Stan Bikulege joins Chris Fay to share the leadership philosophy behind building one of the largest packaging manufacturers in the world. Stan reflects on how family values, humility, and discipline shaped his journey from a blue-collar upbringing to leading a global organization with 23,000 employees.

Throughout the conversation, he explains how leadership isn’t about titles but about responsibility for the people and families behind the business. Stan also shares the lessons learned while scaling Novolex from a bankrupt company with just a handful of facilities into a global enterprise with more than 100 factories and billions in annual revenue.

Chris and Stan discuss the balance between speed and discipline in decision-making, the importance of strong partnerships, and how leaders must constantly think years ahead while acting in the present.

At its core, the conversation centers on a simple but powerful idea: great companies are built when leaders stay focused on people, integrity, and purpose.

What We Covered

• Leading with family values – Why leadership begins at home and extends into company culture.

• Scaling from 1,100 employees to 23,000 – The journey of growing Novolex into a global manufacturing leader.

• Building culture during acquisitions – How integrating multiple acquisitions requires humility and clarity.

• Decision-making at scale – Why timing, discipline, and integrity matter when leading large organizations.

• Balancing leadership and family life – How Stan stayed present for his family while running a global company.

• The future of leadership – Why data, technology, and strong values will shape the next generation of companies.

Connect with the Guest

Stan Bikulege
Chairman & CEO — Novolex

Connect with the Host

Chris Fay
Host — Built With Purpose
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fay/