PLASTICS welcomes 3 new faces
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) announced that three roles have been filled: Mark O’Connell, VP of government affairs; Charlotte Dreizen, director, sustainability and environment, and Mónica Mancilla Cooke, senior director, human resources. All are effective immediately.
As a member of the senior team, O’Connell will lead all association efforts directed to federal, state and municipal government bodies and regulatory agencies, on behalf of PLASTICS member companies. He will represent the PLASTICS Political Action Committee, and lead efforts to educate state and local policymakers about the organization’s policy priorities.
Previously, O’Connell was Director of Government Affairs for Cognizant Technology Solutions, where he combined government experience with an ability to build coalitions across party and ideological divides to achieve lobbying goals and drive policy. His 25 years of government-related experience includes corporate roles, as well as serving as deputy administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as both chief of staff and legislative director in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Dreizen’s background includes experience supporting circular economy and net-zero carbon initiatives. Prior to joining PLASTICS, she led the American Institute of Architects’ 2030 Commitment, which aims for carbon neutrality. Dreizen also has managed recycling programs, policy and education for the Washington, D.C. Department of Public Works’ Office of Waste Diversion, and supported manufacturers and brands in achieving their sustainability goals at the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
PLASTICS President and CEO Matt Seaholm addressed the appointments.
“Strong representation throughout the country begins with a strong presence in Washington and Mark’s vast experience makes him well positioned to represent PLASTICS,” he said. “Mark’s combination of Capitol Hill, federal agency, state legislative and corporate government affairs experience will prove invaluable to our members. I’m thrilled to have Mark on board.”
Seaholm said of Dreizen, “In Charlotte we’ve found someone with hands-on experience in helping companies achieve real sustainability goals. Charlotte stands out among experts with theories on sustainability and is already an invaluable asset to our members. Her public presence in providing guidance and tools to better understand the challenges with recycling is admired by professionals across our industry.”
On Cooke’s appointment, Seaholm said, “We’re building a larger, top-flight team at PLASTICS — it takes someone with Mónica’s HR expertise to help us ensure the success of our professional environment. Mónica brings a wealth of compliance, talent recruitment and development experience that will help PLASTICS continue to grow and thrive.”