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Willkommen Verbesserung!

(Welcome Improvement!)

What You Can Expect

  • Up to 4 days of amazing learning and networking 
  • Breakout Sessions 
  • Panel of Lean Experts 
  • Networking
  • Gemba Walks 
  • Bavarian Blast Waterpark 


The 2025 MLC Annual Conference embraces the theme "Lean Excellence: Building on a Legacy" to celebrate the evolution and  impact of Lean principles. This year’s conference will focus on honoring the foundational practices that have driven success while exploring innovative strategies to propel Lean excellence into the future.

Join us as we connect with leaders, practitioners, and visionaries who are shaping the next chapter of Lean. Together, we’ll explore how to build on past achievements, sustain momentum, and drive continuous improvement for lasting success.

Keynote Speakers



Alexandra Suchman
CEO and Co-Founder of Barometer XP

Alexandra (Alex) Suchman is a sought-after speaker and expert in workplace culture, engagement, and team dynamics. As CEO and co-founder of Barometer XP, she helps organizations unlock the power of play—not just as a fun activity, but as a research-backed tool that makes teamwork effortless, strengthens psychological safety, and drives performance. 

Her work removes the unspoken pressures that block team cohesion, allowing people to engage naturally, be themselves, and contribute their best. She is a go-to speaker for major organizations like SHRM, PMI, and ATD, and Barometer XP was named to the Story Exchange’s list of 12 Brilliant Business Ideas in 2023. 

Alex holds an MPP from The George Washington University, a BA in psychology from Colby College, and certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and DISC coach. She currently serves on the boards of SEAF and NASAGA. Alex lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and their beagle, Willow, who firmly believes that all “play” should involve treats. 

Session: Encouraging Continuous Improvement through Play

Play is an excellent tool for cultivating a mindset that foster continuous improvement and innovation. The ways people interact during play are very similar to real-life workplace dynamics, making play a low stakes opportunity for colleagues to experience what motivates different people and what holds them back in different situations, while also building trust and social capital.  

 This highly interactive keynote will explore how to incorporate play at work to maintain a culture of continuous improvement. You’ll learn a few simple activities, as well as techniques for structured reflection, that generate ideas for how to work together better going forward and enhance individual commitment and accountability to change.   


Mark Cruth
Principle Modern Work Coach, Atlassin

Focused on practice over theory, Mark is a pragmatic modern work designer and coach. With over a decade of experience experimenting with teamwork practices at places like Boeing, Nordstrom, Charles Schwab, and Rocket Mortgage, Mark's mission is to inject modern ways of working, a transformation mindset, and the power of expert storytelling into everything he does.

Today Mark works as the Principal Modern Work Coach for Atlassian, a company focused on unleashing the potential of every team! Mark spends his days coaching both Atlassian and customer teams on new ways of working, then sharing what he's learned at events around the world!

Session: Building on the legacy of Lean in the age of AI

While flashy AI tools promise efficiency at a massive scale, many organizations are falling flat as they apply AI to broken, bloated, or unnecessary processes. Before we make a process faster, we need to first make the system better!

During this interactive and thought-provoking keynote, we’ll explore how the core principles of Lean (removing waste, understanding value streams, and optimizing how work is done) aren’t just relevant in the age of AI…they’re essential. We’ll take a look at some real-world AI failures and then flip the script to show how Lean thinking can guide AI toward making a truly meaningful impact. Along the way, you’ll learn three actionable practices to help you integrate AI with Lean thinking in your day-to-day life. So let's lead the future of work, not fear it.


Breakout Speakers

Introduction - White Belt Certification

The White Belt Certification will be comprised of three 90-minute breakout sessions designed to introduce the origin, principles, and fundamentals of Lean from a high level. 

Stephanie Welch

Training Director | MLC

Stephanie has over 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, she specializes in training and continuous improvement. Her career has been dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a culture of learning and development.  She is passionate about developing and teaching continuous improvement and professional development courses, to share her knowledge and help others grow in their careers.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Applied Science from The Ohio State University, which laid the foundation for her career in the pharmaceutical industry.  Currently, she is a Training Manager at Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, where she continues to share her expertise and passion for professional development.

