Multi-Color Corporation appoints Kathleen Phelps as Chief Financial Officer

USA – Multi-Color Corporation, a global leader in label solutions for sustainable packaging, has named Kathleen Phelps as its new chief financial officer, effective October 13, 2025. 

The appointment comes at a time when the company expands its operations in eco-friendly materials and processes. 

Phelps steps into the role with extensive experience in managing finances for manufacturing firms, focusing on growth and operational efficiency.

According to company officials, Phelps has over 20 years in financial leadership, working with both private equity-backed and publicly traded entities in the industrial sector. 

Her background includes handling capital allocation, merger and acquisition deals, and large-scale business changes. 

These skills will support MCC’s ongoing projects in developing recyclable and compostable packaging options for consumer goods.

In her most recent position, Phelps served as CFO at FORTNA, a global distribution automation firm with annual revenue of US$1.4 billion. 

There, she arranged US$375 million in additional funding to aid expansion and day-to-day operations. Before that, she managed finances at Argos USA during its US$3.2 billion sale to Summit Materials. 

Earlier roles at WestRock and Newell Brands involved overseeing global units, improving profit margins, integrating acquired companies, and communicating with investors.

Hassan Rmaile, CEO of MCC, commented on the hire in a statement: “Kathleen’s experience leading through transformation and delivering results in complex, global environments makes her an ideal fit for MCC at this pivotal moment.” 

He added that her approach to operations would help connect financial plans with the company’s main goals.

Phelps will oversee the scaling of finance and IT teams at MCC, manage major transactions, and promote accountability across the organization. 

Her work will directly influence the financial side of MCC’s push into sustainable innovations, such as in-mold labeling that reduces material waste.

A report by industry observers notes that MCC has ramped up its sustainability efforts this year.

In September 2025, the company’s Global IML division secured three awards at the International Molded Decorating Association event, including recognition for sustainable use of in-mold processes. 

These honors highlight MCC’s advances in creating packaging that supports circular economy principles, like easier recycling for beverage and food containers.

The packaging summit hosted by MCC Label in Italy this August further showcased these developments. 

Attendees toured facilities and discussed trends in low-impact production methods. Phelps’ expertise in funding such initiatives positions her to guide investments in green technologies amid rising demand for eco-conscious labels.

Company insiders say Phelps’ track record in high-stakes deals will aid MCC as it navigates supply chain shifts toward renewable resources. 

Her indirect contributions to past firms’ sustainability goals, like cost-saving integrations that cut emissions, align with MCC’s current trajectory. 

Overall, the move signals a steady hand on finances as MCC targets broader market share in sustainable solutions.

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