Cheryl Jekiel, Founder of the Lean Leadership Center, works with visionary organizations that require strong people strategies and systems to achieve their business vision. She and her team help leadership teams increase the capability of their people to create limitless organizational value. Ms. Jekiel has developed an expertise in optimizing lean manufacturing cultures while working with various organizations on their transformational journeys. Before opening the Lean Leadership Center, Ms. Jekiel held numerous senior leadership roles that included leading operations, human resources, and as a chief operating officer. 

As the author of “Lean Human Resources: Redesigning HR Practices for a Culture of Continuous Improvement”, Ms. Jekiel illuminates the role of HR in how organizations optimize people’s talents.   Ms. Jekiel also released a book in 2023 on “Let Go to Lead: Six Habits for Happier, More Independent Teams (With Less Stress and More Time for Yourself)”.  She lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband and two dogs, Sid and Ginger.