Stephanie was born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in St. Johns Michigan with her husband and their “mini farm” of animals.  In her free time, she loves to read and has plans to write a novel someday.


Jerry Browne

Jerry Browne is an experienced instructor that has been leading quality and continuous improvement trainings across the state of Michigan full time since May of 2023.  He has over 14 years of experience in quality and continuous improvement roles in a variety of industries including vaccine manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, paper/plastics manufacturing, industrial manufacturing and hospitals.  Jerry has received his Masters of Education in Instructional Design from Western Governor’s University where is capstone focus was on the transfer of training from the classroom into work practice.  He also currently holds associate and bachelor’s degrees in business administration.  Jerry has conducted Dr Deming’s red bead experiment across the state of Michigan, including the Annual Deming Conference at MSU.  He has presented at numerous Michigan Lean Consortium (MLC) events and has served as a member of the MLC Advisory Board.  Jerry has a tremendous passion for educating others, particularly in quality and continuous improvement methodologies. 

Interaction Sessions

Looking to dive deeper through shared experience and connection? These sessions are designed for maximum engagement, featuring peer-to-peer learning, group simulations, and interactive activities that spark conversation, insight, and collaboration. Whether you're solving problems together or practicing real-world applications, these sessions are all about learning by doing and connecting with others in the Lean community. Prepare to participate, reflect, and walk away with actionable ideas and new relationships.

Wednesday AM—Innovation without Boundaries: Unlocking Breakthroughs with What you Have


Sarah Tilkens,
Executive Coach, Consultant, & Founder of  The KPI Lab


Sarah is a dynamic executive coach and consultant, founder of The KPI Lab, where she operates at the intersection of problem-solving and operational excellence. Specializing in leadership development and Lean methodologies, she has over 10,000 hours of experience supporting individuals and teams in solving complex problems. With a Six Sigma Black Belt and a background in GE HealthCare, Sarah empowers high-growth teams to achieve breakthrough outcomes through innovative strategies. Her passion for coaching and community service drives her commitment to inspiring transformative change in both corporate and personal environments. 

Wednesday PM—Applying the Science of Play for Continuous Improvement


Alexandra Suchman
CEO and Co-Founder of Barometer XP

Alexandra (Alex) Suchman is a sought-after speaker and expert in workplace culture, engagement, and team dynamics. As CEO and co-founder of Barometer XP, she helps organizations unlock the power of play—not just as a fun activity, but as a research-backed tool that makes teamwork effortless, strengthens psychological safety, and drives performance. 

Her work removes the unspoken pressures that block team cohesion, allowing people to engage naturally, be themselves, and contribute their best. She is a go-to speaker for major organizations like SHRM, PMI, and ATD, and Barometer XP was named to the Story Exchange’s list of 12 Brilliant Business Ideas in 2023. 

Alex holds an MPP from The George Washington University, a BA in psychology from Colby College, and certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and DISC coach. She currently serves on the boards of SEAF and NASAGA. Alex lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and their beagle, Willow, who firmly believes that all “play” should involve treats. 

Thursday PM—Facilitate Like a Ninja: Techniques to engage, empower, and drive ownership for a winning experience


Adam Lawrence

Managing Partner of Process Improvement Partners, LLC


Adam Lawrence, the creator of the Wheel of Sustainability, is the Managing Partner of Process Improvement Partners, LLC. He has decades of experience in process improvement, targeted at manufacturing and business processes. Having facilitated hundreds of Kaizen events in multiple industries around the world, Adam aligns with leadership, engages teams, and creates sustainable results. Adam has mastered the use of many different process improvement methodologies, allowing him to implement the best strategy for each organization’s goals and objectives. He develops sessions that are fun, engaging, results-oriented, and laser-focused. Adam is 100 percent committed to ensuring the team has a winning result and a fantastic experience. Married to his wonderful wife, Peggy, for over 30 years, they have one son (Tyler, his IT department). Adam grew up in the Washington, DC area and received his BS in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech. He earned Lean certifications from the University of Michigan. Adam enjoys time with family and friends, loud music, traveling, the many great clients he has worked with (his extended family), and his many business adventures. 

