SPE recently announced its SPE Executive Committee for 2026 as well as a newly appointed Chair. With the recent merger of SPE and the PLASTICS Industry Association, the SPE Board of Directors is now officially called the SPE Executive Committee, which will be modeled after SPE's current leadership structure. 

Lynzie Nebel, Upstream Quote Engineer, Cytiva, will assume the position of SPE Chair starting on January 1st, 2026. The Chair’s term will run from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026. Dr. Praveen Boopalachandran, Senior Research Scientist & Global Technical Leader, Core R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, will serve as SPE’s Vice Chair/Chair Elect from January 1, 2026 until December 31, 2026, when he will start his term as SPE Chair on January 1, 2027.  Scott Eastman, Ph.D. Director of R&D, Arlon and DeWal Products, Rogers Corporation, will assume the role of SPE's Past Chair until December 31, 2026. 

"The 2026 Executive Committee is an incredible mix of people from across the plastics universe, spanning a wide range of experience and covering all corners of the industry," said Nebel. "I’m genuinely grateful they’ve chosen to step in and give their time to SPE. This year, we’re focused on building a part of the industry where members and emerging professionals alike feel more connected, more engaged, and more invested. SPE should be a place where people don’t just show up, learn, and leave, but choose to stay and grow. "

Additionally, SPE's Executive Committee includes:

• Patrick Farrey, SPE Chief Staff Executive
• Margaret Sobkowicz, Ph.D., Professor of Plastics Engineering, UMass Lowell
• James Waddell, Managing Partner, Plastic Concepts & Innovations
• Dan Falla, Senior Account Executive, Baystar
• Len Nunnery, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Technical Services, Plastics Engineering Company
• Mubashir Ansari, Ph.D., TS&D Scientist, Dow
• Todd Bier, Account Manager-Plastics, Palmer Holland
• Michelle Moran, Founder / President, ML Moran Consulting, Inc.
• Liz Zimbicki, Global Strategic Sourcing Manager, Professional and Marketing Services, PPG
• Gustavo Nechar, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Ascend
• Annie Gohn, Senior Program Manager for Research Commercialization, Pitt Clinical & Translational Science Institute 
• Tania Ferlin, Director of Sustainability Advocacy, Husky Technologies

“Over the next year, the SPE Executive Committee will strengthen networking across the plastics value chain and deliver member focused solutions aligned with SPE’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan," said Dr. Boopalachandran. "With this team’s breadth of expertise and commitment to action, this committee will be accountable to accelerate knowledge sharing, modernize the digital experience, and champion sustainability and inclusivity throughout our plastics community.”

Lynzie Nebel
Chair
Upstream Hardware Engineer, Cytiva
LinkedIn

Lynzie has dedicated her entire career to advancing the plastics industry, with a strong focus on her active involvement and leadership within SPE since becoming a member in 2006. Throughout her tenure, she has contributed to SPE in numerous impactful roles, including her ongoing service as Secretary and Executive Committee Member on the Board of Directors since 2018. Lynzie’s SPE contributions include restructuring membership tiers, launching events like Plastics in Clean Water, and creating initiatives such as daycare at ANTEC®.

Her commitment extends to specialized roles across multiple SPE divisions, including her past presidency of the Northwest PA Section and her work in the Injection Molding Division, where she founded and hosted the National Week of Injection Molding. Lynzie’s contributions to the PlastChicks podcast—garnering awards and reaching over 1,500 downloads monthly—further highlight her dedication to knowledge-sharing within the industry. Her continued service on the Foundation Board and participation in DEI initiatives underscore her commitment to the growth and inclusivity of SPE.

In addition to her SPE roles, Lynzie’s professional experience spans leadership positions at Cytiva, Tech Tank, and the Jade Group, where she has successfully driven strategic initiatives, process improvements, and customer engagement. Lynzie’s longstanding commitment to SPE, coupled with her professional expertise, positions her as an invaluable asset to the organization’s future.

Dr. Praveen Boopalachandran
Vice Chair/Chair Elect
Senior Research Scientist & Global Technical Leader, Core R&D
The Dow Chemical Company
LinkedIn

Dr. Praveen Boopalachandran is a Senior Research Scientist and Global Technical Leader at Dow Chemical Company, where he drives innovation and strategy across global technology initiatives. In his roles as Global Technology Network Leader and Global Process Analytical Roadmap Leader, he has defined technology strategies, delivered business-critical capabilities, and advanced Dow’s performance in innovation and people development.

Recognized as an influential leader and strategic thinker with strong business acumen, he has successfully led cross-functional teams in product commercialization, resulting in measurable business growth. A certified Six Sigma Green Belt, he is known for fostering collaboration, mentoring emerging talent, and inspiring teams toward shared goals.

An active member of the Society of SPE for more than a decade, Praveen currently serves as Director of Chapters and Secretary of the Executive Board, and has chaired the Polymer Analysis Division for over four years. His leadership has strengthened collaboration among chapters, advanced the formation of Technical and Regional Interest Groups and Student Chapters, and enhanced engagement across the global membership.

He has also played a key role in elevating the quality of ANTEC® through process improvements and the inclusion of strategic speakers. Deeply committed to SPE’s mission, he has contributed to initiatives such as the “Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics” program and the AI-powered Polymer Insights tool. With a vision centered on innovation, inclusivity, and digital transformation, he is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders and advancing the Society’s global impact.
 

Scott Eastman, Ph.D.
Past Chair
Director of R&D, Arlon and DeWal Products
Rogers Corporation
LinkedIn

Scott Eastman’s career in the materials and aerospace industries has been a blend of leadership, innovation, and strategic development. Scott’s current role as Director of R&D at Rogers Corporation's Arlon and DeWal divisions has him leading teams toward unified objectives within the company. Scott crafts and executes development roadmaps that align with corporate-wide strategies, integrating marketing, sales, and operations.

Prior to this, Scott's role at Henkel as a Global Key Account Manager in Aerospace included managing over $35M in global sales. His nearly decade-long contribution at United Technologies Research Center showcased his expertise as a Technology/Program Manager and Polymeric Materials Engineer. He not only developed disruptive technology roadmaps but also secured funding for feasibility studies that aligned with business needs.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Scott's involvement with SPE is extensive. His roles as a director, co-chair, vice president, and committee member reflect his commitment to advancing the field and fostering a collaborative community.

Scott's education includes holding a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, alongside a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Back to SPE 2026 Executive Committee.