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Katrina Evans is operating in a complicated environment, but the EVP of global total rewards and human resources information systems at Berry Global is used to it. When Evans joined the organization in August 2024, it was amid a merger with Glatfelter and a spin-off of its health, hygiene, and specialties global nonwovens and films business. That process finished in November 2024, a few weeks before Switzerland-based Amcor announced it would acquire Berry Global in a $8.4 billion deal.
At the time, Evans was endeavoring to build her own team, a process that was put on pause due to the massive merger. Evans had to navigate the moment solo, but she didn’t shy away from the challenge.
“It’s just how the timing worked out,” the EVP explains. “I was in the process of putting together a team in the middle of these two huge events. But I saw it as an opportunity to help manage change and demonstrate my experience. I’ve gotten used to big moves like this over the years.”
There is a certain calmness to Evans that comes from managing change over the course of her career. The EVP says mergers are increasingly becoming a regular occurrence, and she’s learned to thrive amid the noise.
“My focus is helping people find that level of competency that helps prepare them for their next roles.”
Katrina Evans
Evans came to Berry to help level-set total rewards and assistance programs. The HR leader says she wanted to find more ways to attract and retain best-in-class talent for an organization whose mission she connected with. And given a whole new slate of leaders at the company, she knew that she needed to get to work right away.
“My first week coming in, I made it a point to meet with and connect to as many people as I could,” Evans explains. “The best thing you can do is really get out there and talk to people about what they see working and what’s not. And you want to have that conversation where people feel comfortable, not making them come in and talk to you from behind a desk. You need to meet people where they are.”
Evans took the time to meet with vendors and outside partners as well. It was a chance for her to gain a fresh perspective on how those relationships functioned, where to find new efficiencies, and which relationships to evolve.
The Communities You Serve
As an HR leader, Katrina Evans says that more organizations would benefit from being mindful about the communities they serve.
“Without a community, you don’t have a business,” the EVP explains. “There are so many ways that you can give back to places that make you what you are. That might be sourcing local talent. That might be providing scholarships or internship programs. I’m a big fan of organizations like the United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and food banks as well as ‘green’ giving back. Get out there and plant some trees.”
Evans says the rise and fall of so many cities and towns across the US can be tied to having access to resources and advancement opportunities. The best organizations are ones that find ways to become foundational to the areas they serve.
Since the acquisition announcement, Evans has been busier than ever. In her words, she needs to be in about fifty different places at once. It’s the transformational journey she signed up for; she just didn’t anticipate how quickly it would unfold. And regardless of how much she must pivot, Evans says she remains committed to mentoring her team.
“My focus is helping people find that level of competency that helps prepare them for their next roles,” the EVP explains. “For people in HR to fully understand how to serve their employees, you have to have those opportunities to get out there in front of people, not just sit behind the leaders doing it. I value giving people those opportunities to shine.”
Evans says she always wants to make sure her people have the tools they need to get to where they want to be. She strongly advocates for her people to become part of associations and resource groups where they can build their networks and continue their professional development.
Everything is always changing, but Evans proves herself in these moments. She remains a steady leader, ensuring her team is prepared for whatever future challenges that may come their way.
Alera Group’s premier Employee Benefits team, led by Brian Uhlig, has partnered with Berry Global for over a decade. By combining local expertise with national resources, Brian’s team delivers tailored, innovative benefits solutions that improve care and reduce spend for forward thinking employers. Brian’s clients have the peace of mind that comes from working with a trusted partner to address their most complex challenges. Alera Group is proud to support Katrina Evans and Berry Global.
