uc davis lean six sigma training session

Lean Community of Practice

UC Davis Lean Community of Practice

The Lean Community of Practice works to expand the knowledge of Lean principles and practices and serves to support and promote a continuous improvement culture at UC Davis. By leveraging our collective knowledge, we want to build a broad and diverse network of practitioners interested in creating an agile, sustainable, and supportive infrastructure and a culture of continuous improvement at UC Davis.

Read more about establishing a Culture of Continuous Improvement at UC Davis 

Community Goals

  1. Create a learning forum focused on developing Lean and continuous improvement skills
  2. Increase members' knowledge and competency in Lean and continuous improvement
  3. Increase campus community knowledge in Lean and continuous improvement

The Lean Community of Practice will serve as a forum to connect people, enable dialogue, stimulate learning, improve skills, share knowledge, generate new knowledge, and much more. Lean, at its core, is about practicing respect for people and continuous improvement every day, with everyone. Through the sharing of a common language and experiences, we strive to use this forum to share tips, best practices, resources, and institutional knowledge to align and support our organizational missions.

Membership will consist of Lean and Continuous Improvement enthusiasts who are willing to share their experiences and learn from other like-minded individuals. Members have varying levels of training and experience in Lean and continuous improvement.


Lean Ambassadors Bench

In August 2023, Lean enthusiasts and process improvement advocates from across UC Davis gathered for the inagural in-person kickoff of the Lean Ambassadors Bench (LAB). This half-day workshop launched a new chapter for the UC Davis Lean Community of Practice, bringing together Ambassadors from Davis and Sacramento campuses to share the future of continuous improvement efforts. During the session, participants engaged in activities including: 

  • Setting 1-, 3-, and 5-year goals for the Lean Community of Practice
  • ADKAR Change Management exercises
  • Analyzing current and future states related to process improvement
  • Reviewing a completed Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Project case study

The ideas, insights, and strategies developed at this event laid the foundation for new initiatives to support a culture of Lean and continuous improvement at UC Davis. LAB members continue to meet monthly to implement these strategies and grow the community. 


Celebrating Progress and Impact

The 2023-2024 LAB Cohort concluded its first year with a celebration of shared learning, collaboration, and accomplishments.

đŸ‘‰ Learn more about the end-of-year celebration here.

The 2024-2025 LAB Cohort played a key role in the first Continuous Improvement Showcase - a half-day celebration of efficiency, innovation, and process improvement in June 2025.

  • Members of the Lean Ambassadors Bench (LAB) 2025-2026
  • NameOrganization
    Aaron EtcheverryCollege of Letters and Sciences
    Alicia WebberFinance, Operations and Administration, Administrative Innovation & Technology - Office of Business Transformation
    Amy BurnsFinance, Operations and Administration, Administrative Innovation & Technology - Office of Business Transformation
    Bernadette Hill-ComeauFinance, Operations and Administration, Administrative Innovation & Technology - Office of Business Transformation
    Andrey FurmuzanFinance, Operations and Administration, Supply Chain Management
    Phillip RoellUC Davis Health
    Maura McloughlinFinance, Operations and Administration, Supply Chain Management
    Lisa A De BartoloFinance, Operations and Administration
    Mayra Morales-MartinezStudent Affairs
    Erica AichwalderFinance, Operations and Administration, Administrative Innovation & Technology - Office of Business Transformation
    Valerie OrickFinance, Operations and Administration
    Krista NewberryUC Davis Health, Office of Medical Education
    Michelle AgnewFinance, Operations and Administration, Administrative Innovation & Technology - Office of Business Transformation
    John DolanContinuing and Professional Education
    Jessica Elizabeth KvichkoUC Davis Health
    Naomi RosarioFinance, Operations and Administration, Administrative Innovation & Technology - Client and Infrastructure Services 
    Peter BlandoInformation and Education Technology, Project Management
    Priya VenkatesanFinance, Operations and Administration, Administrative Innovation & Technology - Office of Business Transformation

    List of previous LAB Members

  • LAB Open Office (virtual) Hours
  • Lean experts (UC Davis Green and Black Belts) host a twice monthly virtual office hour. These office hours are true drop-in sessions, feel free to join anytime during the hour. Resources will be available to address questions about Lean Six Sigma, brainstorm process improvement opportunities, and discuss potential or in-process process improvement projects. See Events for schedule.
  • Lean Insights Quarterly Newsletter
  • Lean Insights newsletter, published quarterly and packed with insights and updates on continuous improvement at UC Davis. Read the Latest Lean Insights Newsletter.

    Be sure to join our distribution list so you don't miss an edition of Lean Insights!