Cascades Inc. honored with multiple awards for leadership and sustainability initiatives

Cascades Inc. has been honored with five prestigious awards, reflecting the company’s commitment to excellence and sustainability. Four of Cascades’ young leaders have been named in Pulp & Paper Canada’s 2024 Top 10 Under 40, and the company’s innovative packaging solution, Cascades Fresh GUARD EnVision™, received a Canadian Grocer’s 2024 Impact Award in the Sustainability category.

Among those recognized in Pulp & Paper Canada’s 2024 Top 10 Under 40 is Jessica Carbonneau, Health & Safety director at Cascades Tissue Group. Carbonneau is noted for her exceptional ability to tackle challenges and engage teams to drive positive change within the organization, prioritizing both employee well-being and operational excellence. Since joining Cascades in 2010, she has been instrumental in fostering a strong health and safety culture.

Sylvain Fillion, Senior Financial director – FP&A and Commercial at Cascades Containerboard Packaging, is another leader honored by Pulp & Paper Canada. Fillion’s multidisciplinary expertise, deep industry knowledge, and inspiring leadership distinguish him. He has been with Cascades since 2013, taking on increasing responsibilities and demonstrating strong decision-making skills, strategic insight, and an ability to leverage finance for commercial success.

The third honoree, Jason Perreault-Gélinas, Plant manager at Cascades Papier Kingsey Falls within the Cascades Specialty Products Group, began his career at the plant as a student in 2014. His leadership has cultivated a culture of continuous improvement, and under his guidance, the plant has achieved record productivity levels. His team’s recognition of him with the 2023 Source Award for the “Stronger Together” value underscores his talent for uniting people toward collective success.

Kugenthini Tharmakulasekaram, Plant manager, in succession, for the Cascades Containerboard Packaging plant in Vaughan, Ontario, is the fourth Cascades leader to be recognized. Tharmakulasekaram, who joined Cascades in 2021, has quickly advanced to a management role, driven by her natural leadership and dedication to continuous improvement. Her initiatives have become best practices within the organization, and her emphasis on employee empowerment and peer trust has made her a model of team spirit.

In addition to these individual accolades, Cascades was awarded a 2024 Canadian Grocer Impact Award for its Cascades Fresh GUARD EnVision™, a packaging solution for eggs made entirely from recycled fiber. Launched in June 2024, this product was recognized in the Sustainability category for its combination of robust protection and visually impactful design.

“Seeing our employees and innovations so widely recognized fills us with pride and encourages us to continue striving for excellence, both for our customers and the planet. Congratulations to our four rising stars who are making their mark in the industry, and to everyone involved in the success of the innovative Cascades Fresh GUARD EnVision™ solution”, said Hugues Simon, president and CEO of Cascades.

The Pulp & Paper Canada 2024 Top 10 Under 40 program celebrates the next generation of leaders in Canada’s pulp and paper sector, recognizing individuals under 40 for their leadership and achievements. The Canadian Grocer Impact Awards honor initiatives by retailers, suppliers, and partners that make a meaningful difference in areas such as environmental sustainability and community support. These awards are presented annually by Canadian Grocer, a publication with a 130-year history in the retail and grocery industry.