Looking for Interim Directors!

Seeking Interim MLC Directors (Term through Dec. 31, 2026)
The Michigan Lean Consortium is seeking three members interested in serving as an Interim Director, for events and outreach, effective from the date of appointment through December 31, 2026. These roles are a great fit for members who enjoy building community through strong programming and are ready to take on a leadership opportunity within MLC.

We are looking for candidates for the focus areas:

Large Events (Conference/Summits) – support the 2026 Annual Conference committee and lead planning for the 2027 Annual Conference plus 1–2 Summits, with cross-collaboration with Small Events, Higher Education Program Director and the Training Director.

Small Events (Virtual Coffees/Gemba Walks) – coordinate Virtual Coffees and Gemba Walks for Q2–Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, support pop-up events and collaborate with Small Events, Higher Education Program Director and the Training Director.

Outreach (Relationship Building) - lead and grow the MLC’s outreach program, build relationships with sponsors, partners, and prospective members, and assist events in identifying potential speakers.

Baseline qualifications for all tracks:

Member in good standing for 3+ years
Volunteer experience with MLC
MS Teams proficiency (or ability to learn quickly)
Availability for 4 all-day quarterly board meetings

Directions to Apply

1. Prepare your materials. Candidates will need to email the following to Pamela Burgess at pburgess@michiganlean.org:

Evidence of Lean practitioner experience (i.e., Certification)

Current resume

Written endorsement from immediate supervisor

One letter of recommendation (outside of your supervisor)

2. Fill out and submit the nomination form

Submit Your Nomination Today

Previous and former MLC Board members, please contact Pamela Burgess at pburgess@michiganlean.org for alternative nomination instructions.

Board of Directors Position Descriptions

Interested in seeing what each Board Member does? Check out the following position descriptions. These descriptions are working documents and subject to change.

Note: If elected, new members will work with existing board members to determine their position.

The Election Committee will review all submissions, conduct interviews, and finalize a candidate slate for membership voting in November. Feedback will be provided for all candidates.

If you have questions about the process or serving on board, please contact Pamela Burgess at pburgess@michiganlean.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I know which Board positions are open?

MLC Board members are elected to the Board at large, not to specific officer positions (such as Treasurer, Secretary, etc.). Once elected, the Board determines officer roles together as a team.

If you are interested in serving in a particular officer role, you can note that on your nomination for consideration.

2. Are current Board members being replaced?

No. Incumbent Board members may reapply along with new candidates. There are no term limits—Board members serve a three-year term and may run again when their term ends.

3. Does this mean people “run against” current members?

Not exactly. All candidates—both incumbents and new nominees—go through the same nomination and election process. Members of the Consortium will vote to select new or returning Board members from the full slate of candidates.

4. What if I only want to serve in a specific role, like Treasurer?

Since board positions are not elected separately, there is no guarantee that a specific role will be open at the time of election. If you have a preference (e.g., Treasurer), you may note that on your nomination. The Board will take this into consideration during position selection.

5. What is the length of service for a Board member?

Board members serve a three-year term. After that term ends, they may run for re-election. There are no limits on the number of terms an individual may serve.

6. What are the requirements to serve on the Board?

Candidates must:

Be a current MLC member in good standing
Attend all Board meetings (Annual Conference/State of the Business meeting in person, quarterly face-to-face, and monthly virtual meetings)
Volunteer at least twice per year (including one in-person event)
Have evidence of Lean practitioner experience (such as certification)
Submit a current resume
Provide a written endorsement from their immediate supervisor
Provide one additional letter of recommendation
Commit to a minimum of 5 hours per week to MLC Board responsibilities

7. How do I apply?

Prepare your materials:
- Resume
- Evidence of Lean practitioner experience (e.g., certification)
- Supervisor endorsement
- Letter of recommendation (outside of your supervisor)
Email your materials to Chenoa Reyes at creyes@michiganlean.org.
Complete and submit the online Nomination Form.

Note: Previous or former MLC Board members should contact Chenoa for alternative nomination instructions.

8. I don’t want to be on the Board, but I do want to volunteer. How can I get involved?

Not everyone needs to serve on the Board to make an impact! MLC has committees, event teams, and project opportunities throughout the year.

If you’d like to get involved—especially with events like the Annual Conference or upcoming Summits—please email admin@michiganlean.org to share your interests.