N.E.W. LEAN Conference Speaker Bios

Katie Chase & Jennifer Riley

Katie is a Manager for Operations Analysts including the Continuous Improvement Program at Thrivent. Katie has 10 years of Continuous Improvement experience in the financial industry. Katie is currently working towards her Black Belt.  

Jennifer is a Sr. Continuous Improvement Analyst at Thrivent. Jenny has 12 years of Continuous Improvement experience in the insurance and manufacturing industries. Jenny currently has her Black Belt and is working towards her Master Black Belt.  

Rick Fifield

Serves as Senior Improvement Advisor for Bellin Health in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he works to teach and coach on Lean Thinking and A3 Problem Solving. Previous role was Lean Coach at Ministry Health Care in Appleton, WI. He is certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Master Facilitator and is focused on process improvement to eliminate waste and provide value to the patient, drive strategic thinking and improved outcomes.

Angela Hansen-Winker

Angela is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in supply chain management and teaching. She has a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification with an extensive background that spans academia, consulting, and leadership. Angela has established a formidable reputation in the industry.

For the past 15 years, Angela has been a Lead Faculty member at a technical college, where she has influenced countless students through her expertise and dedication to education. Her academic credentials are further solidified by a Master's degree from Purdue University, specializing in industrial technology and adult learning/instructional design.

In addition to her teaching career, Angela has spent 10 years consulting for companies on various aspects of warehousing, inventory management, purchasing, transportation, logistics, distribution, and lean operations. Her consulting work is characterized by a strategic approach to improving operational efficiencies and driving organizational success.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Angela has made significant contributions to the educational sector as the President of a K-12 Board of Education, where she has played a pivotal role in shaping educational policies and initiatives. Her leadership extends to the global stage, having led study abroad programs and facilitated international instructor exchanges, fostering cross-cultural educational experiences.

With a proven track record in both industry and education, Angela continues to serve on several educational committees, contributing her expertise to shape the future of learning and development.

Katie Labedz

Katie Labedz is the President/CEO of a process improvement consulting organization. Learning to Lean helps companies to embrace the concepts of continuous improvement, leading to REVOLUTIONARY results through coaching, training and kaizen events. 

Katie is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, and sought after keynote speaker. She has been practicing Lean, Six Sigma and Project Management concepts for over 20 years. Katie is the epitome of perseverance. She has also authored two books, "How to Improve Absolutely Anything-Continuous Improvement in Your Home, Office and Family Life" and "How to Improve Absolutely Every Process-Kaizen for process improvement and fun."  You can reach Katie on LinkedIn, via her website www.learningtolean.training or via email info@learningtolean.training. 

Stacey Murphy

Stacey Murphy is a dedicated quality and continuous improvement professional with over fifteen years of experience in regulated industries. As the Director of Quality Systems Continuous Improvement at Nature’s Way, Stacey plays a pivotal role in implementing and optimizing processes to enhance product quality and safety. With a strong foundation in quality management and a passion for people, process, and systems, Stacey has been instrumental in driving initiatives that lead to positive change for quality teams and organizations. Outside of her professional endeavors, Stacey is an advocate for women in STEM and leadership and enjoys connecting with her family and nature at their log cabin in the Wisconsin Northwoods.

Joe Salscheider

Joe Salscheider is a dedicated professional known for his expertise in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence. With a career spanning over ten years in the manufacturing industry with Green Bay Packaging Inc, Joe has consistently demonstrated his commitment to enhancing processes and optimizing production efficiency.

For the past year, Joe has served as a Continuous Improvement Lead, where he has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and increase productivity. His analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills have enabled him to identify areas for improvement and implement effective solutions, resulting in tangible performance enhancements across the organization.

Prior to his role as a Continuous Improvement Lead, Joe excelled as a Production Manager for four years. In this capacity, he demonstrated exceptional leadership capabilities by overseeing day-to-day operations, managing production schedules, and ensuring quality standards were met. Joe's strategic vision and hands-on approach were key factors in driving operational success and achieving production targets consistently.

Throughout his career, Joe has been driven by a passion for operational excellence and a relentless pursuit of improvement. His collaborative leadership style, coupled with his ability to inspire and motivate teams, has earned him respect and admiration from colleagues and superiors alike.

Joe is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.