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PPC’s Top 10 Under 40 celebrates passion, expertise and relentless pursuit of excellence
Winners of Pulp & Paper Canada’s 2024 Top 10 Under 40 contest discuss what keeps them motivated to excel.
October 3, 2024 By Sukanya Ray Ghosh
ASHLEY BLAND A new generation of leaders is making waves in Canada’s pulp and paper industry. The winners of the 2024 Top 10 Under 40 program stand out due to their passion, expertise and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Pulp & Paper Canada’s annual Top 10 Under 40 program highlights how young leaders are shaping the trajectory of the industry and charting the path for continued success. Their innovative solutions and leadership inspire their peers and colleagues to rethink what is possible.
Here, we celebrate the accomplishments of these talented individuals in the pulp and paper industry, recognizing their achievements and the promise they hold for a sustainable tomorrow. This year, the winners have shared their thoughts on what inspired them to work in the pulp and paper industry, what keeps them motivated, their best achievements and more.
Want to recognize a future leader? Nominations for the 2025 contest open at the beginning of next year. Congratulations to our 2024 winners!
ASHLEY BLAND
Process engineer, Irving Pulp & Paper, Saint John, N.B.
Pulp & Paper Canada: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry
Ashley Bland: I was first exposed to the pulp and paper industry during a practice school course in University. I was interested in the process and the importance of this industry in New Brunswick. I wanted to be involved with the opportunities for improvements to support sustainability for long term success of the industry.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
AB: In my current role there are always new projects and problems to solve. I am able to see the impact of my contributions to improving processes that benefit the team and the organization. We have a very supportive and collaborative work environment which allows me to continue to learn from others and contribute to the success of the organization as a team.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
AB: Obtaining my Six Sigma Green Belt has given me the tools to drive improvement and work with others to lead change in the organization. I am also involved in a research consortium which helps to understand and address issues that many mills in the industry are facing. This program drives innovation to ensure pulp and paper organizations continue to improve efficiency and sustainability for the future.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
AB: Promoting continuous improvement to ensure our industry remains efficient and environmentally responsible. Coaching and mentoring others on these practices will help drive the culture for the industry to succeed long term.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
AB: The industry should continue to modernize through new technology and innovation. This will help to stay competitive and attract new employees. Training and development opportunities should also be prioritized to allow employees to progress and learn skills to continue to grow the industry.
FARHAD JALILIAN
Operations specialist,Canfor Pulp, Prince George, B.C.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Farhad Jalilian: I have a passion for increasing efficiency, reducing waste and optimizing yield in manufacturing processes. The fact that pulp mills have been striving to become more sustainable over the recent decades inspired me to become a part of the journey. Manufacturing pulp and paper is an intricate process of converting wood chips to free-flowing fibres that are used for a vast variety of fibre-based products, consumed daily by billions of people around the globe. This, for me as a pulp mill worker, presents an incredible opportunity to create value for the country and the society, including my own family.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
FJ:The opportunity of driving impactful improvements keeps me motivated in my current role as an operations specialist in the digester-brown stock areas at Northwood Pulp mill. I closely work and collaborate with operators, shift supervisors, managers, engineers, maintenance planners and skilled trades workers to implement solutions to issues and limitations. I am a strong believer in the ability of teams where individuals’ skillsets are combined into a powerful and effective group.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
FJ: Over the past five years, I have been able to be a major contributor to the reduction of chemical usage in the mill, most specifically by minimizing soda losses in the mill. This has translated to a magnitude of tons of less caustic chemical consumption every day, and cost savings of millions of dollars every year. I have also allocated a specific focus on reducing fibre rejects in the mill from wood chip screening to reducing the volume of rejected fibre in the brown stock screening. I have been assisting the operations and maintenance teams to increase the reliability of the mill as well as optimizing operational strategies. I look at each unit operation, from kraft digesters, atmospheric and pressure diffusers to brown stock knotters, washers, pressure screens, wash presses and try to develop solutions in keeping them within the target operating windows through production dynamics. As a result of these continuous improvements, Northwood pulp mill has been running reliably and efficiently, meeting and exceeding production targets in the past couple of quarters after a few challenging years.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
FJ: I would like to gain experience in various aspects of the forest industry, the lifecycle of forest products, and contributing to optimization of processes from logging and harvesting to log milling and making fibre-based products. Deploying economical and innovative ideas with minimal cost and higher rates of return is something that I am passionate to pursue in my career.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
FJ: Among various ways of enhancing recruitment, I believe creating a true sense of pride and reward in manufacturing jobs is key to attract new talents and encourage employee retention. For retention, creating a safe, positive and friendly work environment where employees enjoy working as a team, not just coming to work for the hours is important.
