Packaging Alumni Association

Maria is a 1988 graduate of The School of Packaging who went on to have an incredible career as a Packaging professional within the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, Food and Beverage. She began her career by applying for a position she was not qualified to fill! This led to a job as a Packaging Engineer at Cadbury Schweppes Beverages and the rest, as they say, is history. She then joined Kraft Foods where she spent time working in Packaging R&D, Quality, Engineering and Product R&D, taking on roles of increasing responsibility, becoming a Director of R&D. Maria spent time working and living as an expat in Brazil and went on to become Director, Kraft Latin America Packaging, based in Miami, FL. Additionally, Maria provided leadership and oversight for the Michigan State University Packaging recruiting team, across Kraft Foods North America. With the creation of Mondelez International and spin-off of Kraft Foods in 2012, Maria was appointed Director of Packaging & Snacking R&D, Oscar Mayer, based in Madison, WI.

In 2016, she and Tracy Nameth founded The Packaged-Deal, LLC, and worked as independent Packaging consultants. Maria also worked in a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower formerly incarcerated men and women to lead whole and productive lives. She has also spent time managing her family’s restaurant in Chicago. 

Maria served on the School of Packaging Advisory Board at Michigan State University. Working closely with Packaging industry leaders, Maria helped provide oversight and strategic vision for the MSU School of Packaging in an effort to help them achieve their goals, improve its teaching, research and outreach programs consistent with the needs of the Packaging industry. 

Maria joined the MSU School of Packaging Alumni Association Board in January 2023. At this point in her career, it’s about giving back and she is driven to support and uplift future Packaging professionals. Go Green!