International Paper has appointed Katherine Collins and Lori J Ryerkerk to its board, with the additions taking effect on 1 October 2026.

Collins has worked for more than 30 years in asset management, sustainable investment, research and nonprofit governance.

She was most recently Putnam Investments' first head of sustainable investing. The role saw her establish the company's sustainable investment business, which managed more than $10bn in assets.

She previously held senior investment posts at Fidelity and is also founder and CEO of Honeybee Capital.

Ryerkerk has more than 40 years of experience in the energy, chemicals and specialty materials industries.

She most recently served as chairman, president and CEO of Celanese Corporation, where she oversaw a period of change that included the $11bn purchase of DuPont’s Mobility & Materials business, as well as sustainability-related programmes.

Her former positions include senior international manufacturing and operations roles at Shell, Hess and ExxonMobil. She also sits on the boards of Norfolk Southern, Cencora and Eaton.

International Paper CEO and board chairman Andy Silvernail said: "Lori and Katherine each bring exceptional leadership experience and a proven ability to help guide organisations through complexity and change.

“The strategic insight and experience they each offer will strengthen our Board and support the company's continued transformation."

International Paper’s two current directors intend to step down at the end of 2026: Dr Kathryn Sullivan, who joined the board in 2017; and Ahmet Dorduncu, who has been a director since 2011.

The leadership change comes amid a restructuring at International Paper, which offers sustainable packaging solutions.

This has seen the company downsize operations, most recently through the closure of Carrollton South packaging plant in Texas.