Nerida Kelton began her career as a media advisor for a non-profit youth organisation and wanted a change.
She saw a job advertised in the labelling industry for a National PR Manager. She was hired to rebrand the company, the first company in Australia to purchase a Mark Andy flexographic labelling press and sell lasers, inkjet, and print-and-apply labelling applicators.
Kelton spent a lot of time out on the floor with the Flexo printers, learning about labels, and then with the sales team, trying to understand the differences between inkjet, laser, and label applicators. She enjoyed gaining new knowledge and entering the packaging industry, which was extremely male-dominated at the time.
This role allowed her to meet the AIP President, who asked her to join them as a volunteer to help with PR, Media, Events, and Members. The rest is history, as she has been the CEO of the AIP for close to 15 years and has worked with the AIP for 27.
She found herself very lucky to have had some amazing mentors from inception in the AIP and advised others to find a networking group and keep learning. She added that it was very important to remember that there is enough room for everyone, and to congratulate and recognise those who are doing well.
“No two journeys are the same, so don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Remind yourself that you deserve to be in the room, as each person brings different views and skills to every table,” said Kelton.
“I also think it is important not to pretend that you have all the answers or that you are the expert in everything packaging, as that is simply untrue. Ask questions, attend training, learn, learn and learn some more so that you have the confidence in your topic. I continue to learn every single day.”
She is also the Vice President of Sustainability and Save Food for the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), a role she has held for five years. Both roles give her access to global, regional, and local packaging professionals, associations, and industry stakeholders, enabling her to learn continually.
Receiving her Fellowship for significant contribution to the packaging industry has been a major career highlight, along with becoming the first female Vice President of Sustainability and Save Food for the World Packaging Organisation.
She is also especially proud of the continued work she does across the world, training and educating brands to design better packaging that minimises food loss and waste.
The Save Food packaging design guidelines are now being used in many corners of the globe, and Kelton recently co-authored, via her WPO role, a global position paper with UNIDO and Wageningen University on the Paradox of Food & Packaging Waste.
“The world of packaging is so dynamic, and I have the opportunity every day to educate people all over the world about Sustainable Packaging Design and Save Food Packaging design. It is a great industry to work in.”
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