The Plastics Industry Association’s Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) program closed 2025 with remarkable momentum, reaching a major milestone: more than 300 active members nationwide. What began just a few years ago as a small network of emerging professionals has now tripled in size — a clear reflection of the growing demand for leadership development, peer connection and cross-industry engagement among the plastics workforce of tomorrow.
More than a membership benchmark, this growth offers an impactful signal: young professionals are eager to lead, contribute and shape the future of the plastics industry.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching this community evolve — and I’ve seen many of our members move from early-career roles into leadership positions,” said Leslie Jutte, senior director of industry engagement and FLiP staff liaison. “It’s inspiring to witness how FLiP is shaping careers and building a robust pipeline of talent for the plastics industry.”
Strengthening FLiP’s mission
To support this expanding community, FLiP leadership completed a strategic refresh of the program’s vision, mission and objectives in 2025. The updated framework sharpens FLiP’s purpose and ensures the program evolves in step with member needs and industry priorities.
The refreshed direction reinforces three core commitments:
- Developing strong, capable leaders prepared to guide our workforce, companies and the industry forward
- Creating meaningful pathways for career advancement and skill-building
- Fostering a vibrant, cross-sector network that strengthens collaboration across the plastics value chain
Elevating skills and confidence through mentorship and learning
Professional development remained at the heart of FLiP’s impact in 2025. The program delivered quarterly learning sessions designed to strengthen workplace skills, deepen industry understanding and prepare members for future leadership roles. Expert speakers and interactive workshops explored topics such as:
- Effective communications strategies for the plastics industry
- Leadership and mentorship philosophies from senior executives
- Developing a resilient, growth-focused professional mindset
- Advancing knowledge of recycling systems, progress and innovation
The FLiP Mentorship Program also reached a new record, supporting 23 mentor-mentee pairings across the industry. These relationships created invaluable opportunities for guidance, career planning, and institutional knowledge-sharing.
Asjad Salman Lodi from Coperion said, “This mentorship program has been an outstanding experience for me. Its thoughtful design and focus on leadership development have been invaluable, and I’ve truly appreciated my conversations with my mentor. I’m excited to carry these insights forward both in my work and in my personal growth.”
Meanwhile, the FLiP Book Club continued to flourish as a collaborative learning space, encouraging members to explore leadership themes through collective discussion, reflection and personal development.
Building community through networking and industry engagement
Networking remains central to the FLiP experience — and 2025 demonstrated just how far-reaching that network has become. FLiP hosted meet-ups and business meetings at major PLASTICS and partner events across the country, including:
- National Plastics Conference
Leading through service and industry stewardship
FLiP’s commitment to leadership extends beyond professional growth — it also reflects a dedication to service and community impact.
During the National Plastics Conference, FLiP partnered with Keep Orlando Beautiful for its fourth annual Litter Cleanup, where 40 volunteers collected 154 pounds of mismanaged waste, including seven pounds of recyclable materials.
That passion for stewardship expanded nationwide through the FLiP Cleanup Champions initiative, for which eight participating companies hosted 62 cleanup events in their local communities.
Looking ahead: A growing network with a powerful future
With more than 300 members and a sharpened strategic roadmap, FLiP is entering its next phase with purpose, energy and optimism.
As programming grows, visibility increases and engagement strengthens, it is abundantly clear that FLiP is not just about building connections — FLiP is shaping the future of the plastics workforce with innovation, collaboration and a shared commitment to leadership excellence.
