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• MLC Lean Virtual Coffee with Author Elisabeth Swan

  • When
    Friday, October 10, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  Join us for a MLC Lean Virtual Coffee with Author Elisabeth Swan!

  Virtual | Free For Members | 8:30am - 9:30am

  What we are Reading:

  Picture Yourself A Leader by Elisabeth Swan

  Picture Yourself a Leader is a guidebook designed to help problem solvers hone their leadership skills by recognizing growth opportunities and learning from real-world experiences. Through stories and illustrated vignettes, Elisabeth Swan shares lessons from her own stumbles and those of others, offering readers practical insights and invitations to experiment with their habits, mindsets, and skills as they develop their potential.

  The book defines leadership as untethered to titles or positions yet critical to influence and problem-solving. Whether leading a life, a team, or an organization, the micro-lessons provide actionable ways to improve collaboration, recognize strengths, and navigate common challenges. From listening better to breaking down silos, each chapter invites reflection and encourages readers to embrace their flaws while building better pathways for themselves and others.

  Grounded in methodologies like Lean, Practice Kata, and Six Sigma, the book offers a low-risk approach to testing new behaviors and discovering what works. With its unique combination of storytelling, illustrations, and practical advice, Picture Yourself a Leader serves as a versatile resource for professionals at any stage, helping them foster innovative, people-focused cultures while addressing everyday leadership challenges.

  Author

  Elisabeth Swan 

  President | Swan Consulting & Associates, Inc

  
  

  Elisabeth is a co-founder of Just-in-Time Cafe learning nexus, and co-host of the Just-in-Time Cafe podcast with mission to lift all boats with a rising tide of continuous improvement.

  She has consulted in the business process performance industry for over 30 years. Her experience spans from helping local non-profits expand their reach to guiding Fortune 100 companies through Lean Transformations. She has mentored thousands of people in improvement efforts generating millions in savings. She has deep experience coaching problem solvers and guiding leadership to operational excellence.

  An innovative educator, she was the co-designer and instructor for Lean Six Sigma Leadership Course at University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She is the Lead Instructor for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt at UC San Diego Health, and she also designs and runs Lean Six Sigma courses at UC Davis, and the University of Denver.

  She is the award-winning author of, Picture Yourself a Leader: Illustrated Micro-Lessons in Navigating Change, and the second edition of her co-authored, Problem Solver’s Toolkit: A Surprisingly Simple Guide to Your Lean Six Sigma Journey, is publishing in early 2025.

  What is a Virtual Coffee?

  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.  

  Why attend?

  • 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!

  Cost

  Members: Free

  Non-Members: $20

  New To The MLC?

  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!

  
  

  Show details
• MLC Lean Virtual Coffee with Tom Lego

  • When
    Friday, November 14, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  Join us for a MLC Lean Virtual Coffee!

  Virtual | Free For Members | 8:30am - 9:30am

  Topic: Toyota Material Handling and the Culture of the Toyota Production System

  Join us for an inside look at Toyota Material Handling and the culture that powers the Toyota Production System (TPS). Learn how TPS principles drive efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement—shaping one of the world’s most respected manufacturing systems.

  Speaker: Tom Lego 

  Brand Ambassador | Toyota Material Handling

  
  

  Tom Lego is a longtime Toyota Material Handling Associate and currently serves as the company’s Brand Ambassador. Since joining Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing in 1991, Lego has held a variety of positions, including management roles in sales administration, production control, material handling, purchasing, corporate services, technical, parts and sales training, kaizen project management and as the manager of Toyota’s customer center. In his current position, Lego serves as a corporate representative of the Toyota Forklift brand, and supports dealer, national account, supplier and community education visits to the company’s North American headquarters in Columbus, Indiana where he annually hosts thousands of guests interested in observing the Toyota Production System at work.

  

  What is a Virtual Coffee?

  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.  

  Why attend?

  • 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!

  Cost

  Members: Free

  Non-Members: $20

  New To The MLC?

  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!

  
  

  Show details
• MLC Lean Virtual Coffee

  • When
    Friday, December 12, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  Join us for a MLC Lean Virtual Coffee!

  Virtual | Free For Members | 8:30am - 9:30am

  What is a Virtual Coffee?

  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.  

  Why attend?

  • 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!

  Cost

  Members: Free

  Non-Members: $20

  New To The MLC?

  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!

  
  

  Show details
• Grand Rapids Lean Summit

  • When
    Friday, March 06, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    L.V. Eberhard Center (EC) 301 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
  • Spaces left
    89

  Register

  
  

  8th Annual Grand Rapids Lean Summit

  Monday, March 6, 2026

  GVSU L.V. Eberhard Center, Grand Rapids, MI

  
  

  Get ready to dive into innovative Lean strategies and connect with fellow professionals dedicated to driving continuous improvement. We promise a day packed with insightful sessions, hands-on experiences, and valuable takeaways.

  

  New To The MLC?

  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!

  

  
  

  Summit Registration Cancellations
  

  We understand that plans change. In the event you are unable to attend an event, refunds will be issued in full for cancellation refund requests received in writing via the events@michiganlean.org email at least seven (7) days before the event. Refunds will not be issued when less than a seven (7) day notice is provided. After submitting your cancellation refund request via email, please allow up to ten (10) business days for your refund to be processed. If the event is rescheduled, all purchases will be honored for the rescheduled event date. If the event is cancelled, all purchases will be refunded in full.

  
  

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• 2026 MLC Annual Conference

  • Start
    Tuesday, August 04, 2026
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    Friday, August 07, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    460 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440
  • Spaces left
    123

  Register

  
  

  Save the Date

  August 4 - 7, 2026

  VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center

  460 W Western Ave

  Muskegon, MI 49440

  
  

  New To The MLC?

  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!

  
  

  Conference Cancellation Policy

  We understand that plans change. In the event you are unable to attend an event, refunds will be issued in full for cancellation refund requests received in writing via the events@michiganlean.org email at least seven (7) days before the event. Refunds will not be issued when less than a seven (7) day notice is provided. After submitting your cancellation refund request via email, please allow up to ten (10) business days for your refund to be processed. If the event is rescheduled, all purchases will be honored for the rescheduled event date. If the event is cancelled, all purchases will be refunded in full.

  Show details