Application Sessions

These sessions bring Lean principles to life through real-world case studies, project spotlights, and industry-specific applications. Learn how organizations have successfully implemented Lean tools and strategies to solve problems, drive improvement, and create lasting impact. Whether you're looking for inspiration, practical takeaways, or sector-specific insights, these presentations offer a valuable look at how Lean is being applied across diverse environments—from manufacturing to healthcare, education, government, and beyond.

Wednesday AM—Built for Good: Walbridge’s 30 Year Journey of Lean and Operational Excellence in construction application


LaShira Champion-King
Director of Quality Lean and Innovation at Walbridge

LaShira Champion-King is the Director of Quality Lean and Innovation at Walbridge, where she leads initiatives to enhance quality and drive innovation throughout the construction process. She is a Core Team member of LCI Michigan’s CoP. Renowned for her thought leadership and deep industry expertise, she frequently shares her insights as a Lean Coffee facilitator, guest lecturer, conference speaker, and an advanced facilitator at numerous collaborative and strategic meetings, conferences, and courses. LaShira is passionate about empowering construction professionals to achieve excellence through lean driven processes and innovative solutions. 

Wednesday PM—Hoshin Kanri


Troy Tungate

Lean Leader at GE HealthCare


Troy is a seasoned Lean Leader with over 25 years of experience driving transformative change across commercial, transactional, and supply chain operations as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Currently serving as Lean Leader at GE HealthCare (formerly GE) since 2022, he partners with commercial Presidents and functional leaders to exceed business targets through kaizen, KPI/DMS, HK/strategy deployment, problem solving, and leadership coaching. Troy has spearheaded Market Share Growth Hoshin Kanri, capturing significant market share from competitors through standardized sales processes, customer retention strategies, and iterative national launches, achieving double-digit orders growth in 2024. He has also championed Order to Cash Hoshin Kanri, reducing lead times and enhancing satisfaction by simplifying processes and integrating technology across highly matrixed organizations. With a proven track record in strategy deployment and people-focused leadership, Troy is passionate about sharing insights on leveraging lean principles to drive breakthrough performance and organizational success. 

Thursday PM—From Idea to Implementation: Establishing the Regulatory Effectiveness Office at SOM-LARA


Jaclyn Badder

Director of Regulatory Effectiveness Office (REO) | State of Michigan


Jaclyn Badder is the Director of the newly formed Regulatory Effectiveness Office (REO) within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).  

Jaclyn has spent her entire 16-year career in public sector work with the state of Michigan (SOM), spending much of that time focusing on organizational performance through lean process improvement efforts, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and customer experience feedback.   Prior to her position within REO, Jaclyn led the Organizational Performance (OPS) team, also within LARA for eight years.   

Jaclyn has a dual bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.  She is SOM Lean Process Improvement facilitator’s certified and Lean Green belt certified through Oakland University.   

Education Sessions

Geared toward participants with a solid foundation in Lean, these sessions dive deeper into intermediate and advanced concepts, offering opportunities to explore complex tools, strategies, and frameworks. Formerly known as "Active Learning Sessions," this track emphasizes hands-on, practical application through interactive workshops, simulations, and facilitated discussions. Whether you're looking to refine your approach or take your Lean practice to the next level, these sessions are designed to challenge, stretch, and strengthen your continuous improvement skills.

Wednesday AM—Engage and empower your teams to produce lasting results with the Wheel of Sustainability


Adam Lawrence

Managing Partner of Process Improvement Partners, LLC


Adam Lawrence, the creator of the Wheel of Sustainability, is the Managing Partner of Process Improvement Partners, LLC. He has decades of experience in process improvement, targeted at manufacturing and business processes. Having facilitated hundreds of Kaizen events in multiple industries around the world, Adam aligns with leadership, engages teams, and creates sustainable results. Adam has mastered the use of many different process improvement methodologies, allowing him to implement the best strategy for each organization’s goals and objectives. He develops sessions that are fun, engaging, results-oriented, and laser-focused. Adam is 100 percent committed to ensuring the team has a winning result and a fantastic experience. Married to his wonderful wife, Peggy, for over 30 years, they have one son (Tyler, his IT department). Adam grew up in the Washington, DC area and received his BS in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech. He earned Lean certifications from the University of Michigan. Adam enjoys time with family and friends, loud music, traveling, the many great clients he has worked with (his extended family), and his many business adventures. 

