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Vice President, Foodservice OperationsNovolex

Christine Dehaven, Novolex | Women Breaking the Mold 2025

Christine Dehaven, Novolex | Women Breaking the Mold 2025

Dehaven started as a human resources manager and has been with Pactiv Evergreen, now part of Novolex, for about 18 years.

Christine Dehaven’s first position in the plastics industry came about somewhat unexpectedly.

While working as a consultant for Ernst and Young, Dehaven was focused on mergers and acquisitions, and one project was connected to Alcoa. Although Dehaven was working in coal at the time, Alcoa had a product line that involved plastic substrates. She was constantly traveling and reached a point where she desired more stability, so she applied for a role at one of the local Alcoa plants in Illinois. Dehaven has worked across a wide range of plastics processes ever since.

Dehaven has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management with concentrations in finance and human resources. She started as a human resources manager and has been with Pactiv Evergreen, now part of Novolex, for about 18 years.

“When there was a need to strengthen the connection between operations and the workforce, I stepped in to support the team and ultimately transitioned into operations full time,” said Dehaven, who has held roles as production manager, assistant plant manager, plant manager, director of digital manufacturing and senior director of operations. She moved to her current role as vice president of operations for the foodservice and distribution businesses in 2023.

Dehaven is responsible for leading overall operational strategy, performance and execution across multiple sites. She focuses on driving efficiency, ensuring safety and quality standards, supporting team development and aligning operations with broader business goals.

“One of my proudest moments was reaching the point where no one could pull the wool over my eyes; I could confidently call out when something wasn’t true or possible. That shifted the perception to ‘she knows what she’s doing and she’s here to support us,'” Dehaven said.

“Christine breaks down barriers and redefines what leadership in manufacturing can look like, inspiring others to expand their own horizons. … Through determination and hands-on learning, she earned the respect and trust of teams and leadership alike, proving that expertise and impact are not confined to conventional paths,” said Taylor Jernigan, employee experience manager at Novolex.

“Beyond her professional achievements,” Jernigan added, “she actively supports women’s leadership through advisory roles and industry engagement, advocates for broader awareness of diverse career opportunities in plastics, and encourages others to embrace challenges and pursue passions, even if they lie outside traditional molds.”