poly SLO
JESSE FRANCO
Packaging Engineer II, Dr. Bronner’s
Jessie Franco graduated from Cal Poly in 2019 with a degree in Industrial Technology and Packaging. For the past four years, she has worked as a packaging engineer at Dr. Bronner’s, a leader in natural soaps and personal care products. As part of the R&D team, Jessie focuses on sourcing and testing packaging solutions for new product lines and improving packaging for existing ones. With an emphasis on sustainability, her work focuses on aiming to reduce environmental impact by replacing conventional materials with more sustainable alternatives, reflecting Dr. Bronner’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Dr. Bronner’s Soapy Path to Circularity
Dive into Dr. Bronner’s journey out of single-use rPET bottles and into paper-based refill cartons and truly circular bulk refill retail stations. Guided by LCA data, consumer insights, and retail partnerships, this transition is redefining how consumers engage with its best-selling 18-in-1 Pure-Castile Soap.
KELSEY GUNSKY
Packaging Engineer, IBM
Graduated from Cal Poly in 2021 with a degree in Industrial Technology and Packaging. For the past four years, I have worked as a Packaging Engineer at IBM, where I’ve contributed to the packaging design and development for brands including Quantum, Power, and Storage. As part of the packaging team, I oversee every stage of the process—from designing and prototyping to testing and assisting with procurement for manufacturing.
Recently, took on an additional role as Sustainability Lead, focusing on integrating more sustainable materials and practices into our supply chain. This new responsibility aligns with my passion for driving innovation and reducing environmental impact within the packaging industry. I’m also passionate about networking and professional development. Volunteering as a site leader at IBM, I dedicate time to hosting events for new hires and interns, helping them build connections and thrive in their early careers.
Modern Technology in Today’s Supply Chain
This presentation explores the integration of quantum computing in the supply chain, highlighting challenges in packaging, testing, and distribution. It will also examine how sustainable practices are incorporated into evolving processes to balance innovation and environmental responsibility.
TYLER HARWOOD
Product Development Manager, World Centric
Tyler Harwood is a Product Development Manager at World Centric. His role involves the daily and long-term management of all existing and new products, with an eye towards finding new channels and opportunities for compostable packaging. In previous roles, he has also worked as a packaging engineer and a project manager. A few of Tyler’s favorite hobbies include trail running, camping, and exploring the outdoors with his partner and their 2 dogs. He is excited to return to Cal Poly where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Technology (Packaging focus) in 2016.
Exploring Compostable Packaging: Materials, Design, and Opportunities (IN REVIEW)
Learn about designing functional and aesthetic packaging with compostable materials, along with the opportunities and challenges involved with introducing these products into new markets.
ERIC JONESON
Vice President of Technology, Lansmont
Joneson holds a B.S. in Packaging from Michigan State University and has an extended experience in areas of transportation packaging, supply chain dynamics measurement and analysis and laboratory testing applications. He is a member of both the International Association of Packaging Research Institutes (IAPRI) and the International Safe Transit Association’s Global Board of Directors, serving as Lansmont’s Delegate of the ISTA Advocate Council. He participates and contributes within ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging. Joneson represents Lansmont as they support global research initiatives through various Packaging Research Institutes and Universities, including representing Lansmont as Platinum members of Michigan State University’s Distribution Consortium.
Defining the key formula: Product + Package > Transport Environment
The route to optimized, sustainable packaging solutions can be successfully transited by establishing a clear understanding of the formula: Product + Package > Transport Environment. The product and packaging must work together to help deliver uncompromised product quality to the consumer. This presentation will explore each element of the formula, while providing relevant and interesting real-world case study examples.
LEXI MCFARLANE
Project Director, Stephen Gould Corporation
Lexi McFarlane graduated from Cal Poly in 2022 with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Consumer Packaging, and earned her M.S. in Packaging Value Chain in 2023. During her time at Cal Poly, Lexi was actively involved in initiatives focused on packaging innovation and sustainability, which shaped her passion for the field. She also served as a Director in PolyPack’s 2023 Symposium. Since graduation, Lexi has been working as a Project Director at Stephen Gould Corporation, where she collaborates with clients across e-commerce, retail, and industrial packaging sectors. Her work focuses on creating tailored packaging solutions, streamlining supply chain operations, and driving sustainability efforts to reduce environmental impact.
