Speakers

Unleashing Potential: Leading Your Organization as a Force for Good

Dirk Beveridge | Founder, UnleashWD; Executive Producer, We Supply America

Dirk Beveridge is a leading advocate of change and innovation in wholesale distribution. In addition to serving as the founder of UnleashWD, Beveridge travels the country to give lectures on innovation, business strategy, sales and management.

Paper and Packaging Board Update

Mary Anne Hansan | President, Paper and Packaging Board

Mary Anne Hansan is the President of the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB) where she is responsible for communicating the paper industry’s unrivaled sustainability story with millions of consumers.

Consumer research is clear-paper and paper-based packaging is preferred over materials like plastic and consumers want to make choices they believe are more planet-friendly and reduce waste. The campaign’s emphasis on sustainability will improve consumers and customers perceptions about the paper industry’s contribution to environmental solutions.

Prior to joining P+PB, Mary Anne led marketing initiatives for numerous industries including seafood (tuna), plastics and flowers.

Mary Anne is married, a mother of two and a first-time grandmother.

Paper Perspectives: Understanding Market Trends and Supply Chain Dynamics

Derek Mahlburg | Fastmarkets RISI

Derek Mahlburg has covered North American forest products paper markets since 2008. Currently, he authors North American graphic paper and containerboard forecasts and commentaries, including the monthly Paper Trader and Paper Packaging Monitor, as well as five- and fifteen-year forecasts. Derek also directs the global graphic paper forecast and has led various special studies and risk analyses, including the Global Woodfree Risk of Closure Study, North American Containerboard Conversion Study, The Impact of Media Tablets on Publication Paper Markets, and The Impact of E-commerce on North American Paper Packaging Markets.

Preparing for the Workforce of Tomorrow with a C-Suite Perspective

Claudia St. John, SPHR, SHRM-SCP | President, The Workplace Advisors

Claudia St. John, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, is founder and President of The Workplace Advisors. As a consultant, best-selling author, and avid public speaker, St. John has given hundreds of presentations and workshops centered around employee engagement, common management mistakes, multi-generational workplace challenges, and other topics prevalent to human resources.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges Under the New Administration

Brian Wild | Chief Government Relations Officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW)

Brian Wild is the Chief Government Relations Officer of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW)and comes to PDC2025 with extensive experience in U.S. government, having worked in the Senate, House, White House, and as an advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney. He is known for his strategic leadership and ability to build coalitions, helping businesses and trade associations advance their policy priorities. He has also led NAW’s PAC and grassroots programs, focusing on electing supportive candidates and ensuring the wholesale industry's influence in policy discussions.