May 27, 2026 – Madison, WI: The Wisconsin Paper Council (WPC) is proud to announce the recipients of its ‘Women in Forest Products Scholarships” for 2026. This marks the third year of WPC’s scholarship program and the organization’s continued commitment to supporting women pursuing careers in the forest products industry.
WPC’s Women in Forest Products Scholarship Fund provides financial support to female graduating seniors in Wisconsin who are pursuing a career in the forest products industry or a related field, as well as develops women currently in the forest products field as future leaders.
“The strength of our industry depends on the people coming into it and those choosing to grow within it,” said Kelly Guay, Plant Manager from Ahlstrom. “These recipients reflect both. Each brings a different perspective and path forward, which is exactly what our industry needs.”
This year, three scholarships were awarded to individuals representing different stages of their education and careers, reflecting the program’s goal of supporting both emerging talent and those already working within the industry. The scholarship awardees are as follows:
– Emily Demchik, a lead Product Scientist at Kimberly-Clark, was awarded a leadership scholarship to support her continued education through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Emily has developed strong expertise in tissue engineering and product development and is pursuing further education in process control to support her growth into future leadership roles within the industry.
– Elisabeth Van Schyndel, a graduating high school senior, was awarded a scholarship as she prepares to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study environmental science. Elizabeth has demonstrated strong academic engagement, leadership, and a clear passion for sustainable forest management and environmental stewardship.
– Pa Yeng Yang, an Electrical Engineer at Ahlstrom Thilmany Mill, was also awarded a leadership scholarship to support her pursuit of an Advanced PLC programming certificate at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Her continued focus on advancing her technical capabilities reflects her commitment to strengthening automation and control systems within mill operations.
The Wisconsin Paper Council will formally recognize this year’s scholarship recipients at its Annual Meeting at Lambeau Field in June, where award checks will be presented. The ceremony offers a chance to highlight their accomplishments and connect their success to the broader future of the industry.
“These scholarships are about removing barriers and helping women take the next step in their careers,” said Eden Lorbiecki, Communications and Planning Specialist at Wisconsin Paper Council.
The Women in Forest Products Scholarship Fund provides financial support to women in Wisconsin who are pursuing careers in the forest products industry or related fields, while also encouraging leadership development within the existing workforce.
The Wisconsin Paper Council founded the scholarship in coordination with Ahlstrom, a fiber-based specialty materials company with operations in Wisconsin. Ahlstrom provided the initial $20k seed funding to launch the program. Now in its third year, the scholarship continues to grow both in reach and impact, reinforcing the importance of building a strong, skilled, and diverse workforce across Wisconsin’s forest products industry. The scholarship fund is housed with the Women’s Fund for Fox Valley Region, Inc., which continues to serve as a key partner in administering and supporting the program.
About The Wisconsin Paper Council
The Wisconsin Paper Council (WPC) is the premier trade association advocating for Wisconsin’s paper, pulp, and forestry industries before state and federal policymakers. WPC also works to educate the public on the importance of the forest products industry to the state’s economy and communities.
About Ahlstrom
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials, serving a range of markets including filtration, food packaging, and healthcare.
About The Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, Inc.
The Women’s Fund focuses on creating and expanding economic opportunities for women and girls through education, leadership, and community investment.
For more information about the Women in Forest Products Scholarship, please contact Eden Lorbiecki, Wisconsin Paper Council at Lorbiecki@wipaper.org or call 608-467-6025 .