JASON PERREAULT-GELINAS
Plant manager, Cascades Papier, Kingsey Falls, Que.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Jason Perreault-Gelinas: Being a native of Kingsey Falls, the town where Cascades’ head office is located, it was instinctive from an early age to enter the industry. What inspires me most about the pulp and paper industry is the value it adds to raw materials and the environmental awareness it brings, giving a second life to materials while producing a value-added product.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
JP-G: First of all, the operational challenges of the pulp and paper industry motivate me on a daily basis. Recovery is evolving rapidly, and the nature of recycled fibres is changing. So we have to be constantly on the lookout to integrate new technologies to ensure the sustainability of operations, while continuing to develop products. I’m very passionate about this! I’m also driven by people management, surrounding myself with motivated, engaged people to create a winning culture. My vision of team cohesion is that everyone is working towards the same goals.
P&PC: What do you consider as your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
JP-G: In February 2024, I was recognized as the Cascades Specialty Products Group winner for the value “Stronger Together.” Cascades annually presents The Source Awards to recognize employees whose journey, commitment and achievements embody one of its corporate values. The “Stronger Together” value unites our strengths and brings us together – persevering, moving forward, bringing people together and winning together are some of the qualities this award recognizes. Finally, my team and I were able to review our processes, optimize production, and maintain a positive work environment so that in just two years under my leadership, the plant’s productivity increased by more than 15 percent.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
JP-G: For me, it’s vital to ensure greater eco-awareness in the industry to secure a better future. Social and environmental awareness certainly means reducing water consumption and greenhouse gases, but it’s just as important to ensure the diversity of our raw materials. These days, there are plenty of interesting alternative fibres!
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
JP-G: First of all, to encourage better recruitment and improve retention, it’s in the industry’s best interest to focus as much as possible on people’s well-being, and to listen to them in order to create a stimulating and rewarding work environment. What’s more, it’s important to ensure that we have the right individual profile, in terms of both pulp and paper skills and personality. This is the key to building team cohesion and a culture of excellence.
JESSICA CARBONNEAU
Health and safety manager, Cascades Tissue Group, Candiac, Que.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Jessica Carbonneau: My last two internships were with Cascades. Right from my first internship, I knew that my career would be in manufacturing. The pulp and paper sector is an environment where you can continually learn new ideas and apply these principles to improve processes. The other concept that inspired me was the self-help aspect, where everyone helps each other and wants to make things work as a team. The pulp and paper industry is more like a community, where everyone seems to know each other from one company to the next.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
JC: Navigating through challenges and obstacles has always served to be a catalyst that motivates me in my work. I was a production manager for several years and sought to take on new opportunities that would bring me out of my comfort zone. I love learning and helping the people around me. I enjoy taking on new challenges and developing my team. We have experienced many issues in terms of health and safety due to current staff turnover. I stay motivated by keeping in mind the vision I want to achieve with OHS over the next few years at Cascades.
P&PC: What do you consider as your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
JC: This is a difficult question for me to answer. I am a person who doesn’t like to brag about my achievements. All of the things I’ve done that I am proud of have been built with the support of a team. Probably one of the things that I am most proud of is having led my team to exceed planned targets by setting production records. On a personal level, I’m proud to have convinced management to invest in the replacement of a major part of the machine I was supervising at the time. This project made me realize that I could positively impact and influence my work.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
JC: My future vision of OHS applies to all sectors of the industry. It is a vision where OHS becomes a core value for everyone, and where our employees go home not just as they were before – but as a better version of themselves. My goal is to create an environment where people are motivated to come to work because they feel positive after their role, they feel listened to and valued for their involvement, and that everyone cares about each other.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
JC: We need to continue to do things differently in order to motivate employees who want to come and work for us for more than just a salary. Accept that humans make mistakes. I also think that if we work to improve the orientation process for new employees, they will be more inclined to stay – and will have a more successful experience. To encourage better recruitment and retention of our employees, we need to provide them a pleasant, healthy and safe working environment, one in which they can flourish and contribute to the company’s success.
