I have always felt most alive when I’m outside in nature. As a kid growing up in Western New York, I spent countless hours outdoors – playing sports, climbing mountains in the Adirondacks, and swimming in the cool lakes of the Finger Lakes. I even once got caught up in a neighbor’s tree, prompting a call to my mom to come get me! Nature has always been my place of connection, clarity, and health.

That deep-rooted connection to the natural world has shaped my career in health and wellness. Anyone who’s spent time in nature knows its restorative power – it’s both a teacher and a healer. And it’s truly special to be part of a company that understands and embraces that connection.

At Atlantic Packaging, we believe that the health of our people and the health of the planet are deeply connected. When one thrives, so does the other.

When we launched our employee wellness program in 2012, we started with a Know Your Numbers campaign, offering onsite biometrics to help employees better understand their health. From that starting point, our program has grown into something much more holistic – guided by the principles of Prevention, Nourishment, Movement, Connection, Purpose, and Nature.

Through our wellness program, we’ve created a culture that says: your well-being matters here.

And we have seen the impact. Employees have logged more steps than we can count, connected through smoothie breaks, lunchtime walks, 5Ks, and more. I’ve had employees tell me – more than once – that Atlantic’s wellness program saved their life. That’s not just meaningful – that’s transformational.  Over the years, it has become clear that supporting employee well-being isn’t just a “program”—it’s part of how we do business.

In 2022, we launched A New Earth Project, our sustainability initiative focused on protecting oceans, lakes, and rivers from plastic pollution. As a packaging company, we sit at the intersection of commerce and conservation. That’s a responsibility we take seriously. From reducing our carbon footprint to designing closed-loop packaging systems, we’re working toward a healthier supply chain—and a healthier future. Because environmental health is human health—and we’re committed to being part of the solution.

This initiative, along with our commitment to employee well-being, is powered by a belief that health and well-being are the throughline connecting our employees, our business community, and our company’s vision.

We’re guided by a personal question: What kind of world do we want our children to inherit?
That question keeps us focused, keeps us honest, and keeps us moving forward.

That’s why we’re investing in the Nature at Work movement. Nature at Work reflects what we believe: that health connects everything—our employees, our communities, and our planet. By integrating nature into our daily operations, we hope to inspire other companies to do the same.

At Atlantic, we don’t talk about “saving the planet.” We talk about creating a world where people and nature thrive side by side.

It’s a story of optimism, resilience, and shared responsibility. By joining Nature at Work, we’re not just supporting a movement—we’re helping shape a future where workplaces heal, businesses regenerate, and communities flourish.

And we hope our story encourages others to write their own.