Upcoming Events
To learn more about each event, please click the event title.
CAPE Examiner Training - VIRTUAL
Become a CAPE Examiner and a Performance Excellence CHAMPION!
Register for CAPE Examiner Training to master the Baldrige Framework, learn to evaluate processes and results objectively, and provide impactful feedback. Through hands-on practice and expert guidance, you’ll gain the skills to help organizations thrive. Enroll now and make a lasting difference!
When: June 23-26, 2025
Where: Zoom hosted by California Council for Excellence
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CCE Board of Directors Government Relations Chairperson
CalPERS Board of Directors Vice President, All Member Representative
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I recently retired from Salem Health and Clinics as the Quality Assurance Administrator for the laboratory system. Responsibilities included the quality management system for four laboratories and several collection centers. I served as a College of American Pathologist surveyor and the safety officer for the laboratories. I am a certified green belt in Lean Six Sigma. At the state level, CAPE, I have nine years of experience.
At the national level, I have four years of experience.
Celebrating Excellence 2025 Conference
Celebrating Excellence 2025 Conference
July 24-25, 2025 • Long Beach, CA
Join us for two days of learning, best practice sharing, and peer networking. Get ready to discuss the pursuit of performance excellence, industry-leading results, and innovation – there’s something for everyone!
Read on to explore some of our featured conference events. ↓
Hyatt Regency
Located on a premier waterfront spot in the heart of downtown, Hyatt Regency Long Beach offers a combination of style, sophistication, comfort, and an ideal location.
Thursday, July 24
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Diane Brockmeier
President and CEO Emerita, Mid-America Transplant
2021 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
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Communication Power: Strategies for Impactful Conversations with Jan Jones
Effective communication needs to be clear and purposeful, where the message is understood as intended by both the sender and the receiver. It involves active listening, clarity, appropriate tone, nonverbal cues, and adapting the message to the audience to achieve mutual understanding and desired outcomes. In this session, we will review the goal of communicating, discover communication power builders and drainers, identify key obstacles to effective communication, and gain insights into strategies to improve all forms of communication.
Friday, July 25
Our general session day will feature two keynote speakers, multiple best practice breakout sessions, and a leadership panel discussion. It will conclude with the award and recognition ceremony, which will recognize our 2024 CAPE award recipients and honor our volunteers.
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TBD
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Dr. Joann Sternke
Leader Excellence LLC
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, Baldrige Master Examiner, and Baldrige Panel of Judges member
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Tony Scott
CEO Intrusion | ex-CIO VMWare, Microsoft, Disney, US Government
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Mizuho OSI, manufacturing
Valley Children’s Hospital, healthcare
We can’t wait to see you in Long Beach!
Third Thursday Webinar - May
Third Thursday Webinar
Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 8:00 am PT
TOPIC: Telling Your Story Through Systems: The Chickasaw Nation Health Journey
SPEAKER: Amber Wilson, Executive Officer of Quality
2024 National Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award Winner
Third Thursday Webinar - April
Third Thursday Webinar
April 17, 2025, at 8:00 am PT
TOPIC: Using Predictive Analytics to Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest
SPEAKER: Ken Cohen, CEO of The Synergy Organization
Quest for Excellence Conference 2025
COME. LEARN. NETWORK. ENGAGE.
Join us at the Quest for Excellence 2025! We are excited to bring the Baldrige community together to celebrate and learn from the 2024 Baldrige Award recipients.
Enjoy sessions featuring leaders of Baldrige Award recipients and other high-performing organizations and take home solutions to help your organization achieve breakthrough performance and results in areas such as leadership; strategy; customers; workforce; and operations.
Registration and Hotel Reservations
Both conference registration and hotel reservations will be made through Showcare. All hotel rooms must be reserved through Showcare.
Award Ceremony | Sunday, March 30
Join us Sunday evening for the Baldrige Award Ceremony and Reception honoring the 2024 recipients. Attendees have the opportunity to network with members of the Baldrige community, such as Award recipients, Examiners, Judges, Overseers, Fellows, Foundation members, and Alliance program representatives
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Keynote Presentations
This year’s Quest conference will feature keynote presentations by nationally recognized thought leaders, authors, and leading industry executives.
Opening Plenary Session
Following the Monday keynote, an opening plenary session featuring the leaders of the 2024 Baldrige Award Recipients.
