The Best of Excellence Rewired: Top Recordings from the COE Summit 2026
What does it mean to rewire excellence in an age of AI? This question guided our conversations at the COE Summit 2026, as we explored how companies are adapting in the face of rapid technological and organizational change.
Each year, the COE Summit is the culmination of months of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and anticipation. It means so much to our team to see the conference come to life and impact our community of members, friends, and partner organizations.
This year, we were proud to welcome an exceptional lineup of practitioners, researchers, and authors to help us navigate a time of transformation sparked by emerging technologies like AI. These speakers shared great insights and case studies on what’s possible, while reaffirming why strong processes, bold leadership, and robust problem-solving mindsets matter more than ever.
We were also fortunate to have the opportunity to record many of the sessions, ensuring that these conversations can continue well beyond the conference. Below you’ll find a curated list of five of the best-loved Summit breakout sessions, available exclusively to COE members on COE’s Digital Content Archive.
Consider this list only a starting point—there are simply too many incredible sessions to mention in this format. I encourage you to take the time to browse through all the videos and resources our speakers have generously allowed us to share. My hope is that you’ll find new inspiration and clarity for your OpEx and AI journeys.
Here’s to rewiring excellence together!
Kelly Reo, Executive Director of The Ohio State University Center for Operational Excellence
Explore top sessions from the COE Summit 2026 on COE’s Digital Content Archive:
As organizations rush to adopt AI, many are struggling to realize meaningful returns. In this highly practical session, Sandeep Chennikara and Blake Mohseni shared a proven process-driven framework for turning AI ambition into sustained business value using lean and continuous improvement principles. Attendees were introduced to the Discover, Design, Deliver method and examples of generative AI, automation, and change management in regulated environments. Participant feedback highlighted the session’s honesty, clarity, and applicability, with respondents calling it “thought‑provoking,” “highly relevant,” and essential for leaders navigating difficult but necessary conversations about AI value realization.
In this candid session, this team of NiSource leaders shared the story behind launching a new CI function with no blueprint—and a mandate to deliver $50M+ in hard savings while keeping O&M flat. From early executive vision to building momentum across 7,000 employees, the speakers walked through how “Project Apollo” evolved from cost-focused wins into a capability-building engine for the enterprise. Attendees valued the honest, “warts-and-all” perspective, praising the relatable examples, replicable frameworks, and insight into scaling CI culture in a complex environment. Many noted how closely the journey mirrored their own organizations, calling it a “great real story” with lessons they could immediately apply.
Stephanie Enarsuai offered an inside look at how JPMorgan Chase is integrating AI into its Lean Management and Operational System to drive consistency, objectivity, and employee empowerment in this standout breakout session. Armed with detailed case studies, she showed how AI-powered assessments, agentic tools, and data-driven huddle insights are transforming everything from manual analysis to daily problem solving across a global organization. Attendees praised the session’s practical depth and relevance, calling it “the best presentation” of the Summit and highlighting the value of seeing AI solutions that are actually working. This session is a must-watch for leaders exploring how AI can meaningfully enhance lean culture and operational excellence.
In this engaging and transparent session, Nate Greaves and Nathan Thorpe shared Crown’s journey of building an Operational Excellence strategy designed to last. From early deployment through ongoing iteration, they explored how purpose, feedback loops, and realistic pacing have shaped adoption and momentum across North American branch operations. Attendees praised the speakers’ energy, storytelling, and authenticity, describing the session as “electric” and “very relatable.” With functional frameworks, lessons learned, and clear dos and don’ts, this session offered “proof-in-progress” for any organization working to build a sustainable CI culture.
Professor Nate Craig cut through the hype surrounding AI to help leaders understand what the today’s technology can (and cannot) do in this compelling research-based session. Drawing on current AI research and historical parallels to past technologies, he explained why organizational impact lags behind task-level gains and why system-level change matters far more than isolated AI use cases. Attendees praised his ability to make complex concepts accessible, citing memorable examples like pattern recognition and point-versus-system thinking as major “aha” moments. With a dynamic, interactive style, Professor Craig challenged leaders to look beyond headlines and think more critically about how AI fits into operational and organizational contexts.
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.
