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Thank you for joining us in Santa Rosa, CA for an inspiring look at continuous improvement processes at work. Learn more about our future events focused on culture and organizational excellence.

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9P ONE: FREE 30-DAY TRIAL

Sabrina Hebeler | Michigan State University – Infrastructure Planning & Facilities

Building Excellent Executive Teams

Natalie Harder | South Louisiana Community College

Everyday Excellence: It’s A Journey!

Lisa Herring | Birmingham City Schools

Look How Far We’ve Come (And How We Did It)

Donna Kirby | Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Customer Service and Why Service Excellence is Non-negotiable

Bonita Coleman | Ocean Springs School District

What We Learned in Year One of our Journey to Excellence

Resources You Heard About…

Performance Improvement

Continuous Improvement and Excellence

Strategic Planning

Customer and Employee Experience

Accelerate Your Peformance Podcast

AYP Podcast Episode 9: Stop the Subsconcious Behavior Infecting Your Organization

When we/they occurs within an organization, we shut down the possibility of achieving a great culture. This episode focuses on tackling this subconscious behvior and eliminating toxic behaviours that eat away at culture.

Listen to episode 9 >>

AYP Podcast cover art

The Accelerate Your Performance Podcast focuses on tactical actions to improve workplace culture. Dr. Janet Pilcher explores the practices and people behind top-performing organizations.

See all episodes >>

Performance Conversation Videos

Presentation Slides

DAY ONE

A Framework for Organizational Excellence • Improvement: Vision to Strategy to Execution • The Journey Toward Excellence: What We Are Learning • Learning to Improve: Bright Spots and Scaling Success • Increasing Student Retention in Alternative Teacher Certification • Eye on The Customer: Service Excellence and Our Improvement Journey • Accelerating Our Accountability: Leader Evaluations That Work • Turning The Corner: Improving Results • What It Takes to Behave As An Improving System

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DAY TWO

Moving Complex Organizations From “Beginning” to “Maturing” • Rounding: Impact on Results • Journey to Everyday Excellence • Bullseye: Using Clear Targets in Our Improvement Process • Professional Conversations: Take A Tactic Or Two With You

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Resources

Lead Change & Keep Your Team Engaged

If you’re need help building the momentum for excellence, try these 4 steps in From Hopeless to Champion from our 9P online platform:

Build Trust to Retain Good Employees

Employee retention was top of mind for presenters and attendees. To build trusting relationships that attract and make people want to stay, consider the 3 ways to build trust found in Trust: Consistency of Leadership or the 7 ways to Build a Bank Account of Trust.

Succession Planning Playbook

Podcast

Podcast MicrophoneAccelerate Your Performance
Every Monday, Dr. Janet Pilcher discusses Nine Principles® practices for improving company culture, service, and results.

Listen to the podcast >>

Session Slides

A Framework for Organizational Excellence
Janet Pilcher | Studer Education

Everyday Excellence: It’s a Journey
Natalie Harder | South Louisiana Community College

Our Journey Toward Excellence And What We Learned
Deanna Ashby | Hopkins County School District

Organizational Culture of Continuous Improvement
Dale Shaver & Allison Bussler | Waukesha County Government

Building Excellent Executive Teams
Sabrina Hebeler | Michigan State University – Infrastructure Planning & Facilities

Leader Rounding: What Does It Take to Listen?
Brian Glatter & Carla Ortego | South Louisiana Community College

Look How Far We’ve Come And How We Did It
Lisa Herring | Birmingham City Schools

Learning into Action: A Reflection on What We Are Learning
KK Owen | Studer Education

Connecting the Dots
Janet Pilcher | Studer Education

What We Learned in Year One of Our Journey to Excellence
Bonita Coleman | Ocean Springs School District

Customer Service And Why Service Excellence Is Non-negotiable
Donna Kirby | Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Reinvesting Operational Cost Savings to Student Learning
Casey Blochowiak & Rick Fechter | School District of Menomonee Falls

Important Employee Connections: 30/90 Day & Performance Conversations
KK Owen | Studer Education

Improving Perceptions of the Quality of Life in Escambia County
Ruthie Christie | Pensacola Young Professionals

Presenters

Click on each presenter below to read their bio.