Concurrent sessions
Monday and Tuesday will feature Baldrige Award recipients and other high-performing organizations speaking on relevant topics of interest, such as leadership and social responsibility, operational continuity and resilience, workforce issues, and customers and strategy.
Closing Plenary Session
The Wednesday morning plenary session will feature the 2024 Baldrige Award Recipients.
Third Thursday Webinar - March
Third Thursday Webinar
March 20, 2025, at 8:00 am PT
TOPIC: Our Path to Premier: A Baldrige Winner’s Journey
2024 Baldrige recipient, City of Henderson, shares its stories, lessons learned, and best practices as it embarked on a path to performance excellence.
SPEAKER: Polly Walker - Director, Director, Organizational Performance & Innovation
Third Thursday Webinar - February
Third Thursday Webinar
February 20, 2025, at 8:00 am PT
TOPIC: Our Baldrige Journey: Lessons From a 2024 Baldrige Recipient
Northeast Delta Dental shares the storyof their Baldrige journey and theirprograms and initiatives that align withthe Baldrige framework.
SPEAKER: Robert Kleiner - Director, External Operations Northeast Delta Dental
Manager Skills Workshop
Educate. Encourage. Inspire.
A Powerful Developmental Experience for Emerging Leaders.
The California Council for Excellence in collaboration with Bryan Williams Enterprise is proud to announce a unique & powerful workshop: Manager Skills Workshop. Join us for a one-and-a-half-day workshop designed for emerging and existing leaders who will benefit from learning and refocusing on the fundamentals.
Do you have a hardworking and talented person on your team who is ready to take the next step up to leading and managing others? Perhaps you know a new manager who is struggling to understand the new world of managing others. Unfortunately, we’ve found that the majority of employees who are promoted to a supervisor or management role were never given any type of formal training to do so. As a result, they oftentimes don’t feel set up for success, which can lead to your new supervisor/manager feeling frustrated, disillusioned, and ineffective overall.
This unique & powerful workshop, Manager Skills Workshop, will be hosted on January 23 (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) and January 24 (8:00 AM - 12:30 PM) at the North Inland Live Well Center in Escondido, CA.
The workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Bryan K. Williams.
The Manager Skills Workshop covers all of the basics of how to effectively manage others on a team.
Topics we will explore:
You as a Manager
Leadership
Delegation
Handling Problems & Conflict
Successful Meetings
Effective Communication
Motivation & Team Building
Improving Employee Performance
Day 1 is a full day and Day 2 is a half-day. Day 1 includes breakfast and lunch; Day 2 includes breakfast. Education on both days will begin promptly at 8:30 AM. Attendees receive workshop handout materials, educational resources, and certificates of completion.
Registration Cost
Non-CCE Member Registration: $545
Group (5+) Registration: $465
CCE Member Registration: $495
Third Thursday Webinar - January
Third Thursday Webinar
January 16, 2025, at 8:00 am PT
TOPIC: KPI Selection & Design: Connecting Measures to Results
Discover a better way to choose KPIs using simple, results-oriented methods. Learn how to engage teams, define meaningful metrics, and create a clear measurement system that aligns with organizational goals and the Baldrige Framework.
SPEAKER: Princess Cooper-Brown, Business Excellence Deployment Lead at Raytheon
Introduction to Lean Six Sigma
Introduction to Lean Six Sigma with Edwin Boon, Master Black Belt and CEO of The Lean Six Sigma Company
Are you ready to unlock the secrets to professional success and organizational excellence? Join us for an exclusive FREE webinar designed to introduce you to the world of Lean Six Sigma!
In just one hour, you'll explore the fundamental principles of Lean Six Sigma and discover how it can boost your career forward while significantly enhancing your organization's performance. Led by industry expert Edwin Boon, GE certified Master Black Belt and CEO of The Lean Six Sigma Company USA, this webinar promises to be both enlightening and empowering.
What you will learn:
Understanding Lean Six Sigma: Understand the core concepts and principles that drive Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
Essential Techniques: Learn key Lean Six Sigma techniques to optimize business processes, reduce costs, and elevate the quality of your work environment.
Creating Value: Explore how Lean Six Sigma enables companies to deliver more value to customers and stakeholders.
The Value of Certification: Discover the significance of earning a Lean Six Sigma certificate and how it positions you as a valuable asset within your organization.
Tailored Training Options: Explore the various trainings and find the perfect fit for your professional development.
