Women Who Built the Foundation and Women Leading Forward

Before AMERIPEN had staff, structure, or a seat at legislative tables, it had a question: 

Who is speaking for packaging? 

Years ago, at an industry conference, Gail Tavill and several industry peers found themselves in a candid conversation about the growing wave of packaging regulation.  Each material sector had its own association — fiber, plastics, glass, metals, — and each was advocating independently. 

“It’s a very diverse industry,” Gail recalls. “Diverse materials, diverse formats, diverse end markets. But there wasn’t anybody representing packaging in total.” 

Brand owners and retailers had strong trade associations, but their policy priorities often centered elsewhere. Packaging, while essential, was rarely the focal point of legislative discussions, especially at the state level, where regulatory momentum was building. 

For two years, the question lingered. Could an existing organization fill the gap? Could someone lead? Eventually, the answer became clear: if the industry wanted a coordinated, credible voice for packaging policy, it would have to build one. 

From that realization, AMERIPEN was born. 

From Conversation to Credibility 

As a co-founder and AMERIPEN’s second president, Gail helped lay the strategic foundation for what is now the leading voice on packaging policy in the United States. 

AMERIPEN helped companies that relied on multiple packaging materials understand the risks and complexities of emerging state-level policy. It brought packaging into conversations where it had previously been secondary. What began as dialogue among engineers and sustainability professionals evolved into engagement from government affairs leaders and policy experts — exactly the shift the founders envisioned. 

One of the most consequential decisions during Gail’s tenure was hiring an executive director with deep policy expertise rather than a technical packaging background. The governance groundwork had been laid. The next step was influence, ensuring packaging had a seat at the table and a respected voice in shaping legislation. 

That strategic pivot continues to define AMERIPEN today. 

A Career Built at the Intersection of Materials and Meaning 

Gail began her career as a packaging engineer after graduating from Michigan State University. Notably, her graduating class included more women than men, a reminder that women have long been present in packaging, even if not always recognized for it. 

Over the years, she has seen women bring depth, pragmatism, and credibility to conversations about the essential role of packaging: how it protects food and other products, reduces waste, ensures safety, and enables everyday life. 

Today, as an executive at OSI Group, Gail continues to work at the intersection of sustainability, agriculture, and global supply chains. But the mindset that drew her to packaging remains central: understanding how materials, policy, and sustainability must work together. 

Leadership That Continues 

The foundation Gail helped build is now being advanced by women leading AMERIPEN today. 

Under President Lynn Dyer’s leadership, AMERIPEN has sharpened its national voice, strengthened relationships with policymakers, and elevated its unique value proposition as the only trade association representing the entire packaging value chain. 

Alongside her, Policy Director and General Counsel Danielle Waterfield are helping navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. From EPR implementation to federal packaging claims legislation, Danielle ensures AMERIPEN’s policy work is grounded, practical, and forward-looking. 

Together, they are not only responding to policy developments; they are shaping them. 

Building What Comes Next 

Women’s History Month is about honoring those who saw gaps and chose to act. 

Gail Tavill helped identify a critical gap in the representation of packaging policy and did something about it. Because of that decision, the industry is better aligned, better represented, and better prepared. 

She is also quick to credit Joanne Pierce, former AMERIPEN Executive Director, as a powerhouse whose leadership helped shape the organization’s trajectory and inspire the next generation. 

The story of AMERIPEN is not just about packaging policy. It is about the people—including the many women—who have supported the association, bringing with them diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives.  

The future of packaging policy will be shaped by those willing to lead. Learn more about AMERIPEN’s work and how you can be part of it by visiting https://www.ameripen.org/policy/.