Celebrating the 2024 Avery Dennison Foundation Leadership Excellence Awardees

Avery Dennison Foundation

February 17, 2025

Community engagement and volunteerism are central to Avery Dennison's identity. Through the Avery Dennison Foundation (ADF), we strive to address global inequities and envision a diverse, equitable, sustainable global community where people and planet thrive.

Our employees champion this vision daily by leading community programs and through volunteerism. Their efforts enhance the quality of life in the communities where they work and live. Each year, Avery Dennison honors the best of their achievements through the Leadership Excellence Awards. In December, the 2024 Avery Dennison Foundation Leadership Excellence Awardees were honored at a ceremony held in Boston. Alicia Procello, president of Avery Dennison Foundation and vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility, recognized two individuals and two teams uplifting one or more of Avery Dennison’s company values: Integrity, Courage, External Focus, Diversity, Sustainability, Innovation, Teamwork and Excellence.

“Avery Dennison’s legacy of giving traces back to Stan Avery, our founder, who was a true champion of community engagement and volunteerism,” Procello shared during the awards ceremony. “Through meaningful acts of kindness and generosity, these employees are making possible new opportunities and an enhanced quality of life in the communities in which we operate.”

Congratulations to the individual employees and teams who received a 2024 ADF Leadership Excellence Award! Their inspiring work demonstrates how we can all live out ADF’s mission to create a more sustainable and equitable world.

Individual Awardees

Uplifting Diverse Cultures and Building Connections

Lesley Siuta, Regional Administrative Assistant for Materials Group, Reflective Solutions plants in Illinois, organizes 20 community-focused events annually across multiple shifts at Avery Dennison’s Chicago locations. Over the past nine years, she has coordinated more than 180 such events. She exemplifies and upholds many of Avery Dennison’s values by cultivating a culture of volunteerism. Her enthusiasm and integrity shine as she leads by example, inspiring her colleagues to get involved.

Fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment at our Niles and Mount Prospect plants has always been my passion. By celebrating diverse cultures and partnering with nonprofits, we've created a workplace where employees feel safe, valued, and empowered to share their stories. It's incredibly rewarding to hear why certain causes or celebrations hold special meaning for our team members. This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of an incredible group of people who make our events impactful and meaningful, and I'm grateful for their support and Avery Dennison's commitment to community empowerment.
–Lesley Siuta

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Sweet Acts of Kindness

Shelly Fetters's sweet acts of kindness demonstrate her creative approach to driving community engagement. An Avery Dennison delivery coordinator in Arkansas, Shelly uses her ice cream truck as a tool for good. She has raised funds for people experiencing homelessness, brought joy to nursing home residents and supported a tornado-stricken school in reopening its doors. Shelly’s commitment reminds us that the simplest acts of kindness can create ripples of change and bring smiles across communities.

Shelly Fetters (right), her wife Bridget Davenport (left), and Al Roker (center) help high school students celebrate the opening of their new school after a tornado devastated the area of Wynne, AR.

When I started my ice cream truck, I knew I wanted it to be more than a business—it had to give back to the community. For years, I’ve teamed up with friends in the food truck world to provide essentials like food, clothing and even cell phones to unhoused and underserved populations. This award was such a surprise—I couldn’t believe it when they described the nominee, and I realized it was me. Being recognized for something that brings me so much joy is humbling and incredible. Avery Dennison’s commitment to community aligns perfectly with my values, and I’m grateful to be part of a company that truly celebrates giving back.
–Shelly Fetters

Team Awardees

Continuous School Improvement Project
The Avery Dennison Thailand Team

The Avery Dennison Thailand team champions Education Access by partnering with a rural school in Thailand for the Continuous School Improvement Project. Over the past two years, the team has visited the school multiple times, working to improve its facilities and foster a relationship built on trust and mutual respect.

The team collaborated seamlessly with school staff to minimize disruptions while organizing repairs and educational sessions. They tailored activities to deepen student engagement, introduced monthly English lessons, and provided nutritious meals, reflecting a commitment to excellence and student well-being. By prioritizing inclusivity and integrating environmental education, they ensured equal opportunities and promoted sustainability, leaving a lasting impact on the school community.

This photo was taken during a school painting project. The Thailand team members include Jeerasak Pongsaue, Senior BK4 Team Leader; Sayan Komtanet, Coating Team Leader; Nithinunt Am, Admin Executive; Jiraporn Klinsuk, Assistant HR Service Lead; Sawanya Somchue, Human Resources Services Lead; Warunee Niamtang, Senior GWO Specialist—TH PY; Yupa Kutta, Admin Executive; Lalitha Velayutham, HRBP, Supply Chain, ASEAN; and Andy Xu, HR Director, ASEAN.

Avery Dennison Thailand teams have opened doors to new opportunities for students and teachers alike, showcasing how sustained collaboration can address inequities in education.

Community in Action: The Nuan Volunteer Association
The Avery Dennison China Team

The Nuan Volunteer Association is China’s first employee-led volunteer team. In 2024, the team organized 14 activities, engaging over 10,000 employees who contributed 353 service hours. Their efforts demonstrate the power of teamwork in advancing sustainability and economic opportunities for marginalized communities.

Working with local governments and nonprofit organizations, they initiated projects like blood drives, charitable donations and seven donation drive initiatives, which supported 500 disadvantaged individuals. The team’s signature initiative, the "I AM I CAN" campaign, empowered intellectually disabled children to create artwork, which was transformed into souvenirs using Avery Dennison’s production capabilities. These gifts were donated to disadvantaged groups, fostering inclusivity and demonstrating the power of combining business strengths with community service. The campaign also raised $9,755, benefiting 500+ individuals.

Congratulations to the Nuan Volunteer Association team members Vanessa Peng: VP, HR, N. Asia SG & Asia GWO; Heidi Leung: VP Gbl GPD, CPM & Mats App Sol; Jack Feng: Sr. Operations Director, China; Venus Liu: CS Director, China; Donna Zhang: Plant Manager, Nansha; Liang Wang: SZ PM & North China Ops Leader; Agnes Che: Sr. Admin Manager; Eunice Kong: Admin Manager; Sally Xiao: Asst. Admin Manager; and Rachel Yu: Admin Supervisor.

The “Nuan” team’s innovative approach and measurable success showcase how Avery Dennison China effectively integrates business operations, community engagement, and volunteerism, truly becoming a force for good.

Congratulations, again, to all the 2024 Avery Dennison Foundation Leadership Excellence Award winners! These awardees remind us of what’s possible when we align our efforts with our values. As we move into 2025, let us draw inspiration from their remarkable contributions and continue to uplift our communities as a force for good.

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