Whether you work in manufacturing, healthcare, government, financial services, or any other sector, Lean Six Sigma offers valuable insights and strategies for driving continuous improvement and performance.
Do you aspire to enhance your problem-solving skills and become a catalyst for positive change within your organization? Are you curious about how Lean Six Sigma can unlock new possibilities for growth and success?
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about Lean Six Sigma and how it can benefit you and your organization.
Date: Tue, Jan 14, 2025
Time: 11:30 CST
Duration: 1 Hour
Third Thursday Webinar - DEC
TOPIC: What Can Alliance Programs Do For You?
WHEN: December 19, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. PT /9:00 MT / 10:00 CT / 11:00 ET
With the National Baldrige Award Program transformation using a subset of the Baldrige criteria starting in 2024 and beyond, the goal of this webinar is to shed light on how Alliance programs, leveraging the full Baldrige Excellence Framework, can help build high-performing leaders, organizations and communities. This discussion will provide valuable insights into how this network of programs across the U.S. supports and educates individuals and organizations to understand and utilize the Framework for organizational and personal improvement.
Laura Kinney is the Board Chair for Partners in Performance Excellence, a member of The Alliance for Performance Excellence (Alliance) Board and marketing chair for the Alliance. With over 20 years of experience in strategy, process improvement, and organizational performance, she is passionate about helping organizations and communities improve and mature through customized frameworks based on the Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence and Communities of Excellence Framework. As the President and CCO (Chief Cheerleading Officer!) of Performance Excellence Mentor, she works with leaders to create infrastructure to fundamentally plan and operate with innovative best practices.
MSW Info Session (NEW DATE)
**RESCHEDULED SESSION**
Is the Manager Skills Workshop right for you? Join us for a 30-Minute info session with facilitator Bryan Williams.
Monday, December 2, 2024 | 1:00 PM PST / 4:00 PM EST
Webinar Topics:
The importance of equipping leaders with the tools and skills to be effective (and the dangers of not doing so).
Brief overview of the eight modules. Success stories of those who have attended this workshop in the past.
Q&A
MSW Info Session
Is the Manager Skills Workshop right for you? Join us for a 30-Minute info session with facilitator Bryan Williams.
Monday, December 2, 2024 | 1:00 PM PST / 4:00 PM EST
Webinar Topics:
The importance of equipping leaders with the tools and skills to be effective (and the dangers of not doing so).
Brief overview of the eight modules. Success stories of those who have attended this workshop in the past.
Q&A
Third Thursday Webinar - NOV
TOPIC: Core Competencies to Drive Customer Value and Inspire the Workforce
WHEN: November 21, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. PT /9:00 MT / 10:00 CT / 11:00 ET
In our Baldridge Community, we think of core competencies as our organization’s areas of greatest expertise; …that are central to fulfilling our mission and creating our singular strategic advantage. Discover the four central attributes that every core competency must have to drive customer value and create a dynamic employee experience.
About Daniel B. Edds, MBA | Dan has been a Baldridge examiner and team leader. This experience led him to write the book, Leveraging the Genetics of Leadership, Cracking the Code of Sustainable Team Performance. This is the first book that bridges the gap between systems thinking and organizational leadership. He has recently presented his work on systemic leadership and culture formation in England, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In addition, he is a PhD candidate through the Birmingham Leadership Institute at the University of Birmingham (UK).
Baldrige Fall Conference 2024
The 2024 Baldrige Fall Conference is just around the corner, and it will be the cat's pajamas; featuring two separate conference events and one full day of pre-conference workshops!
🗓️ Date: October 28-30th, 2024
📍 Location: The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida
The Baldrige Fall Conference will bring you the best of what Baldrige conferences have to offer. Enjoy networking opportunities to expand your network, interactive sessions, speakers and workshops, and inspiration to carry you through the year.
Oct 29 | Pre-Conference Workshops
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Facilitator: Jan Jones, founder of Jan Jones Professional Development
In this half-day afternoon session, Jan will guide you through proven strategies to manage emotions effectively, helping you and your team achieve greatness in both work and life.
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Facilitator: Edwin Boon, CEO and Master Black Belt of The Lean Six Sigma Company USA
The popular and highly acclaimed pre-conference workshop is BACK! The LEGO Game returns as one of our best-reviewed workshops.
"...worth the price of the conference alone!"