Janet Pilcher - Studer Education Executive Leader and Co-Founder
Senior Executive and Managing Director

Janet Pilcher
KK Owen - Studer Education Leader Coach
Leader Coach

Karen “KK” Owen
Chancellor

Natalie Harder
Superintendent

Deanna Ashby
Director of Curriculum & Learning

Casey Blochowiak
Chief of Staff

Sabrina Hebeler
Board President

Faith Vanderhorst
dale-shaver-headshot
Director of Parks & Land Use

Dale Shaver
Director of Public Works

Allison Bussler
Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance

Bryan Glatter
Director of Accounting

Carla Ortego
Dr. Lisa Herring
Superintendent

Lisa Herring
Superintendent

Dan Woestman
Superintendent

Bonita Coleman
Vice President of Operations

Donna Kirby
Director of Facilities

Rick Fechter
Janet Pilcher - Studer Education Executive Leader and Co-Founder

Senior Executive and Managing Director

Janet Pilcher

Janet Pilcher is the founder and Senior Executive of Studer Education and a Managing Director of Studer Group. In 2010, Janet transitioned from higher education to work with the founder of Studer Group, Quint Studer, to determine how best to transfer leadership best practices in healthcare to education.

EXPERTISE

Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Continuous Improvement, Strategic Planning, Employee Engagement, Service Excellence, Operational Improvement, Performance Improvement

FRAMEWORKS

Evidence-Based Leadership, Nine Principles for Organizational Excellence

Full Bio:Read >>

KK Owen - Studer Education Leader Coach

Leader Coach

Karen “KK” Owen

KK’s passion is in helping organizations get better at getting better. She focuses on sharing what her partners around the country are doing and the amazing results they are getting. Her mission is to spreads better practices and spark creative inquiry among leaders to set them on a continuous improvement journey.

EXPERTISE

Service Excellence, Leadership Development, Continuous Improvement, Strategic Planning, Employee Engagement, Performance Improvement

FRAMEWORKS

Evidence-Based Leadership, Nine Principles for Organizational Excellence

Full Bio:Read >>

Chancellor

Natalie Harder

Natalie Harder became the Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) in 2012. SLCC has grown to be an institution serving more than 17,000 students annually through a 6200 sq. mi. area. With almost 25 years of experience in higher education and economic development, Natalie has served in numerous board capacities. Most recently she was re-appointed to the executive council of the board of trustees for the Southern Association on Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges where she currently chairs its audit and finance committee. She is chair-elect of the board of directors for One Acadiana, a regional economic development organization. Natalie is currently a director of the Lafayette General Health System Management Corporation. She recently served on the board of directors for the American Association of Community Colleges where she chaired its Public Policy and Government Relations Committee. In 2019 she was appointed to the Federal Reserve Board of Atlanta’s Human Capital Advisory Committee and to the board of the Higher Education Research Development Institute.

Email:natalie.harder@solacc.edu

Superintendent

Deanna Ashby

Deanna Ashby, the Superintendent in Hopkins County Schools, KY, sees education as her mission field. After working in public schools for 27 years, she believes education is a calling that can have a huge positive impact on the community as a whole. That’s obvious through her emphasis on Team Hopkins – One Team, One Mission, One Community.
Deanna has served as a high school business teacher, guidance counselor, school principal, and district administrator in Hopkins County Schools. She is also a member of the Kentucky Association of School Resource Officers board, the Kentucky Department of Education Facilities Focus Group, and a mentor for Kentucky Women in Educational Leadership.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business education, master’s degree in secondary school guidance, Rank 1 in secondary guidance, principalship endorsements, and professional certificate for school superintendent, all from Western Kentucky University.

Email:deanna.ashby@hopkins.kyschools.us

Director of Curriculum & Learning

Casey Blochowiak

Casey serves as the Director of Curriculum and Learning for the School District of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Casey has served as a high school social studies teacher, literacy specialist, associate principal, elementary principal, and high school principal. She believes in the capacity of all teachers to make a difference in the lives of students. Casey holds a BA from Marquette University, a master’s degree in literacy from Concordia University-Wisconsin and is completing her doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin- Madison in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Her research interest is the value of improvement science to education, with a specific focus on positive deviance mythology.

Email:bloccas@sdmfschools.org

Chief of Staff

Sabrina Hebeler

Sabrina Hebeler is the Chief of Staff for Michigan State University Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. In her role, Sabrina acts as an advisor to the VP and liaison to the entire organization through listening, connection, and translation. Additionally, a large portion of her time is spent directing the organization’s organizational assessment, strategic planning, and continuous improvement processes. Using her MBA and background in employee learning and development, she specializes in facilitation, change management, and organizational learning. In her time at Michigan State University, Sabrina has helped to develop, implement, and evaluate several organizational programs and provide various recommended solutions saving time, money, and providing employee engagement opportunities. Sabrina finds the most enjoyment out of connecting the work of employees to the purpose of not only the division of Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, but also to the success of Michigan State University.