Wednesday PM—Unlock the full value of Continuous Improvement with 5 Key Steps for Change Adoption

Liz Gardner

Jamie Noble




Liz Gardner & Jamie Noble
Organizational Transformation Coaches | Jackson National Life Insurance Company

Liz Gardner and Jamie Noble are experienced lean, agile, and change management practitioners with a passion for empowering leaders and their organizations to achieve successful transformation outcomes. With a combined 20+ years leading lean and agile transformations at scale, coaching and educating leaders at all levels, and collaboratively developing thoughtful, right-sized frameworks for business agility and change management – Liz and Jamie are always looking for the next opportunity to share their insights with others.    

Based out of Lansing, Michigan, Liz and Jamie are both Organizational Transformation Coaches at Jackson National Life Insurance Company. Liz has her BA from Michigan State University and has been at Jackson since 2009; Jamie has her BS from Lawrence Technological University and has been at Jackson since 2010. Both Liz and Jamie are Prosci Certified Change Practitioners and ICAgile Certified Professionals in Agile Coaching and Agile Team Facilitation (ICP-ACC, ICP-ATF). Additionally, Liz has completed the Prosci Enterprise Change Management bootcamp and is a Development Dimensions International (DDI) Certified Facilitator.   


Thursday PM—Applying Lean Methodology to Communication


Pamela Weiss, MBA, PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, CCMP
Program & Project Manager | Orlans Law Group

Ms. Weiss is a dynamic program and project manager for the affiliated firms of Orlans Law Group, eTitle (title agency), and Revlegal (legal process consulting group).  She is a certified Project Management Professional and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt who manages a legal operations team providing high volume litigation services for the Detroit Land Bank Authority, the nation's largest land bank.  Ms. Weiss is the resident process improvement expert for other practices, including building standards and tools for efficient internal and external communication.  Her experience also includes providing legal process improvement consulting in corporate and government legal departments.  In prior roles, she has worked for the University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute on a grant program for defense industry clients and handled legislative affairs for two state representatives at the Michigan House of Representatives.  Her industry memberships include the Project Management Institute and legalops.com.  Education:  Indiana University, M.B.A. 


Thursday - Panel Facilitator & Group Session


Patrick Adams, CEO and Executive Lean Coach | Lean Solutions

Patrick is a dynamic leader with expertise in Lean implementation, Kaizen facilitation, and shop floor management development, backed by a Bachelor of Science, an MBA, and certifications as a High Performance Work Teams and Improvement Kata Trainer. With Tier 1 automotive experience and a bestselling book, *Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap*, Patrick inspires teams and organizations to achieve lasting success. As a professional speaker, he delivers actionable insights that drive real change.

Group Session: True North in Every Direction: Applying Continuous Improvement Across Industries and Life

What does it really mean to pursue Excellence in a world of constant change? In this session, we’ll explore how the principles of continuous improvement transcend industries—and even extend beyond the workplace into our everyday lives.

Using a personal story of legacy and the powerful metaphor of True North and target conditions, this talk will guide you through how to clarify direction, define meaningful goals, and stay adaptable while navigating uncertainty. 

Whether you're new to Lean or a seasoned practitioner, this session will help you connect deeply with the why behind your CI Journey. 


Mindfulness with Dave Kippen

Dave Kippen is offering a great way to start your conference day – with a bit of Mindfulness! Join Dave for a quick session before the day starts. Each session will have 3 elements: A short reminder of key elements of Mindfulness, a short mindfulness practice in the room, and a Mindfulness challenge for the day to keep you engaged and feeling present during the conference!



