Celebrating excellence with the Mondi Diamond Awards

The MDAs provide a special opportunity to hear about some of the most exciting innovations and achievements across Mondi – both big and small – from the very people who have made them happen. Two winners from our 2024 Mondi Diamond Awards, Jessica Kärrlander (Safety, Health and Environment Manager, Mondi Dynäs) and Lars Nilsing (HR Regional Manager Nordics), share their personal reflections on the experience, including the rewarding learning journey with their fellow MDA finalists. 

Lars explains that they were encouraged to submit two of their culture initiatives together under 'Two Projects, One Powerful Impact on Our People'. One part focused on how they could increase the percentage of women working at Mondi’s Dynäs kraft paper mill in Sweden from 10% in support of Mondi’s group-wide target of employing 30% at Mondi. “Our 50-50 Recruitment project aimed to change our approach to recruitment and help make our mill an attractive employer for female applicants”, says Lars. 

The recruitment initiative had a significant impact, increasing female applicants from 10% to 28% in less than a year, with 36% of new hires being women. The percentage of women working at the mill rose from 11% to 17% in two years. Lars emphasises that the numbers are only part of the story. “The real insight came from the process itself—the creativity, collaboration, and courage it demanded,” he shared.  

The second part was around how the right culture could improve the mill’s safety performance. As the site’s relatively new safety manager, Jessica saw the team was struggling with personal accountability and prioritisation of safety. “So we initiated a programme called ‘Dynäs No Accidents – DNA’, aiming to foster a culture of awareness, care, and ownership, including involving employees in developing and executing the programme.”  

She recognised early on that the team needed a sense of ownership to drive meaningful change. “Engaging and involving our people from the start made them feel accountable for our safety performance,” Jessica explained. The results were evident in the significant improvement in the mill’s Total Recordable Case Rate, which decreased by 67% in one year. Beyond the metrics, Jessica described the initiative as a personal growth experience. “Developing the DNA programme taught me that when people share what matters to them and feel included, they thrive—and so does the organisation,” she added. 

Preparing for the MDAs became a transformative experience for both Lars and Jessica. The process helped them to showcase their accomplishments, requiring them to frame a compelling business case, tell a powerful story, and inspire their audience. “It felt like sharpening a tool—with every round of the Awards, our message became clearer and more impactful,” Jessica reflected. The team found themselves revisiting their achievements, considering what they had accomplished and why it mattered. As part of the MDA process, each team is supported by a coach to help make their story compelling – an investment that Mondi makes in MDA finalists as part of their learning journey. 

Winning one of the eight awards was a moment of celebration, but for Lars, the real reward was the learning journey. “At the Leadership Forum, we were surrounded by other winners whose projects showcased the diversity of ideas and approaches that make Mondi strong. Each project was unique, but all had a shared theme of innovation, collaboration, and growth,” he noted. “During the journey, we learnt skills that we’ll always carry with us—how to connect with an audience, refine a message, and lead with authenticity.” 

Jessica shared similar sentiments, calling the MDA process both challenging and rewarding. “Participating in the MDAs required heart, soul, and time, but it was absolutely worth it. The experience taught me how to tell my story, advocate for my ideas, and inspire others,” she said. For Jessica, the true prize wasn’t the trophy, but the growth and insights gained along the way. “I am so grateful for the opportunity. It is an experience that stays with you long after the spotlight fades.”