Connecting the Dots

Dr. Julie M. Smith is a trailblazer in large-scale organizational behavior change. Her methods have garnered global awards and are backed by a wealth of case studies featuring organizations of all types and sizes. She has helped organizations identify and execute a wide variety of Vital Behaviors, from key behaviors related to executive decision making for a global oil company to front-line behaviors of flight attendants for a global airline. She’s seen it all while helping her clients produce unrivaled results. As CEO of Performance Ally, her mission is to share her life’s learning about the most efficient path for leaders at all levels to transform best practices into common practice so they can reliably deliver promised results and create a top workplace culture. Dr. Lori Ludwig is renowned for her extraordinary skill in guiding organizations to align strategy with processes, roles, and behaviors, resulting in high-impact, meaningful results. With 20+ years of consulting experience across diverse sectors, ranging from Fortune 500s to nonprofits and small businesses, Lori’s work has had a transformative impact on a global scale. Her projects have elevated productivity and delivered tremendous value for her clients. Serving as Chief Performance Architect at Performance Ally, her mission is to disseminate the science of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) to create large-scale positive change. Lori simplifies its application, empowering organizations to unleash human potential, amplify impact, and navigate complexity effectively. * Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3 [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3] * CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release date Contact CEOD@bmhcc.org [CEOD@bmhcc.org] if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Gemma started her career studying Mechanical Engineering at Cardiff University. She quickly discovered the world of Continuous Improvement and spent 20 years working to improve processes and systems within various manufacturing industries including Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Dairy, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Food, and Medical Devices. She has been a CI Manager numerous times and an Operations Manager running a factory of over 500 people. Gemma is hugely passionate about Improvement and developing people and processes. She gets such a kick out of coaching and facilitating, especially when she sees the lightbulb switch on in someone's head – when they solve a problem; when they realize they have the power to change; or when they get excited about all the improvements they could make. In 2019, Gemma left the world of employment to establish her own business, SPARK Improvement, aiming to switch on as many lightbulbs as possible. Her mission is to help organizations and individuals be the BEST they can be, by helping people SEE, helping people THINK, and helping people CHANGE. Gemma is based in Cheshire in the UK, working globally. * Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3 [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3] * CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release date Contact CEOD@bmhcc.org [CEOD@bmhcc.org] if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Julie Simmons, now retired, worked with her husband Scott as part of the Scott Wade Simmons & Associates, LLC providing leadership coaching and training in Strategy Development and Deployment, Leadership Development, and the Improvement Kata & Coaching Kata. Julie always had a passion for helping others develop their skills, capabilities, and confidence to solve complex challenges in their organizations using scientific thinking. Julie had the honor to be a frequent speaker and presenter at KataCon.   Julie retired as the Executive Director for the Northwest High Performance Enterprise Consortium (NWHPEC) in January 2018 after leading the organization for fifteen years. As the Executive Director, Julie was responsible for promoting the vision, mission, and purpose of the consortium within the Portland and Vancouver business area.    Prior to joining NWHPEC in 2004, Julie worked at the The Boeing Company for 14 years as Flight Line Expeditor, Shortage Controller, Supply Chain Analyst, and Manufacturing Process Analyst. She developed her skills as a Continuous Improvement practitioner while working as a Manufacturing Process Analyst where she became a Certified Accelerated Improvement Workshop leader and supported several Shingijutsu led Kaizen events.   In retirement, Julie spends her time planning future travel, cooking for family and friends, and spending time with her husband Scott in all of their shared hobbies. * Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3 [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3] * CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release date Contact CEOD@bmhcc.org [CEOD@bmhcc.org] if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Mark Reich spent 23 years working for Toyota, starting in 1988 with six years in Japan in the Overseas Planning Division, where he was responsible for Product Planning and collaborated with Chief Engineers to define vehicle specifications for overseas markets. This pivotal time was when Toyota introduced the Lexus to the world. In 1994, Mark returned to the United States and transitioned to the Toyota Supplier Support Center (TSSC), a non-profit organization Toyota in North America established dedicated to the practical application of the Toyota Production System (TPS) across various sectors. While at TSSC, he worked to extend TPS beyond manufacturing into healthcare and non-profits, which remains a key focus of TSSC's mission. Mark joined Toyota's Corporate Strategy group in North America in 2001, serving as Assistant General Manager. He managed Toyota’s North American hoshin kanri process during a period of significant growth that saw sales and production nearly double over the next decade. Hoshin kanri was essential for aligning the organization during this transformative time. In 2011, Mark transitioned to the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) and has held several positions, including Chief Operating Officer and, since 2018, Senior Coach and Chief Engineer, Strategy. He has led lean transformations and coached executives in hoshin kanri across various industries, with clients including Freeman, GE Appliances, Legal Sea Foods, Michigan Medicine, Nucleus Software, and Turner Construction. Mark is now the author of Managing on Purpose, published by LEI in March 2025. This workbook is vital for leaders looking to implement hoshin kanri effectively within their organizations. It provides practical insights into developing corporate and departmental hoshins while fostering leadership development and innovation. The book includes a fictional case study featuring TrueMowers, allowing readers to apply hoshin kanri concepts in a relatable context. Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and specialized in Japanese studies at Nanzan University. He resides outside of Cincinnati with his wife and daughters. He is fluent in written and spoken Japanese. * Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3 [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3] * CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release date Contact CEOD@bmhcc.org [CEOD@bmhcc.org] if you have any questions about claiming credit.

Andrew is the Founder and Managing Director of Agility Consulting Group. He is a leadership enthusiast who is passionate about building leadership capacity to help organisations to make progress on big complex problems. He has been an Adjunct Faculty at the Australia Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of NSW for 15 years where he facilitates executive programs in adaptive leadership and leadership agility. He is also the author of Survive and Thrive; 120 Ideas to Cultivate Your Leadership Agility. and in 2025 launched Getting Unstuck – How Learning Bravely is a Superpower for Personal Change and Growth. Andrew is a Visting Faculty of the United Nations System Staff College where he has delivered a number of leadership programs in Turin. He can be contacted at cultivateagility.com * Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3 [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3] * CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release date Contact CEOD@bmhcc.org [CEOD@bmhcc.org] if you have any questions about claiming credit.