Conor Carlin will become President of The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) on August 1, 2026, following a planned leadership transition with Executive Director Jane Chase, CPPL.
Carlin joined IoPP on July 1 and is working alongside Chase throughout July to ensure a seamless transition for members, volunteers, partners, sponsors, and stakeholders. Chase, who announced her retirement in June, concludes more than 30 years of service to IoPP and the packaging profession on July 31.
Carlin brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across the packaging, plastics, and advanced materials industries. Throughout his career, he has built strategic partnerships, led business growth, advanced professional education, and supported innovation across the packaging value chain in North America, Australia, and Europe.
Sustainable Strategy
He joins IoPP from Clefs Advisory LLC, where he serves as President, advising companies on sustainable business strategy, market expansion, packaging recyclability, and the application of AI to small and medium sized manufacturing firms. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of North American operations for ILLIG Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG., leading commercial strategy, business growth, and customer partnerships across food, consumer packaged goods, medical, and industrial packaging markets.
A longtime association leader, Carlin recently completed a nine-year term on the Executive Board of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), including service as the first VP of Sustainability and President. His experience includes strategic planning, board governance, volunteer leadership, chapter engagement, and advancing education and professional development for members worldwide. He has also served as Managing Editor of SPE’s divisional publications and has been an IoPP member since 2020.
Carlin is also a recognized thought leader in packaging and sustainability. He is the co-author and editor of the second edition of Plastics & Sustainability: Grey is the New Green, has contributed articles to international industry publications, and has represented the plastics industry through the United Nations Environment Program. In 2023, he was recognized by Plastics News as a “Notable Leader in Sustainability.”