Email:shebeler@msu.edu

Board President

Faith Vanderhorst

Faith VanderHorst, President of the Menomonee Falls (WI) Board of Education, leads an outstanding collaborative team of Board members as they, students, and staff relentlessly pursue excellence. Faith has served on the Board for over twelve years, six as President. Eight years ago, when their Superintendent retired, the Board actively recruited a new Superintendent who could lead change through Continuous Improvement, not the latest curriculum fad.
Faith began her career as a CPA with Arthur Anderson & Co. and left a successful sales position with GE Medical to raise her family. She served as PTA Treasurer and President in Cincinnati, and then repeated in Wisconsin. She joined the Board in 2007 and has served on all Board committees, having chaired Curriculum and Policy prior to becoming President in 2013. Faith also serves on the Menomonee Falls Scholarship and Education Committee, The STEM and Business Academy Advisory Boards and is on the Executive Committee for the Southeast Wisconsin Schools Alliance. Faith has served on the Studer Education Partnership Network Board since 2014. When not advocating for students, Faith and her husband Tim enjoy Wine Tasting and traveling. Faith holds a B.S. in Accounting from Miami University (Ohio) and is a CPA (Ohio), non-practicing.

Email:fvanderhorst@sdmfschools.org

dale-shaver-headshot

Director of Parks & Land Use

Dale Shaver

Dale Shaver serves as the director of the Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use. Believing that “culture eats strategy,” Dale empowers a team to provide high-quality customer service for a comprehensive range of services in economic and community development, land information systems, land use planning and zoning, private wells, septic systems, restaurant licensing, storm water management, recycling, a countywide park system, ice arenas, golf courses and an exposition center. Dale serves as a cabinet-level adviser to the county executive. Waukesha County is a 2019 9 Principles Champion. Dale draws his energy from encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and mentoring high performers. Outside of work, Dale enjoys fitness, the outdoors and soccer. Dale holds a master’s degree in land use and environmental planning from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Email:dshaver@waukeshacounty.gov

Director of Public Works

Allison Bussler

Allison Bussler has deep roots in public administration. Her grandfather and father were both elected officials who ignited in her a passion and appreciation for serving the greater good. Bussler has worked in county government for the entirety of her career – first, as a lobbyist for county transportation issues, and then as Chief of Staff to the Waukesha County Executive. Today, as Director of Public Works, she serves in close collaboration with a dedicated departmental team and an engaged group of community partners to construct and maintain quality transportation and building infrastructure for Waukesha County residents. Bussler holds degrees in Behavioral Science and Law and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. When away from the office, she enjoys college football and cheering on her three daughters as they participate in soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and more.

Email:abussler@waukeshacounty.gov

Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance

Bryan Glatter

Bryan Glatter serves as South Louisiana Community College’s Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. Glatter has worked in higher education for over fourteen years providing departmental guidance for accounting, budgeting, human resources, payroll, information technology, property control, and facilities management. As a first-generation college graduate, he is an advocate for changing lives through education. Glatter’s primary work goal is to maintain college financial stability while providing the best possible learning and work environments having been instrumental in design and oversight of multiple campus renovation projects. Prior to serving in higher education, Glatter worked in public accounting where he performed financial and compliance audits for state agencies and higher education. Bryan, a graduate of Nicholls State University, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He is active in the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO).

Email:bryan.glatter@solacc.edu

Director of Accounting

Carla Ortego

Carla Ortego is the Director of Accounting at South Louisiana Community College. Born and raised in Opelousas, LA, Carla moved to Baton Rouge to attend college at LSU where she obtained a master of science degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, she accepted a job with the prestigious public accounting firm, Deloitte and Touche, in Houston, TX and became a Certified Public Accountant. She eventually returned to her hometown of Opelousas and continued working in public accounting at a large local accounting firm there. After years of specializing in local government audits, Carla joined SLCC in 2012. When not at work, Carla enjoys spending time with her husband, Seth, and her three young children, Ella, Ethan, and Liam.