ALYSSA O'HALLORAN
Senior Packaging Engineer, Munchkin
Alyssa O’Halloran transferred to Cal Poly her junior year as a Business major, concentrating in Consumer Packaging. Shortly after her first packaging class, she picked up the Packaging Minor and set out to be a packaging engineer. During her time in school, she had the opportunity to intern at Munchkin, a baby lifestyle company. Here is where she found her passion for the CPG space and sustainability. After graduation, she joined Munchkin’s packaging team full-time, working on retail packaging projects with international distribution. Over the last 4 years, Munchkin has expanded into a new house of brands, WHY Brands. As the Senior Packaging Engineer, Alyssa oversees packaging for Munchkin as well as Curio, a premium direct-to-consumer home goods brand. Between these brands, Alyssa addresses packaging design in all shapes and forms--from tech to food and beverage, corrugate to plastic, and retail to ecomm. In 2024 she joined Cal Poly’s Packaging Advisory Board to support the program that kick started her packaging career.
MARK PSZCZOLKOWSKI
R&D Principal Scientist, The Clorox Company
Mark is an R&D Principal Scientist for the The Clorox Company's Home Care US retail cleaning business. Mark has spent his time in Clorox R&D across various roles/brands including Glad, Clorox wipes, and emerging technology teams -he is now responsible for the packaging design strategy for new innovations on the Clorox's dispensing and spray platforms. Mark graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 2015 and holds 20+ patents. Besides packaging design, sustainability, and new technology he also loves to chat about his hobbies including rock climbing, espresso, cooking/baking, and photography.
Plastics, protection, and the importance of product design when designing the package of the future
The Clorox Company – beyond its namesake Bleach – is a brand that spans many packaging technologies, forms, and products. Please join me in a discussion about not only what sustainability means to us and our packaging but also how we are seeing our design process modernizing to enable speed, efficiency, and newer requirements.
GREG ROSKOS, CPP, MS PVC
Supply Chain Manager, Rustic Bakery
Greg first fell in love with packaging while studying at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Inspired by the faculty in the Packaging Program and their zeal for the packaging industry, Greg graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with a minor in Packaging. Over the next 17 years Greg cultivated his expertise in food packaging while working for food manufacturers large and small including Amy’s Kitchen, The J.M. Smucker Company, The H.J. Heinz Company and Mars Foods. During that time Greg worked on a number of iconic brands such as Jif®, Uncrustables®, Milk Bone®, Ore-Ida® French fries, Uncle Ben’s® rice and many more. Greg recently returned to his roots in 2021 by going back to the Cal Poly Packaging Program and earning his Master of Science in Packaging Value Chain.
Greg is currently the Supply Chain Manager at Rustic Bakery in Petaluma, CA. Rustic Bakery is known nationwide for their artisanal sourdough flatbread crackers made in Sonoma County. As Supply Chain Manager, Greg is responsible for all Sourcing, Logistics and Production Planning activities as well as Customer Service. He also keeps his eyes out for any potential packaging development projects.
MIKE RUTKOWSKE
Associate TS&D Scientist, The Dow Chemical Company
Mike Rutkowske is an associate TS&D scientist with 20 years of experience in polymer research and technical development at The Dow Chemical Company. The primary focus of his career has been centered around improvements in operational discipline and fundamental process analyzation for both small- and large-scale packaging/extrusion equipment. His practical application expertise includes blown film, twin-screw extrusion, extrusion coating/lamination, and various types of packaging conversion machinery. As a coordinator for the Pack Studios campus in Freeport, Texas, Mike was responsible for training new employees, method development, improving workflow, machine safety, and mechanical troubleshooting/design. In his current role, Mike is the North American application development lead for machine direction oriented (MDO) films and supports efforts to implement targeted machinability requirements for future sustainable packaging designs. Mike is an author of one patent and has extensive experience with optimizing polymer fabrication processes and equipment for efficiency, reliability, and quality. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from The University of Houston.
MDO Polyethylene: Creating Recyclable Opportunities
This presentation explores the machine direction orientation (MDO) of polyethylene, highlighting its critical role in enhancing material properties and enabling recyclable packaging. Learn how MDO technology contributes to sustainability, efficiency, and the future of circular packaging solutions.
PAIGE TOPOLE
Packaging Engineer, Benefit Cosmetics
Paige Topole graduated from Cal Poly in 2018 with a degree in Industrial Technology with a minor in Packaging. During her time at Cal Poly, Paige was both the Poly Pack President and Symposium Director and is happy to be coming back as a speaker. Since graduation, she has been working in the packaging field for five years and has been focused on sustainable packaging development and usability and both Method and Benefit Cosmetics.