TAPPI Women in Industry Division Honors Outstanding Industry Leader with 2021 Woman of the Year Award

Recognizing Excellence in Leadership and Professional Development Within the Pulp and Paper Industry

The Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) Women in Industry Division recently presented its prestigious 2021 Woman of the Year Award, highlighting exceptional leadership and mentorship within the global pulp, paper, tissue, and packaging industries. This annual recognition program, established in 2017, celebrates women who demonstrate excellence in leading, motivating, and developing others while making substantial contributions to industry advancement.

Award Recognition Ceremony and Industry Impact

Jennifer Piercey, chair of the Celebrating Women Leaders Committee, presented the award alongside Larry Montague, president and CEO of TAPPI. The ceremony emphasized the critical role of women leaders in driving innovation and professional development across manufacturing sectors, particularly in technical specializations requiring advanced engineering expertise.

2021 Winner: Paula Hodgkin’s Distinguished Career

Paula Hodgkin, Principal Technical Specialist at USG Corporation, received the 2021 Woman of the Year Award following nomination by Dale Midyett of Jacobs Engineering. With 16 years of specialized experience supporting gypsum board manufacturing operations, Hodgkin exemplifies the technical excellence and leadership commitment valued by industry veterans and senior executives.

Her professional responsibilities encompass new product development and rollout, advanced technology development, comprehensive plant technical support, strategic project management, and workforce training initiatives. This diverse portfolio demonstrates the multifaceted expertise expected from senior technical leaders in manufacturing environments.

Volunteer Leadership and Professional Service Excellence

Hodgkin’s volunteer contributions to TAPPI reflect the organization’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and industry standards development. Her current leadership roles include:

• Chair of the Paper and Board Division
• Chair Emeritus of the Papermaking Technology and Operations Committee
• Chair of the Forming and Pressing Tips Subcommittee
• Chair of the Women in Industries Benchmarking Committee

These positions represent significant time commitments and demonstrate her dedication to advancing industry standards, technical knowledge transfer, and professional mentorship opportunities.

TAPPI Fellowship Recognition and Academic Foundation

In 2019, Hodgkin achieved TAPPI Fellowship status, joining an illustrious group of professionals who have made substantial contributions to the industry through sustained service and technical excellence. Her involvement with TAPPI began during her academic career as Vice President of the TAPPI Student Chapter at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Hodgkin holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from UMass Lowell and has authored or co-authored nine patents, demonstrating her commitment to innovation and intellectual property development within the manufacturing sector.

Industry Mentorship and Career Development Advocacy

During her acceptance remarks, Hodgkin emphasized the transformative power of professional associations in career advancement. She stated, “The opportunities offered by TAPPI have helped me advance in my career. I encourage others to step up and take advantage of these same opportunities to help them advance in their careers.”

Her message resonates particularly with senior executives and industry veterans who understand the value of professional networking, continuous learning, and giving back to the next generation of technical professionals.

Diversity and Inclusion Leadership

Hodgkin highlighted the growing representation of women in the paper industry, noting significant progress over recent years. She emphasized that “diversity is critical to our success” and encouraged broader participation in networking events, technical committees, and professional development opportunities.

Her advocacy for inclusive participation aligns with modern industry trends toward diverse leadership teams and comprehensive talent development strategies.

Recognition and Future Engagement Opportunities

The award ceremony concluded with encouragement for industry professionals to nominate colleagues for future recognition programs. This call to action supports TAPPI’s mission of identifying and celebrating exceptional contributors to technical advancement and professional mentorship.

For senior industry leaders and experienced professionals seeking meaningful ways to contribute their expertise while maintaining professional relevance, TAPPI’s recognition programs offer valuable platforms for sharing knowledge and supporting career development across the global pulp and paper manufacturing community.

Professional Association Membership Benefits for Industry Veterans

TAPPI’s comprehensive approach to recognizing established professionals includes fellowship opportunities, committee leadership roles, and mentorship programs that leverage decades of industry experience. These initiatives provide structured pathways for senior executives and retirees to maintain professional engagement while contributing to industry standards development and knowledge transfer.

The organization’s commitment to honoring career achievements while facilitating ongoing professional contributions makes it an ideal platform for experienced professionals seeking to maintain their industry influence and support the next generation of technical leaders.