Paris Packaging Week unveils Future Leaders Class of 2027

A coatings chemist developing alternatives for personal care packaging, a designer behind a Maison Margiela collector's box and an entrepreneur championing refurbished machinery are among ten young professionals named in Paris Packaging Week's Future Leaders Class of 2027.

Representing businesses across Europe, Africa and North America, the ten selected professionals will be celebrated at Paris Packaging Week on 3 and 4 February 2027 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Their achievements span materials development, luxury design, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

Future Leaders is Paris Packaging Week's flagship programme for emerging talent, recognising ten young professionals each year for their achievements, potential and contribution to the packaging industry.

The ten selected professionals are:

Romain Vanwijnsberghe, business development, Cosmetics Atelier, Belgium

Rania Elqadah, packaging designer, IDP Direct, United States

Anja Macan, CMO, Macan, Croatia

Rica Hakim, product development chemist, PPG Industries, Germany

Eugénie Rovere, president, Matchy Matcha, France

Dhruvi Thakkar, founder and lead packaging designer, Sleeve Office Ltd, United Kingdom

Tendresse Lokole, managing director, MMB, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eloise Masquelier, material science expert, Albéa, France

Rawy José Baranco, sales manager, Mach4Food, Netherlands

Mandana Vahedi, product development manager, Planet B BV, Belgium

From developing new materials and bringing packaging concepts to market to extending the life of existing machinery, the Future Leaders Class of 2027 is already delivering results across the industry.

At PPG Industries, Rica Hakim has helped develop two BPA-NI internal coatings for personal care packaging, including work towards water based alternatives ahead of changes to EU regulations. Eloise Masquelier of Albéa Cosmetics & Fragrance is also advancing materials innovation, leading the qualification of recycled resins and contributing to the company's achievement of exceeding its 10% recycled plastic commitment in 2025.

Several members of the class have already translated their packaging expertise into measurable commercial results. Matchy Matcha founder Eugénie Rovere led the development of glass bottle packaging for a ready to drink matcha latte that has since sold more than 15,000 bottles and reached over 100 outlets, including Carrefour. 

Having grown up around the family business, Romain Vanwijnsberghe did a packaging factory internship in China at just 16, then went on to gain experience at Cosmei and Notino. He later helped develop MYC in France, before joining Cosmetics Atelier, where he supports European brands in designing their packaging with Asian and European manufacturers.

Rawy José Baranco of Mach4Food is extending the working life of metal packaging machinery, helping attract more than 15 new customers seeking refurbished equipment over the past year. At Planet B, Mandana Vahedi has contributed to an aluminium refill system for Wondr personal care products and a sugarcane based detergent bottle for Powr, addressing the practical challenges of developing alternatives to conventional single use packaging.

‘Beyond the product itself, the real challenge is convincing consumers to change their habits: refilling rather than throwing away, adopting a new routine, accepting a different material or texture,’ said Mandana. ‘Without that buy in, even the best innovation stays niche, and can end up as a commercial failure despite its ingenuity.’

It is a challenge recognised by Future Leaders judge Marion Quesson, senior art director at Sowine, who emphasised the importance of developing innovations that can succeed beyond the initial concept.

‘What I find particularly interesting is the ability to go beyond the idea and build viable solutions, while understanding consumer expectations and behaviours early on. That is essential if innovation is going to truly change habits and have an impact at scale.’

Creative and technical expertise also feature prominently. Rania Elqadah of IDP Direct developed the structural design of the Maison Margiela Tabi Collector Box, while Anja Macan of Macan helped create Señor's Fussnota perfume packaging, combining specialist print finishes with a distinctive opening structure. Dhruvi Thakkar, founder of Sleeve Office Ltd, has worked across major FMCG and beauty brands, improving packaging workflows at Vibrant Foods and translating creative concepts into production ready designs at Unilever.

As Dhruvi observed, ‘I do not think packaging is suffering from a shortage of good ideas. The bigger challenge is that too many good ideas break down between the design studio and the factory floor.’

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MMB managing director Tendresse Lokole is taking a different approach to industry development, helping local entrepreneurs strengthen their brands through accessible, customised packaging tailored to their markets.

Beyond recognition at Paris Packaging Week, participants gain speaking opportunities, specialist media interviews and access to a community of more than 39,000 industry professionals. They also receive VIP access to the event and join a growing alumni network, creating opportunities to build relationships with senior industry figures.

Thomas Bernad, founder of Be Morpho and a member of the Class of 2026, has developed a new generation of spray cans powered by compressed air rather than conventional petroleum based propellants. Reflecting on his experience of the programme. He said, ‘I would say it has been a real springboard. Not just because the programme gave me visibility, but above all because it allowed me to step out of my laboratory and put my work to the test with people who have a completely different perspective to my own.’