SPE recently announced newly elected Board of Directors members as well as a newly appointed president. Lynzie Nebel, Upstream Quote Engineer, Cytiva, will assume the position of SPE President starting on January 1st, 2026. The president’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 President-Elect from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026, when he will start his term as SPE President on January 1, 2027. 

Additionally, three SPE Directors have been elected to the Board of Directors. Dr. Mubashir Ansari, Technical Service & Development Scientist, Dow Consumer Solutions; Todd Bier, Account Manager-Plastics, Palmer Holland; and Michelle Moran, Engineering Manager, ML Moran Consulting, Inc. Each will serve a three-year term from 2026-2029.

Lynzie Nebel
SPE President
Upstream Hardware Engineer, Cytiva

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
SPE President Elect
Senior Research Scientist & Global Technical Leader, Core R&D
The Dow Chemical Company

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.
 

Dr. Mubashir Ansari
SPE Director
Technical Service & Development Scientist
Dow Consumer Solutions

Dr. Mubashir Anzari began his career in the oil refining industry, managing large-scale operations and leading teams through complex technical and organizational challenges. Motivated by a desire to advance materials science, he earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech, where he transitioned into plastics engineering with a focus on additive manufacturing and rheology—and where he first found a professional home within SPE. SPE became instrumental in his growth, providing mentorship, collaboration, and leadership opportunities that helped bridge his transition from academia to industry. 

At Dow, he has since led high-impact projects in polymer blends, additives, composites, and sustainable materials, developing PFAS-alternative processing aids and commercializing award-winning products that have generated over $300 million in value and more than 600 million pounds of product volume. Recognized for technical expertise, strategic foresight, and collaborative leadership, he continues to bridge research and market needs, driving innovation that advances both performance and sustainability in plastics.

SPE has remained central to Mubahir’s professional journey and leadership philosophy. Elected to the SPE Board of Directors in 2024, he launched the Society’s Southern Europe Chapter and began organizing its first regional conference to expand global engagement. He has chaired technical sessions, mentored students and professionals worldwide, and championed initiatives that strengthen SPE’s role as a platform for innovation, inclusion, and collaboration.

In his current customer-facing role at Dow, he engages directly with industry partners to co-develop sustainable solutions, deepening his perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping plastics today. As an SPE leader, he is committed to broadening the Society’s reach, modernizing its technical programming, fostering mentorship pipelines, and driving progress toward circularity—ensuring that SPE continues to unite and empower those shaping the future of the plastics industry.

Todd Bier
SPE Director
Account Manager-Plastics
Palmer Holland

Over the past three years on the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Board of Directors, Todd Bier has gained a comprehensive understanding of the Society’s operations and its engagement with diverse stakeholders across the plastics value chain. Through active participation in three ANTEC® conferences, two Polyolefins Conferences, and three CAD RETEC® events, he has connected with members, companies, and partners to better understand their needs and priorities.

As a commercial sales representative covering the Southeast and Southwest U.S., Todd serves as a direct link between SPE and the industry—regularly engaging with engineers, company owners, and purchasing professionals to promote membership, gather feedback, and identify opportunities for new conference themes and initiatives.

Todd’s “boots-on-the-ground” perspective has brought valuable insights to the Board, helping shape discussions on membership growth, revenue opportunities, and event development. His experience in sales complements the technical expertise of his fellow Board members, fostering balanced, productive collaboration that strengthens SPE’s strategic direction. Having witnessed the Society’s positive momentum and renewed growth, he is committed to building on that progress—expanding engagement, enhancing member value, and driving continued evolution within SPE.

Michelle Moran
SPE Director
Engineering Manager
ML Moran Consulting, Inc.

Michelle Moran is a seasoned professional with more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, where she has held senior leadership roles in product strategy, engineering, and program management. As President of ML Moran Consulting, Inc., she provides strategic consulting and technical expertise in medical devices and combination products, building on a career that includes leadership positions at EdgeOne Medical, Takeda, Shire, Baxalta, and Baxter Healthcare.

Her work has encompassed the development and commercialization of advanced medical devices, implementation of sustainability and quality initiatives, and mentorship of technical teams. Known for her collaborative leadership style, she is passionate about coaching and developing talent, fostering innovation, and driving organizational success.

A dedicated member of the SPE for more than two decades, Michelle has served in multiple leadership roles, including Chair and Past Chair of the Medical Plastics Division, President of the SPE Rochester Section, and a member of the Product Design and Development Division Board. She has chaired and moderated technical sessions at numerous ANTEC® and division conferences and was recognized with the SPE Outstanding Achievement Award (2001) and induction as an Honored Service Member (2013). Her long-standing commitment to SPE reflects her belief in the Society’s mission to advance knowledge, collaboration, and leadership across the plastics and medical device communities.

With her extensive industry experience and history of active involvement, she is eager to continue contributing to SPE’s growth and impact as a member of the Board of Directors.