Email:carla.ortego@solacc.edu

Dr. Lisa Herring

Superintendent

Lisa Herring

Dr. Lisa Herring brings a servant heart and more than 25 years of experience in education with her to Atlanta Public Schools. A Macon, GA native and graduate of Spelman College and Georgia Southern University, she established her professional career by teaching in both public and private schools in urban and rural settings. These experiences allowed her to impact the lives of students from diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. Previously, Dr. Herring served as the Superintendent of the Birmingham, AL City Schools (BCS) system. Since joining the system as Superintendent, she led BCS through a significant transformation, stabilizing leadership, improving system performance and increasing student achievement. Under Dr. Herring’s leadership, BCS received its first award of full district accreditation after being under state takeover and conditional accreditation for several years. Dr. Herring’s focus on instruction significantly reduced the number of failing schools as identified by the Alabama State Department of Education school report
card. Among other accomplishments for Birmingham City Schools, Dr. Herring, in collaboration with the board, launched the system’s strategic plan, Force for Greatness 2018-2023, executed an organizational realignment to drive student achievement increased organizational effectiveness and established advisory groups to enhance stakeholder communication.

Email:suptoffice@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Superintendent

Dan Woestman

Dan Woestman is the superintendent for the Belvidere Illinois School District who works to bless the lives of others by helping them make good choices through his optimism, perspective, and knowledge. Dan believes all children are a vital part of the communities we live in and are our future, and that we have an obligation to give them the best learning experiences we can offer. He knows that schools have a tremendous influence on children both in and outside of the classroom, and that a high capacity, dedicated, and ever-learning staff are the most important resource schools offer children. Dan served as an English teacher for the Nebo School District in Utah, as well as an ESL teacher and administrator at Hononegah Community High School District in Illinois. He most recently served as the Chief Quality Officer for the Rockford Public Schools in Illinois for five years before taking his current position in Belvidere. Dan holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Illinois University.

Email:dwoestman@district100.com

Superintendent

Bonita Coleman

With a focus on academic rigor and relevance, innovation, and a strong commitment to building positive relationships, Bonita Coleman serves as Superintendent of Ocean Springs School District (OSSD), the Home of the Greyhounds. With over 20 years of experience in public education, Bonita’s WHY is to create opportunities to close, in creative ways, the achievement gap for students who have traditionally been under served wanting students to have varied choices upon graduation and believing that it is our work to prepare them to see the world beyond what they can currently envision. Under Bonita’s leadership, OSSD has expanded academic programming, launched innovative “grow your own” teaching programs, received national recognition for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses during her tenure, and the district has achieved an A rating every year of her superintendency. Bonita’s professional experience includes serving as a teacher, state department administrator, central office administrator, and Superintendent. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at William Carey University. A member of numerous national, state, and local boards, she has participated with national agencies and associations to reform K-12 education.

Email:bcoleman@ossdms.org

Vice President of Operations

Donna Kirby

Raised in southern California, Donna Kirby relocated to Pensacola in January of 2009, and is proud to call Florida home. Prior to joining the Blue Wahoos’ front office staff, Donna’s career was mainly based in the entertainment industry working for such leaders as Warner Bros, NBC/Universal, and The Walt Disney Company. During her tenure with the Blue Wahoos, Donna has managed several departments, including merchandise, community relations, promotions, non-traditional revenue, and stadium operations. In her role as Vice President of Operations, Donna manages an award-winning game day staff and oversees a robust surveying platform that has helped earn the Wahoos the title of #1 Fan Experience in Minor League Baseball. Donna studied Economics at California State University, Long Beach. On her days away from the stadium, Donna enjoys spending time with her dog, Maggie, learning new recipes for vegan cooking and exploring all of the exciting things there are to do along the Florida Gulf Coast.

Email:dkirby@bluewahoos.com

Director of Facilities

Rick Fechter

Rick Fechter has served as the Director of Facilities in the School District of Menomonee Falls for the past eight years. He has over 36 years of experience in the facilities department, previously working for two years as the District-wide Custodial Supervisor in the Germantown School District, and 26 years in the West Bend School District Facilities Department. He holds a master’s degree from Marian University in Organizational Leadership and Quality, Green Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma, Project Management Masters Certification, and the WASBO Facilities Manager certification. Rick was named WASBO Facility Manager of the Year for 2018. Outside the Facilities arena, Rick is active in the musical ministry at his local church. Rick has helped lead his Facility Team with the best scorecard results during the past six years at Menomonee Falls. He continues to develop the staff with continuous improvement tools and engagement levels.

Email:FechRic@sdmfschools.org

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