The Best of COE Member Stories: Our Top 5 Recordings & Resources
As we step into 2026, we’re reminded of what makes the Center for Operational Excellence so special—our members. This consortium is built on the belief that we are stronger when we learn from one another, and over the years, we’ve had the privilege of hearing countless member stories through webinars, Summit breakouts, and site tours. These stories reflect the authenticity and openness of our community with its willingness to share both successes and challenges. These stories also reveal the depth of expertise and brilliance that exists across our network. I truly believe that many of the brightest minds in OpEx belong to our community.
To kick off the new year, we’ve curated a selection of five member stories available exclusively on the COE Digital Content Archive. These sessions span industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services, and explore themes such as lean transformation, change management, innovation, and strategy. Each session is a testament to what’s possible when organizations embrace continuous improvement and collaboration.
My hope is that you’ll find these stories from your peers inspiring and insightful as you set your goals for the year ahead. Operational excellence is all about the journey, and we’re honored to walk alongside you and be part of yours in 2026 and beyond.
With gratitude,
Kelly Reo, Executive Director of The Ohio State University Center for Operational Excellence
Explore COE member stories on COE’s Digital Content Archive:
- Influencing Up: Intentional Programming to Spark Strategic Innovation - Bethany Foy, Hannah Jacobs, Chris Neeson, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Discover how Ohio Mutual Insurance Group sparked cross-organizational innovation through a program designed to elevate strategic input from frontline employees. In this well-loved COE Summit 2024 breakout session, continuous improvement leaders share how they built new capabilities for smarter problem solving and stronger collaboration across teams. Their story offers a compelling look at how a financial services organization is redefining service excellence in a hybrid work environment. If you're exploring ways to foster innovation and agility within your organization, this recording is a must-watch.
- Lean Journey: Advanced Drainage Systems - Darin Harvey and Ricky Richardson, Advanced Drainage Systems
In this evergreen webinar from 2021, leaders from Advanced Drainage Systems share their ongoing lean transformation journey—highlighting how strategic and operational shifts are helping to deliver greater value to customers and shareholders. From grassroots efforts to executive-led initiatives, this case study explores the implementation of lean management systems, continuous improvement tools, and the challenges faced along the way. For anyone looking to understand how lean principles can be applied sustainably across an organization, this story offers timeless advice.
- Leading an Excellence Journey: The Why, What, and How – Dennis Delisle, Wexner Medical Center
Wexner Medical Center’s Dennis Delisle draws from his experience in healthcare to explore how leaders can align teams, drive strategic execution, and build a culture of continuous improvement in this breakout session from the COE Summit 2024. This highly rated recording offers practical tools and case studies that illustrate how evidence-based leadership and intentional team development can lead to stronger results and deeper engagement. If you're looking for a framework for fostering alignment and accountability across your organization, this healthcare member story delivers actionable insights.
- Change Management: JPMorgan Chase’s Journey – Jacquie Feimster and James Ray, JPMorgan Chase
In this insightful 2024 webinar, Jacquie Feimster and James Ray share how Chase has evolved its change management approach over the past decade to meet the demands of a rapidly shifting world. From laying a strong foundation to growing a mature change model, their story highlights strategic partnerships and practical steps that have helped build organizational resilience. You’ll gain valuable perspectives on navigating transformation, improving change competency, and aligning people with purpose.
- Supplier Relations: Cardinal Health, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Nationwide Children's Hospital - Jerry Searls, Cardinal Health, Phil Nolette, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Doug Huffman, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
In this standout session from the COE Summit 2021, leaders from Cardinal Health, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital share how they joined forces to tackle inefficiencies in the healthcare supply chain. Through a collaborative value-stream mapping initiative, the team uncovered disruptions in product and information flow from manufacturing to the patient bedside—ultimately reducing lead times and improving communication. This case study is a powerful example of cross-industry partnership driving real-world impact, with lessons in logistics, teamwork, and continuous improvement. If you’re interested in how supply chain collaboration can unlock innovation, you’ll want to check this recording out.
Get Started on the Members-Only Digital Content Archive
Not a member? Reach out to Annie Platten, COE's Associate Director, at platten.6@osu.edu to learn more about the benefits of COE membership.
