Lean Leader Certification Program
Fisher College of Business Executive Education is delivering a truly one‑of‑a‑kind professional opportunity: the Lean Leader Certification Program (LLCP). Designed specifically for middle and senior executives across all industries, this program equips leaders with the essential expertise to champion Lean transformation throughout their entire organization. This fully accredited, highly interactive experience guides participants through a strategically sequenced progression of powerful Lean concepts and tools.
Over four non-consecutive weeks, participants will experience a series of learning modules focusing on 4 key topics:
- People-Centric Leadership & Culture Transformation
- Lean Systems, Tools, and Technical Mastery
- Strategic & Systemic Impact
- Business Results, Measurement, and Capstone Integration
The 4 weeks of training are mapped to the Ohio State Lean Leadership Experience Body of Knowledge. In between the weeks of training, students need to apply the methods that they have learned in operations at their own companies and present their results to the class.
Each participant in the program must have a corporate sponsor to attest to the participant´s qualification for the program and to the results achieved through the homework assignments. Participants who successfully complete the four-week training and mentoring program, pass the two-hour certification exam and demonstrate successful implementation in their own facility will receive a Lean Leader Certification from Fisher College of Business.
- 1.1 Foundations of Lean Leadership
- 1.2 Workforce Engagement & Development
- 2.1 Lean Philosophy & Systems Thinking
- 2.2 Lean Tools & Techniques
- 3.1 Alignment with Organizational Strategy
- 3.2 Customer-Centric Innovation & Value Creation
Program Details
Program Dates
April 13-17, 2026
May 18-22, 2026
June 15-19, 2026
July 20-24, 2026
Registration Deadline
March 16, 2026
Delivery Method
4 non-consecutive weeks, on-campus at Pfahl Hall
Cost
$20,000
A group discount is available. Reach out to Beth Miller for more information about discounted pricing.
Prospective Participant Profile
Middle and top-level executives at any company who seek the essential knowledge necessary to drive Lean throughout their entire organization.
CECs
16 CEU (Continuing Education Unit)
160 CPE (Ohio CPA)
Requirements to Participate
Each participant must have a corporate sponsor to attest to the participant’s qualification and to the results achieved through the homework assignments.
Program Components
- Lead an organizational Lean implementation
- Create a detailed deployment plan based on baseline analysis
- Perform as a principal change agent
- Lead site teams to deploy plant-wide Lean methodologies
- Mentor project leaders, area managers and supervisors
Program Faculty
David Veech teaches operational excellence, lean systems, and lean leadership at the Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University. He is a retired Army officer having served over 20 years in uniform as an infantry officer and a member of the Army Acquisition Workforce.
David has written two best-selling books, taught at four universities, founded 2 successful international consulting firms that transformed organizations in dozens of industries and government agencies, co-founded a non-profit, owned a professional Ultimate Disk team, and founded a luxury travel agency (Clandestine Travel Ltd).
When he is not teaching or creating new content, you can find him on the road, traveling and creating exceptional memories with his wife Mary, kids and grandkids, and dogs. David loves orienteering, hiking, and photography. David is working hard toward walking a half-marathon in every US state and territory and on every continent.
Ellis New is a Guest Lecturer at Fisher College of Business teaching for over 20 years in the Total Productive Maintenance Certification, Lean Manager Certification, and Manager Maintenance Improvement Certificate programs. He has spent over 25 years as a Senior Management Consultant, advancing the principles of Total Productive Maintenance and Lean through ongoing client engagement with companies found throughout the Fortune 500 and Global 1000.
Ellis started his career with Pirelli Corporation where he played a key role in the company’s process improvement initiatives. Both at the plant, site, and corporate level.
He served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps (Aviation) and earned his degree in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Engineering (ME), Management, and Psychology.