Lean Pioneers: The View From Here
Stories of Curiosity, Courage, and Continuous Improvement
On June 24, more than 80 staff from across UC Davis came together for Lean Pioneers: The View From Here, a virtual fireside chat hosted by Administrative Innovation and Technology's Office of Business Transformation (OBT) and the Lean Ambassador Bench of the Lean Community of Practice. Nine Lean Pioneers, joined by three moderators, shared authentic stories of continuous improvement across the university.
Lean Pioneers: The View From Here
Watch the recording of the June 24 fireside chat
While each journey was different, they all pointed to the same conclusion: meaningful improvement doesn't have to begin with a large initiative. It often starts with someone noticing a challenge, asking a better question, and taking the first step. And perhaps more importantly, improvement doesn't end there - it continues.
Opening the event, Radhika Prabhu, Associate Vice Chancellor of Administrative Innovation &Technology and Chief Operating Officer for Finance, Operations & Administration, reflected on the qualities shared by every pioneer:
"Each of our pioneers has a mindset for continuous improvement: curiosity, courage, and capability."
The Trailhead: Curiosity Starts the Journey
The first segment explored how improvement begins - with curiosity.
Jacqueline Dalke and Kate Marusina (Clinical Translational Science Center), Valerie Orick (Human Resources), and Dave Johnson (Student Affairs) shared stories demonstrating that meaningful change often starts by questioning assumptions, listening carefully, and viewing familiar work through a new lens.
Their experiences reinforced one of Lean's simplest ideas: before improving a process, take the time to understand it.
The Climb: Building Capability and Creating Momentum
The second conversation focused on the work of improvement itself - experimenting, learning, documenting, and refining.
Naomi Silguero (Administrative Innovation & Technology) shared how making work visible through process mapping her unit's VRA process helped uncover opportunities that had previously gone unnoticed. Steve Pigg (College of Engineering) reflected on the value of documenting and standardizing successful practices using Google Gemini so improvements can be sustained and shared.
As Steve summarized, "The clarity turned out to be where the real value was."
Their stories reminded attendees that improvement is rarely a straight path. It requires persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to learn along the way.
The View From Here: Sharing the Trail
Nathanael Rodriguez (Facilities Management) shared how thoughtful prioritization helps organizations focus on work that delivers the greatest value. Kim Stephens (Administrative Innovation & Technology) reflected on helping others navigate change, while Ashley Taylor (Pharmacy Services) encouraged attendees not to overlook practical solutions that can make an immediate difference.
As Ashley noted, "Don't be surprised if it's just a simple flip of a switch."
Together, their stories highlighted an important lesson - the real impact of continuous improvement comes when knowledge, tools, and lessons learned are shared so others can build upon them.
Every Pioneer Starts Somewhere
Closing the event, Office of Business Transformation Lean Consultant Steven Pervez challenged attendees to see themselves in the stories they had just heard: "When you look in the mirror later on, you're going to see a pioneer looking back at you."
Perhaps the greatest takeaway from the event was that none of these pioneers described reaching a finish line. Instead, they spoke about continuous learning, trying new approaches, adapting along the way, and building capability one improvement at a time.
Continue the Journey
The trail doesn't end with one conversation. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your continuous improvement practice, there are many ways to stay connected and keep building momentum.
Learn the Skills
Explore upcoming Lean training and workshops to build practical tools you can apply in your own work.
Join the Community
Connect with colleagues through the Lean Community of Practice to exchange ideas, learn from others, and share improvement successes across UC Davis.
Learn more about the Lean Community of Practice
Share the Trail
Know someone making a difference through continuous improvement? Recommend a Lean Pioneer and help us highlight those whose curiosity, courage, and commitment are inspiring positive change across our organization.
Recommend a Lean Pioneer Story
Read More About Some of the Pioneer Journeys
