Join us for a MLC Lean Virtual Coffee!
Virtual | Free For Members | 8:30am - 9:30am
What if we skipped the slides… and just talked Lean?
For April’s Virtual Coffee, we’re piloting something new (or maybe returning to something classic): a fully interactive, discussion-based session designed around your questions, challenges, and real-world experiences.
The Lean Roundtable is an AMA-style (Ask Me Anything) community conversation — no formal presentation, no lecture — just practical dialogue with fellow Lean practitioners navigating the same implementation hurdles, culture shifts, and leadership questions you are.
When you register, you’ll be invited to submit a Lean question, challenge, or topic you’d like discussed. Those submissions will help shape the conversation and ensure we’re talking about what matters most to you.
Josh Smith
Training Director | MLC
Josh Smith lives in Holland, Michigan with his wife, Samantha, who teaches 3rd grade, and their two sons; Hudson and Gordon. They are his world! They also have a chocolate lab named Maizey who is great playmate for the kids!
Josh is currently working at ZFS as the Director of Operational Excellence. Josh has been with ZFS since early 2020. Prior to that, he worked at US Marble, where he was introduced to Lean manufacturing and helped champion Lean implementations in multiple stone and marble manufacturing plants throughout the US.
Josh graduated from Ferris State University with a BA in Science-Integrative Studies. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.
Josh grew up on a small dairy farm in Morley, Michigan. He is an avid sports fan and very passionate about his teams – GO BLUE! Josh is a firm believer that the Tigers will someday make the world series again – and hopes he lives to see that day! Josh is also on the board of directors for the Zeeland Little League and he coaches baseball during the spring/summer seasons.
Melissa ShermanVice Chair | MLC
Melissa has worked in the utility industry for over 27 years, both for an Investor Owned and Cooperative, gaining experience in Electric and Gas Distribution Engineering, Business Support for Pumped Storage, River Hydro and Renewable Generation, Online Scheduling for Fossil Generation, and Enterprise Change.
Throughout her career, Melissa has instituted lean methodology while embedding change management methodology. From scheduling to warehouse redesigns, to value stream analysis. Melissa analyzes and measures the effectiveness of existing business processes and develops sustainable, repeatable, and quantifiable business process improvements. She analyzes data to drive problem solving, root cause analysis and functional area process improvement. Responsible for delivering significant results in Company Breakthrough Objectives.
She is passionate about leading others on their continuous improvement/lean and change management journey. She enjoys being able to share her love for teaching/coaching others and seeing the “ah ha” moments when someone truly understands the methodologies. It is through breaking down those methodologies in terms they understand that they can then tackle those big problems.
A Virtual Coffee offers a relaxed and engaging platform to connect with Lean professionals and explore meaningful discussions in a collaborative virtual environment. These sessions combine the best of our Coffee Chats and Book Club, offering a platform to discuss all things Lean, share professional challenges, and explore solutions with like-minded peers.
Opportunity to connect with other Lean practitioners and like-minded individuals.
Attendees are able to ask questions, interact with the presenter and other attendees virtually.
Leverage Collective Knowledge: Tap into the expertise of our MLC membership.
Focus on Lean Implementation: Discuss practical applications of Lean tools and strategies.
Networking Opportunities: Expand your network of Lean professionals.
Share and Learn: Exchange best practices and gain insights from others' experiences.
Stay Engaged: Stay connected with the MLC community and learn about upcoming events.
Join us for a session filled with ideas, insights, and inspiration—all from the comfort of your home or office!
Members: Free
Non-Members: $20
At the MLC, we do our best to be inclusive at every level of experience, whether it’s a conference, Gemba walk or any other of our membership activities.
An individual or organizational membership gives you a year’s worth of great Lean learning and networking at low- or no-cost!
