At Charter Next Generation, we recognize that well-being goes beyond the workplace. Supporting mental health and personal challenges is essential to helping our employee owners feel valued and cared for every day. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential, 24/7 support for a wide range of needs—from counseling and financial guidance to legal help and wellness resources. It’s available to employees and their families whenever they need it, in the way that works best for them. We’re committed to creating an environment where seeking support is encouraged and stigma has no place. Learn more about how we are Enhancing Lives at https://cnginc.com/about-us/who-we-are/
Charter Next Generation's High School Scholarship Program reached its 9th year with record participation! This year, we awarded 40 scholarships to graduating seniors throughout our sites. Each student received $200 to help with tuition, textbooks, or technology as they take the next step in their education—furthering our dedication to Enhancing Lives. Congratulations to the Class of 2025, and thank you to our employee-owners for their participation in this year’s program. We look forward to seeing bright futures ahead for each of these students! Learn more at cnginc.com
Charter Next Generation participated in two meaningful days of connection and inspiration alongside an incredible group of women in leadership. We gathered at our CNG headquarters for a workshop led by Jeanne Sparrow, Emmy Award-winning media personality and founder of Fearless Authenticity. Her session focused on powerful storytelling, confidence, and communication. The following day, we attended The Chicago Network's 37th Annual Women in the Forefront Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. The event welcomed more than 1,500 professionals to celebrate and advance women's leadership. Cady Coleman, PhD, former NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut and United States Air Force Colonel, shared reflections on resilience, innovation, and representation in science and technology. Empowering women is part of how we lead at CNG. These moments reminded us what it means to show up, speak with intention, and lead with purpose. Thank you to The Chicago Network and Jeanne Sparrow for creating space to grow, connect, and move forward together.
At Charter Next Generation, caring is more than a value—it is a core part of how we lead. Meet Jacob Henry, Shift Coordinator in Films 1 at our Lexington, OH campus. Since joining CNG in 2023, Jacob has brought heart, humility, and a strong sense of teamwork to every shift. A true people person, Jacob leads by listening, supporting others, and creating an environment where everyone feels seen and valued. Learn more about what it means to be an employee owner at cnginc.com
Charter Next Generation recently participated in a regenerative innovation workshop at Arizona State University, hosted by The Biomimicry Center in collaboration with the Self Lab and Biomimicry 3.8. Our representatives — Ryan McEneany (Principal Engineer) and John Garnett (Senior Vice President of Sustainability) — joined thought leaders from Microsoft, including Jeffrey Loth, and ASU’s Jeffrey Self of the Biodesign Institute. This design charrette tackled the challenge of sustainable packaging through the lens of regeneration across scales. We drew bio-inspired insights from the bumblebee (Bombus sp.), silk cocoon (Bombyx mori), and trees, exploring how natural systems can inform scalable packaging solutions. Thank you to Sara Aly El Sayed, Channing Schoneberger, Dayna Baumeister, Mark Dorfman, and Anika Chakravarti from The Biomimicry Center and Biomimicry 3.8 for facilitating such an engaging and forward-thinking session.
Bringing our purpose, #EnhancingLives, to the heart of policy conversations in Washington, D.C. This month, CNG participated in the 2025 AMERIPEN Annual Summit and Hill Visit, an opportunity to advocate for packaging policies that support sustainability, consistency, and consumer confidence. From flexible packaging producers to municipal leaders and policymakers, the conversations were collaborative and future-focused. We’re proud to lend our voice to these industry discussions—and to work toward a more circular packaging system while Enhancing Lives and protecting the planet. Learn more about our sustainability goals at https://cnginc.com/sustainability/overview/
Charter Next Generation recently hosted its second annual Summer of Sustainability event in Mansfield, OH, where employee owners and community members came together to recycle electronics, dispose of hazardous waste, and donate food to local United Way partners. From assembling hundreds of goodie bags to collecting 150 lbs of non-perishable food donations, our Lexington, OH team and volunteers demonstrated what it means to lead with our purpose of #EnhancingLives. When communities come together, lasting change is possible. Learn more about how we are charting a course for a better tomorrow at cnginc.com!
We’re proud to share that Charter Next Generation Chairman and CEO Kathy Bolhous has been named this year’s Women of Concern Leadership Award Honoree by Concern Worldwide US. In addition to receiving the award, Kathy sat down with Forbes contributor Gemma Allen for an inspiring interview, where she reflected on her personal journey—one grounded in resilience, belief, and passion. Kathy’s purpose-driven leadership has not only transformed the sustainable material science industry—it’s changing lives. Through broad-based employee ownership and the Bolhous Foundation, she’s creating opportunities for women and girls, helping break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures. Her leadership embodies our purpose of Enhancing Lives for a Better World, and her journey continues to inspire our employee-owners, partners, and communities every day.
Earlier this month, 12 Charter Next Generation team members stepped onto Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI (home to the Green Bay Packers) to begin a unique journey—one that starts with self-awareness, connection, and the courage to grow. Through QUEST, our immersive 2.5-day leadership experience, these employee owners explored emotional intelligence, mindset, and personal leadership style alongside Culture Logic’s Linda Pedelty and Nicole Polarek. Built to push boundaries, spark growth, and elevate potential, QUEST creates a hands-on, deeply personal environment where leaders strengthen relationships, build confidence, and leave ready to lead with clarity and intention. This is leadership at CNG: rooted in purpose, built on trust, and always focused on #EnhancingLives for a Better World.
We are pleased to share that Lisa Alteri has been appointed to Chief Operating Officer at Charter Next Generation. In this newly created role, Lisa will lead the enterprise-wide operations strategy, helping to accelerate growth while strengthening our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering unmatched value to customers. "Lisa has consistently demonstrated bold, strategic leadership, driving results while cultivating high-performing teams and innovation. As we position ourselves for the next phase of growth, Lisa's leadership will ensure that we continue to exceed the expectations of our customers." - Kathy Bolhous, Chairman and CEO of Charter Next Generation. Read the full announcement:
