Nerida Kelton is the Executive Director of the Australasian Institute of Packaging, the peak professional body for packaging training and education across the Asian region. The Institute has been operating for over 63 years, and Nerida has been part of its journey for almost 27 years. Alongside this role, she also serves as Vice President of Sustainability and Save Food for the World Packaging Organisation and is the Australia and New Zealand Board Member for the same organisation.
Nerida Kelton | Executive Director | Australasian Institute of Packaging
These global and regional leadership roles allow her to work closely with packaging professionals, associations, and industry stakeholders from around the world. Through this exposure, she continues to learn every day and believes that no matter how experienced one becomes, there is always something new to understand. At EliteX, we are proud to have Nerida Kelton as part of the edition: 10 Elite Women in Business, 2026.
Her journey into the packaging industry was not a planned one. Nerida began her career as a media advisor for a non-profit youth organisation, where she developed strong skills in communication and storytelling. After some time, she felt ready for a change and applied for a role as National PR Manager in the labelling industry. The company she joined was the first in Australia to invest in a Mark Andy flexographic labelling press, and the role came with a steep learning curve. She spent long hours on the factory floor learning directly from flexographic printers and worked closely with sales teams to understand the differences between inkjet, laser, and label application technologies. At the time, the machinery and packaging sector was heavily male dominated, and she was one of very few women working in this technical environment. Despite the challenges, she enjoyed learning something completely new and found the industry fascinating.
“Be brave, love what you do, and say yes to new opportunities.”
This early role introduced her to the Australasian Institute of Packaging through its then President, who invited her to volunteer and support the organisation with public relations, media, events, and member engagement. When she turned 30, Nerida decided to start her own PR and event management company focused entirely on the packaging sector. For many years, she wrote technical articles and case studies for packaging businesses while continuing to support the Institute in a growing capacity. Over time, her involvement deepened, and eventually she was offered the role of CEO, now known as Executive Director. She has led the organisation in this capacity for the past 15 years and describes the packaging industry as anything but stagnant. Each day brings new challenges, innovations, and opportunities to grow.
One of her proudest career milestones has been her appointment as Vice President of Sustainability and Save Food for the World Packaging Organisation. Coming from Australia rather than Europe, she initially struggled with imposter syndrome, but she found the global community welcoming and supportive. More recently, she has been recognised with the inaugural Hall of Fame Award for Women in Packaging in the ANZ region and was awarded a Fellowship by the Australasian Institute of Packaging, an honour that holds deep personal meaning for her.
Throughout her career, Nerida has faced challenges related to both gender bias and perceptions of qualification. With academic backgrounds in linguistics, journalism, and public relations, she was often viewed by others as unqualified to lead a highly technical organisation. Instead of being discouraged, she committed herself to learning. She attended training courses, workshops, and conferences, asked countless questions, and built strong relationships with packaging technologists. Today, she is confident in her knowledge while also knowing when to seek expert advice. She credits the people around her for continually helping her learn and grow, especially in complex technical areas.
“Curiosity and asking questions helped me grow with confidence.”
Curiosity has been one of the most important skills behind her success. She is known for asking many questions and actively seeking opportunities to learn more about packaging technology, sustainability, recyclability, and Save Food packaging design. This passion continues to drive her work and keeps her engaged in an industry that is constantly evolving.
During difficult times, Nerida stays motivated by reflecting on how far the Institute has come under her leadership and the strength of her team. Leading a non-profit educational organisation without government funding requires adaptability and resilience. She also relies on a strong personal network that offers support, perspective, and encouragement.
Her leadership style is grounded in kindness, honesty, and approachability. She values listening, understanding people beyond their professional roles, and creating a positive environment where humour and openness are welcome. She believes that being authentic and not taking oneself too seriously helps build trust and strong relationships.
Balancing work and personal life has been a challenge, especially as her global responsibilities have increased. With the support of her family and husband, she continues to work toward better balance, recognising the importance of being present for loved ones as well as for her work.
To young women aspiring to leadership roles, Nerida encourages finding mentors from diverse backgrounds, staying curious, and continuously learning. She believes in humility, gratitude, and celebrating the success of others, reminding them that every journey is unique. Her message to readers is simple and sincere: choose work you love, be brave when opportunities arise, and say yes, because those chances may not come again.
“Every day is a school day, and learning never really stops.”