For our latest edition of our #WinTogether CREW Spotlight, we spoke with Allie Danneker, Corporate Controller from HQ in Oak Brook. Learn about Allie’s unique road to Novipax and how she likes to spend her personal time being active in a variety of sports and traveling to explore new cities!
We hope you enjoy learning more about Allie as much as we did!
Where are you from?
“I grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and then moved to the suburbs of Illinois when I was 16. Then went to college at Villanova – outside of Philly. After that, I moved to New York for five years to work for PwC in public accounting. When COVID hit, I wanted to be closer to home, so I moved back to Chicago. I was still with PwC and then after two years, that’s when I found Novipax.“
When and how did you join Novipax?
“I was in the private sector of public accounting with PwC. And so naturally, most of those private companies are private equity held, manufacturing, family business style. That was kind of like my bread and butter when I was at PwC, and I knew that if and when I left, I wanted to stay in that industry. When the time came to start looking, Novipax kind of fit all the bills. It was a great size. It was private equity. It was kind of exactly what I was auditing, which is a funny coincidence. The chicken diapers were a different story… 😊.”
What is your job title?
“I applied for Corporate Controller – got Corporate Controller, but I feel like the day-to-day is more than I expected. I’m kind of putting my hands in a little bit of everything. I wear a lot of different hats. It’s great getting to see a little bit of everything.”
What do your day-to-day responsibilities consistent of?
“I’d say my normal day-to-day is obviously the accounting work. Going through month end close, financial reporting, getting appropriate things to the plants to kind of help them function better. On top of that, there’s budgeting, forecasting, and sales analysis, which is really interesting and helps me better understand all parts of the business.”
What is something unique that you have experienced at Novipax?
“It’s definitely going into the plants and seeing what they can do. I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel a lot more than I thought I would. It was great to get a face to the name, and not just be the one that’s sending emails to everyone. I tried packing some finished product in Rockingham once and failed miserably, so they probably never want me near the lines again! But it’s fun to go there, interact and kind of see how things are being made.”
What is your favorite thing about working for Novipax?
“I mean, it’s 100% the people. I’ve had a great interaction with everyone that I’ve met, whether it’s in Oak Brook or the consultants we have or the people on the lines. Everyone’s just great, and it’s obviously a testament to the fantastic culture at Novipax.”
What is your favorite activity in the Chicago area?
“As far as personal life, my favorite thing to do is intramural sports, like rec leagues. That’s my big thing – hate the gym, but will play basketball, volleyball, soccer, kickball. Any league in Chicago, you name it, I would probably be part of a team. That and obviously, the goal is to eat at every good restaurant in Chicago.”
What is your favorite restaurant in the area?
“Probably my favorite in Chicago is a Korean restaurant called Cho Sun Ok. It’s like this hole in the wall run by two Korean grandmas type place, but it’s such homey, authentic Korean food. It’s just so awesome and it reminds me of my grandma’s cooking.”
Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life thus far?
“Workwise – probably my dad! He’s coincidentally, conveniently in the exact same industry. He always makes the joke, “Wow, you just want to be me so badly.” We both love it. It’s nice to have someone so close that I can just talk about anything with because he genuinely knows every which way things work.”
What is your favorite hobby?
“Sports – that’s really all I do!”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“This is going to be controversial though because some of the people in the office would say that it’s not a talent (haha). We never run out of coffee. I find the most fun unique flavors. But if anyone complains anymore, I will be ordering Margaritaville coffee!”
What is your favorite vacation spot?
“I feel like I’m not a vacation person. I’m a trip person – I love exploring cities. I’ll never be the person that goes to a beach and lays around all week. It’s not like one spot every single time. In the past couple of years, I’ve been to Korea twice. I’ve been to Japan, different countries throughout Europe – Italy, France and the UK. Any chance I get I will try to go somewhere new. That’s really the goal for me.”
What is the last book that you have read?
“Silent Patient. It’s like thriller/murder mystery. I love that stuff. I read books like I binge watch TV shows – I have to finish it right away.”
What is your life mantra/motto?
“Stop and smell the roses. Which is so funny because I’m always doing stuff, but I try to find times to be like, take it easy. You know? Enjoy what’s in front of you kind of thing. I feel like it’s kind of easy to get caught up.”
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.