Employee Spotlight: Alana Clements – Driving Environmental Compliance & Sustainability at Inland Packaging
May 23, 2023
We are thrilled to introduce Alana Clements, our new Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Coordinator at Inland Packaging. With over two decades of experience in microbiology and environmental science, Alana brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for sustainability to our organization. We’re excited to continue our sustainability journey and investment by adding a dedicated resource to our team!
Alana’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Her extensive career in microbiology labs, including the Mayo Clinic Rochester and La Crosse County Health Lab, has equipped her with a diverse skill set in managing microbiological and chemical testing, risk assessment, and compliance auditing.
Alana’s journey to Inland Packaging was inspired by a close friend who spoke highly of their experience working here. Recognizing the opportunity to expand her expertise in manufacturing, compliance, permitting, and sustainability, she eagerly embraced her role at Inland Packaging. Her dedication to continuous improvement, resource optimization, and the utilization of environmentally-friendly products fuels her passion for making a positive impact on both the planet and people.
While pursuing sustainability in manufacturing presents its own set of challenges, Alana remains undeterred. She acknowledges hurdles such as cost, supply chain disruptions, availability, and resistance to change but firmly believes that with the support of leadership, the label and packaging industry can overcome these barriers. Alana’s vision for the future involves nurturing staff engagement and empowering them to drive sustainability initiatives, leading Inland Packaging towards success and growth in sustainable practices.
What Alana finds most fulfilling in her role is the opportunity to shape policies, initiatives, and collaborations within the printing and sustainability communities. She sees sustainability as an ever-evolving field that requires continuous learning, open conversations, and collaborative efforts. Her dedication to fostering a positive impact extends beyond the workplace, as she spends cherished moments outdoors with her husband and two children. Together, they embrace nature through activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, and kayaking. This summer, they are excitedly planning a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, further enriching their connection with the natural world.
Alana’s personal interests extend to gardening, knitting, and reading, allowing her to find balance and inspiration in her everyday life. Her unwavering belief that sustainability is an ongoing journey serves as a guiding principle, “Sustainability is not a stagnant thing that you do once and call it complete. It is a learning opportunity, a chance for ongoing conversation and collaboration.”
We are privileged to have Alana Clements as part of the Inland Packaging team, leading our environmental compliance and sustainability efforts with dedication, expertise, and a genuine passion for making a difference. Stay tuned as we continue on this sustainability journey together!
