JA New Brunswick Congratulates Mary Jean Irving, 2016 BHOF Laureate

Congratulations Mary-Jean Irving on your induction into the Junior Achievement New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame!

Mary-Jean is President and CEO of Master Packaging Inc., a state-of-the-art manufacturer of folding carton and corrugated boxes, and Indian River Farms Ltd., a diversified agricultural business. 

Raised in Saint John, New Brunswick, Mary-Jean is the daughter of James and Jean Irving. A graduate of York University in Toronto, Mary-Jean started her first business on Prince Edward Island in agriculture. Today Indian River Farms Ltd. utilizes leading agronomic practices and technologies to produce high-quality raw potatoes.

In 1996, Mary-Jean started her second business with the construction of a corrugate sheet plant in Borden–Carlton, Prince Edward Island. In 1998, she expanded to her second facility in Dieppe, New Brunswick. Most recently, Master Packaging Inc. completed a further expansion in Dieppe. Today, Master Packaging Inc. is the only folding carton plant and the largest corrugate business in Atlantic Canada. Master Packaging Inc. has also received a number of industry awards for their printing technology.

At the core of Mary-Jean's life purpose and pursuits lies a deep and abiding Christian faith that is central to her business. Mary-Jean credits her two daughters, Rebecca and Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Genevieve, as tremendous sources of pride, inspiration, and joy in her life.