JOSEPH CHAMBERS
Power & recovery technical assistant, Kruger Kamloops Pulp, Kamloops, B.C.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Joseph Chambers: I grew up in the interior and a good portion of my family and friends were employed by the forest industry. During university, I was fortunate enough to have a summer student position at the Kamloops Pulp mill and I was able see how diverse the process is and how much opportunity there is for learning.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
Joe C: The people I work with. I want to do my part to make sure the process is safe for everybody to work in. I want to do my part to make sure we operate within our environmental policy and make our productivity goals to help ensure we all have a place to keep working at.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
Joe C: I would say that it’s the working relationships that I have established with the people at the mill. This mill is filled with awesome people who are very good at what they do. I get to work with teams that consist of people from every department in the mill, a few examples being: operators on the production floor, maintenance groups, process technicians in our lab, our engineering team, people in our finance department and admin areas, they are all awesome.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
Joe C: At my level I plan to keep doing my part to make sure our mill runs in a safe and productive way. This will prove that this industry and this mill is worth investing in and prove to future employees that this industry is a good one to work in. With that investment and with people we will be able to access the technology necessary to advance.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
Joe C: This is closely related to the previous question. The industry needs to prove that it is worth people investing their future and their careers in. They need to see that the industry will be able to support them and their families. People need to see that there is opportunity for growth where they work and that if they want to become a leader within their organization, they will be supported in that.
KASRA RAYANI
Millwright apprentice level 1, Kruger Products, New Westminster, B.C.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Kasra Rayani: I have always been drawn to the production setting and the mechanical aspects of manufacturing where there is room for continuous improvement. I have a natural drive to make things better and the pulp and paper industry offered an opportunity for me to make a difference.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
KR: As a millwright apprentice in the converting maintenance department, I am faced with challenges everyday which help me to learn and grow. I am excited about going back to school and learning a new set of skills.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
KR: Safety has always been a top priority for me. My contributions to the Joint Health and Safety committee and my progression of roles have been a source of pride especially since I have earned the trust of my colleagues who appointed me as the Mill Safety Representative since 2023.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
KR: Continuous improvement, optimization of equipment and process efficiencies are essential to remaining competitive within the industry so that we can continue to offer our consumers high quality tissue paper products.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
KR: The pulp and paper industry is very unique and requires a specialized skillset that allows people to grow in their careers. Communicating the opportunities and raising the industry’s profile are key to encouraging people to join the industry.
KOOWAR SINGH
Continuous Improvement Engineer, Mercer Celgar, Castlegar, B.C.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Koowar Singh: My inspiration to enter the pulp and paper industry traces back to a field trip to the Celgar mill during my undergrad at UBC. As a starry-eyed chemical engineering student, I was captivated by the scale of equipment and intricacies of the processes. However, what left a lasting impression were the people I encountered – engineers and operators who genuinely enjoyed their work. So, when a job position opened up at Celgar after I graduated, I was eager to join the team. Since then, my appreciation for the industry has only deepened.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
KS: Being relatively new to my current role, the steep learning curve and the challenges that come with it are signifi cant motivators for me. The excitement of building my skills and contributing to some truly impactful initiatives keeps me energized. It’s invigorating to be part of teams that work collaboratively, pushing each other to achieve more. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who placed immense trust in me, allowing me to lead initiatives and take risks with unconventional ideas.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
KS: Over the past seven years, my most significant achievement has been the professional relationships and connections I’ve formed. These bonds extend beyond my coworkers and mentors at Celgar to include consultants, vendors and industry peers. I feel part of a community within the industry that I can rely on for both technical problem-solving and navigating the nuanced, non-technical challenges we all face. These relationships have been instrumental in my growth, making me appreciate the collaborative and supportive nature of the pulp and paper sector.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
KS: In my experience, the success of any initiative – whether large or small, complex or straightforward – hinges on the engagement of our end users, be they operators, clients or customers. With the rapid advancement of technology, we need to embrace and integrate it into our business practices. The ability to analyze large amounts of data and use it to enhance transparency and garner buy-in is crucial. By leveraging these technological advancements, we can move information faster and more clearly than ever before, ensuring the industry continues to evolve and improve.
Pulp and paper facilities, often nestled in smaller towns, enjoy a unique advantage in their close ties to the local community. This relationship allows us to strengthen our positive impact on surrounding communities. By fostering these connections, we can create initiatives that not only benefit the industry but also contribute to the well-being and growth of the communities we operate in. This dual focus on technological innovation and community engagement is key to driving the industry forward into a better, more sustainable future.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
KS: To attract and retain top talent, the pulp and paper industry needs to focus on enhancing the overall experience of working in the sector. With its commitment to a sustainable circular economy and strong community ties, the industry has a lot to offer. By broadening job opportunities to include non-traditional roles like data scientists and software developers, we can tap into a wider talent pool as our business needs rapidly evolve.
