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Building a business where inclusion is the norm

4 colleagues from kp from all over the world representing the International Women's Day

From left to right: Preyapat Techapitaktham, Luana Knollseisen, Estela Peralta & Bhakti Mahidharia

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a powerful event which advocates for inclusion. We’re proud to be an employer committed to creating a more inclusive environment but there is still a need worldwide for more progressive mindsets to be forged.
At the current rate of progress, the World Economic Forum estimates it’ll take until 2158 to reach full gender parity. That’s almost five generations from now.
 
Whilst we’re lucky to have so many amazing women working at kp, we want to play our part to speed up the rate of progress worldwide. Which is why we mark IWD on the 8 March each year.
 
IWD honours the achievements of women across all aspects of life; just as relevant today as it was a century ago, the day provides us all with a reminder to:
  • Engage with communities
  • Reflect on progress
  • Commit to positive action
As individuals, we can positively impact women's advancement by:
  • Calling out stereotypes
  • Challenging discrimination
  • Questioning bias
  • Celebrate women's success
Today we are sharing stories of four women from around the kp globe who have carved out exciting careers in packaging, and who’ve all had to challenge stereotypes along the way.

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Luana Knollseisen
HR Director, Group Functions

Luana2How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated with a degree in Business Administration and started my career in a railway company, working alongside engineers, technicians, and mechanics - often one of only a handful of women among 400 men. After a series of promotions, I decided to take a job at a start-up, which saw me build the local HR department from scratch. Ten years later (during which I relocated to Portugal), an exciting opportunity at kp arose. I joined as an HR Manager in Porto just over two years ago and immediately felt a strong sense of belonging which I put down to kp’s culture of inclusion.

Who are the women who have impacted your career the most?
There have been many, but my mother stands out. She always encouraged me to do my best, and taught me the importance of hard work, saying the world rewards effort, and to look at people in the roles I aspired to and learn from them. Above all, she emphasised the importance of understanding the “why” behind everything I did and being clear about what I hoped to achieve.

What advice would you give to young women who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
Human Resources is a complex field where people and numbers intersect – they’re not separate. I believe it is vital to treat people with respect, and that if you seek to understand the challenges faced by all areas of the business you’re working in and focus on solutions, not obstacles, you’ll go far. For me, it is important to give your best every day, knowing that your best today may not look the same as yesterdays, and accepting that some days won’t go as planned.
 
I’d also recommend securing a mentor - having someone with experience who is willing to guide you is priceless. They can offer real-world insights, support, and advice that goes far beyond what textbooks can provide. They can help you navigate challenges, avoid common pitfalls, and offer perspectives that can significantly accelerate your growth and build your confidence.

Bhakti Mahidharia
Head of Tax and Treasury

BhaktiHow did you get to where you are today?
I’ve only been at kp for six months, but I started my career 20 years ago training with Deloitte in London. I’ve worked across real estate funds, travel technology, female health, and now manufacturing. I’d say my experience in the travel technology industry was career-defining; being part of numerous complex and challenging transactions prepared me for the role I have at kp today.
 
How do you envision the future for women in tax?
Many of my peers are women and this is a positive change I’ve noticed over the past 10 years. I think the future will be interesting but also challenging, but I know more female representation will empower future generations, which is vital as it provides new perspectives. We then need to support each other and build a culture of mentorship, which is key for development in any industry.

How important is mentoring and what does that mean to you?
I believe mentoring provides a safe space which is invaluable and I can personally attest to the value I’ve taken from conversations with mentors when preparing to navigate professional challenges. For those considering becoming a mentor, I feel it offers an opportunity to invest selflessly in someone’s future.

Preyapat Techapitaktham
Site Manager Rayong, Pharma, Health & Protection and Durables

PreyapatHow did you get to where you are today?
I joined kp as an Executive Assistant almost 17 years ago. In that time I secured various promotions, before becoming the first woman Site Manager in Thailand. I take great pride in this achievement – not only was it a milestone in my career journey but it serves as a reminder to others that leadership roles are open to all in kp. Each day I continue to grow as a leader and am excited about the opportunity I have to help shape kp’s future.
 
Who are the women who have impacted your career the most? 
I’ve been inspired by many women who have challenged societal norms and proven that women can be strong, capable leaders. The most valuable skills I’ve learnt from them are courage, self-confidence, and adaptability – combined they give me the ability to navigate and thrive in constantly changing environments.
 
What advice would you give to young women who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
I’d say don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and remember that challenges and obstacles are part of the journey. It is important to believe in your potential, stay determined, and never give up. I feel that success comes to those who persevere and keep moving forward. If you dare to try, if you take some measured risks and learn from mistakes, you will continue to grow and improve.

Estela Peralta
HR Manager

EstelaHow did you get to where you are today?
I’ve worked in HR for over 20 years, mostly in the plastic packaging industry. There have been times when it hasn’t been easy – in the early days I often found myself sitting in heavily male-dominated meetings, and as a single mum, I’ve had to juggle my studies, work and beautiful family. However, I’ve always believed in myself and have never given up, and think my passion comes across in everything I do.
 
How do you envision the future for women in manufacturing?
I´m positive about the future of women in the packaging industry. Whilst we sometimes may feel the industry isn't inclusive enough and that our workforce should be more diverse, I reflect that many women have made tremendous progress so far. At kp we have great female leaders and I’m always reminding others that we must all take accountability, to ensure we can thrive together.

I strongly believe we need to create environments where everyone feels safe and empowered to contribute. The more varied contributions our teams can bring to the table, the more likely we are to succeed as a company.
 
What advice would you give to young women who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
I believe that in HR, you not only have to open your mind but also your heart. Empathy and respect are key; if you understand the needs and interests of the other party, you can successfully build a respectful solution in a disagreement. Respect has no gender.
 
There is no magic behind a successful woman, but I’ve experienced success, failure, happiness, anxiety, pain, and more. I’ve rebuilt my career twice and have overcome many difficult moments in my life. Even when I felt disappointed or made a wrong choice, I’ve sought to learn from the experience which has made me stronger, more persistent, and more skilled as I continue to shape my future.
 
Everyone needs to forge their own path, following their heart. To give advice is hard but I believe it helps to set clear goals (according to your strengths and aspirations), and by doing so you can take ownership of your career.

As we celebrate Luana, Bhakti, Preyapat and Estela, we hope we’ve inspired you to take action to advance inclusion. Together we can accelerate action and play our part to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.
 
You can find out more about IWD at: internationalwomensday.com
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