Brian DeVries, Improvement Advisor | Cornerstone Building Brands

Brian DeVries is a global leader with over 13 years of experience driving lean strategy and operational excellence across manufacturing, food processing, and distribution industries. Currently Sr. Manager of Continuous Improvement & Quality at Cornerstone Building Brands, he’s led CI efforts at several Fortune 500 companies, built global maturity frameworks, and empowered high-performing teams to deliver millions in savings. A former board member of the Michigan Lean Consortium and frequent guest on industry podcasts and stages, Brian is passionate about improving lives through people-first lean thinking. He’s also the author of The Big Thinking of a Small Knight and, when he’s not leading change, you’ll find him on the golf course, around the smoker, or hunting down his next great bourbon.  

Allison DeVries, Founder of Kaizen Kit & The Big Thinking Box

Allison DeVries is a seasoned marketing expert, creative strategist, and the founder behind three innovative ventures: Grey Castle Digital, Kaizen Kit, and The Big Thinking Box.

With over a decade of experience in marketing and design, Allison has led high-impact projects across marketing management, graphic design, trade show execution, print production, and sales team coordination. Her creative passion lies in crafting compelling visual narratives that bring a brand’s mission and value to life.

Allison launched Grey Castle Digital as a one-stop shop for digital marketing, branding, and design,empowering businesses to stand out with clarity and creativity. Her entrepreneurial spirit then led to the creation of Kaizen Kit, a subscription box designed to bring lean thinking and continuous improvement to life in a hands-on, engaging way for professionals and facilitators.

Building on that momentum, Allison created The Big Thinking Box, a powerful leadership and critical thinking experience for schools and organizations. Designed to ignite curiosity, courage, and collaboration, the box blends storytelling, STEM principles, and team challenges in a format that's both educational and inspiring.

A certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Allison brings process improvement to the forefront of everything she touches, making work not just better, but fun. She is on a mission to blend creativity with continuous improvement, proving that innovation thrives at the intersection of imagination and discipline.

Bonus Interactive Session: The Big Thinking Box Experience: Join the Order of Big Thinkers

Thursday, August 14 | 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM 

Inspired by The Big Thinking of a Small Knight, this three-faceted, hands-on experience invites learners of all ages to step into a journey of growth, creativity, and courageous thinking.

Participants will take on three themed quests:

  • The Squares of Silent Shadows – acting and speaking with confidence
  • The Chest of Curiosity – asking questions and seeking to understand
  • Breakpoint Ravine – experimenting with boldness and intention

Whether you’re in the classroom or the boardroom, this experience offers a unique blend of reflection, challenge, and fun,,, designed for students, professionals, and teams alike.

Join the adventure. Complete the trials.



Gemba Walks

Friday, August 15, 2025

Frankenmuth Cheese Haus | 10AM

545 S. Main Street

Frankenmuth, MI 48734



Park in the lot behind the building and enter through the front door.

Celebrating 50 Years on Main Street!

Specializing in an abundant selection of imported and domestic cheese. See where they make and package their own homemade signature creation cheese spreads and flavored chocolate cheese. Enjoy learning about their history and processes, as well as an opportunity to sample some of the products!


Amigo Mobility International | 9AM

6693 Dixie Highway

Bridgeport, MI 48722



Park in the spots closest to the front of the building and please enter through the front door surrounded by blue siding.

Amigo Mobility emphasizes continuous small improvements and team-wide annual Lean training. A recent shift from a 5-station line to 2-person production pods has boosted efficiency by over 10%. Attendees will see how Lean principles like flow, ownership, and respect for people are applied across a vertically integrated facility—from fabrication to recycling.

Nexteer Automotive | 9AM

3900 Holland Rd

Saginaw, MI 48601


Experience Lean in motion during this exclusive Gemba Walk at Nexteer Automotive’s Plant 4, a leader in driveline technologies with over 60 years of engineering excellence. Participants will tour key areas of the facility and see firsthand how Nexteer applies a wide range of Lean tools and principles to create efficient, innovative solutions.

PPE: Participants are encouraged to wear steel-toed shoes and safety glasses with side shields.


  Important Note:
Due to facility requirements, attendees must be pre-registered and provide identification in advance. Final headcount and attendee names are required by Monday, August 11 for security clearance.

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