KUGENTHINI THARMAKULASEKARAM
Plant manager in succession, Cascades Containerboard Packaging, Vaughan, Ont.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Kugenthini Tharmakulasekaram: I have always wanted to work in manufacturing as it gives me an opportunity to have boots on the ground. It is rewarding be a part of an industry where they are driving change towards sustainability and innovation.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
KT: Being able to build relationships and interact with all the employees is the best part of my job. Every day is a different day and I love to work in a fast-paced environment where there are continuous challenges. Through interacting with various departments whether it be operations, maintenance or logistics, I am always learning. The culture and the environment make coming into work enjoyable.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
KT: Being able to implement lean six sigma methodology and the continuous improvement mindset within the plant has to be one of my best achievements. Being able to improve efficiency of machines and reducing waste. It was through a collaborative and facilitative approach as it was needed to be able to drive change management through the employees.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
KT: Focusing on creating a culture of innovation and learning excellence. Being able to be proactive and adapt to the tools and technology that is at the forefront is crucial as well. We need to be able to look at the changing supply and demand dynamics in our industry. We need to strive to always look at developing ourselves and others around us through leadership development. As the world is shifting towards artificial intelligence, we need to see how we can best utilize that in our industry to help us advance towards the future.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
KT: We need to focus on succession planning with younger individuals and it is very crucial to focus on it as we have a larger retiring workforce. Having mentors within the business is critical to one’s development and being able to show an individual there are different career paths you can go through.
MATHIEU BILODEAU
Manufacturing manager, Kruger Products, Mississauga, Ont.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Mathieu Bilodeau: As an engineer, the pulp and paper industry is a very deep field where you can learn and challenge yourself everyday day. I was exposed very early in my career to various types of experiences (engineering, problem solving, trials, projects, etc.) and my passion for pulp and paper evolved from there.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
MB: Everyday I learn something new with my job. It is very stimulating ! Exchanging knowledge and experiences with my team is something very important. It is truly rewarding to be able to support people’s development.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
MB:I had the chance to be part of a strong team to manage the start-up of our new TAD tissue machine in Sherbrooke in 2021. The project itself was a big challenge and I was very proud to contribute directly to such a great success story. Our learning curve was quick and we now have the opportunity to operate one of the fastest TAD machine in the world and push its boundaries!
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
MB: The tissue industry is very dynamic and competitive. I see our industry moving towards new products, new technologies and new processes that are more and more environmentally friendly to fit our customers’ needs and the public’s expectations with respect to waste reduction, water reduction, energy reduction, etc.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
MB: I think that one of the main points in answering this question is to keep our people stimulated. It could be through new roles and responsibilities, special projects, new positions, promotions, etc. Creating opportunities is key!
SYLVAIN FILLION
Senior financial director, FP&A and commercial manager, Cascades Containerboard Packaging, St. Bruno, Que.
P&PC: What inspired you to work in the pulp and paper industry?
Sylvain Fillion: Being raised in Quebec, Cascades was a well-known company with a great notoriety. When I finished my degree, I saw an opening at Cascades, which was undergoing a technological transformation. It was interesting to blend my curiosity for new technologies and my sustainability-oriented values.
P&PC: What keeps you motivated in your current role?
SF: Bringing value by proving relevant business and financial insights to grow the business, while developing and coaching driven individuals towards their goals.
P&PC: What do you consider your best achievements throughout your time working in the pulp and paper segment?
SF: I’ve had the opportunity to evolve in two pulp and paper sub-segments: Tissue and containerboard/packaging, while contributing on different aspects of the business (new business, supply chain efficiency, innovation, etc.). Being able to comprehend and contribute in such different settings is something I’m proud of.
P&PC: How do you plan to advance the industry into a better future?
SF: I plan on making sure that the industry is equipped with state-of-the-art finance tools, processes and people so that it better navigates its macro environment.
P&PC: What should the industry do to encourage better recruitment and retention?
SF: The industry should make sure to use and promote new technologies as part of new skill sets required, while simultaneously be close to the school system as part of building the future generation of workers. From there, retention can be enhanced with good set of core values, respect and opportunity for growth. PPC
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