"I left feeling like I can make immediate changes in my job."
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Facilitator: Michael Garner, President and owner of Momentum.
Michael will guide you through the essentials of the Baldrige framework.
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Facilitator: Michael Garner, President and owner of Momentum
Moving from Interest to Action by implementing quality tools and the Baldrige framework
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Facilitator: Bill Ray Taylor, CEO of LinkedXL
The strategies, mindsets, and processes proven to convert strategy into results, disconnected operations into an aligned enterprise, and a lack of trust in a high-performing, self-sustaining culture of ownership.
Oct 30 | Keynote Speakers
Billy Ray Taylor
Global Keynote Speaker, Author of The Winning Link, Founder & CEO of LinkedXL
How We Win
Defining, Aligning, and Executing Winning Strategies at Every Level of Your Organization | Based on the book, The Winning Link
This highly actionable keynote details "How to Win" featuring the LinkedXL process used by countless organizations to finally start winning. Bily details the strategies, mindsets, and processes proven to convert strategy into results, disconnected operations into an aligned enterprise, and a lack of trust into a high-performing, self-sustaining culture of ownership.
Katharine Bohlmann
Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, Miami Dolphins
Katharine Bohlmann joined the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and has served as the vice president of corporate partnerships since 2022. In this capacity, she oversees corporate partnerships across the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium.
Third Thursday Webinar - OCT
TOPIC: 90-Day Teams to Deploy Action Plans
WHEN: October 17, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. PT /9:00 MT / 10:00 CT / 11:00 ET
In the Baldrige Framework, Category 6 asks how you design, manage, and improve your key services and work processes. 2018 Baldrige recipient Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center (MHHCC) adopted and ‘memorialized’ the 90-day team methodology from Hill Country Memorial Hospital. It is a 10-step methodology, utilizing PDCAE (plan, do, check, act, evaluate) that describes how MHHCC carries out the action plans of their strategic plan and how they design new services. Denise Kaetzel will share how this methodology describes the 90-day team that comes together and uses these defined steps to produce results.
Leading with compassion and respect for all, Denise Kaetzel encourages and expects team members to commit to quality and excellence. She is passionate about personal and professional growth through continuous learning, excellent patient and organizational outcomes, and performance improvement. Denise is committed to the mission, vision, and core values of Memorial Hospital and is grateful to serve in a faith-based organization. Denise has over 34 years of healthcare and nursing experience, the majority of which is in leadership positions. She has led the Quality Department since 2007 and added Organizational Excellence to her scope in April 2019. Denise earned a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership in 2008, and a Masters in Health Administration in 2017 and is certified in Executive Nursing.
Third Thursday Webinar - SEP
TOPIC: Delivering on our Commitment to Community Performance Excellence
WHEN: September 19, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. PT /9:00 MT / 10:00 CT / 11:00 ET
Beginning in October 2016, leaders across the country have joined the Communities of Excellence (COE) National Learning Collaborative with the goal of using the Baldrige-based COE Framework to support their communities in identifying and measuring key initiatives to address community health and wellbeing. Stephanie Norling will give a progress update on these communities and their performance excellence journeys and will describe how these experiences have led to an ambitious new strategy.
Stephanie Norling has been Executive Director of Communities of Excellence 2026 since 2014. She participated in the development of the Communities of Excellence Criteria, adapted from the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, and launched a National Learning Collaborative of communities to support the use of the framework. Stephanie has a BA in Anthropology from Tufts University and an MBA and Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego. Before joining COE, Stephanie worked for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as a Project Coordinator and at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. She is also a National Baldrige Examiner and serves on the Alliance for Performance Excellence board.
Accelerating Improvement Series - Session 3
Join us for an exciting three-part series on accelerating improvement in your organization!
Session 3: Best Practices for Building a Culture for Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Tuesday, September 17 @ 10:00 a.m. PST; 11:00 a.m. MST; noon CST; and 1:00 p.m. EST
A 3-part, free, webinar series on “Accelerating Improvement” hosted by Southwest Alliance for Excellence (SWAE) and presented by Kay Kendall (Baldrige-Coach).
From Compliance to Excellence – Engaging Senior Leaders in the Performance Excellence Journey
This presentation will help leaders understand the value of a Baldrige-based performance excellence journey – above and beyond an award. Participants will walk away with tools to communicate the value of a performance excellence journey.
Major content:
Many organizations look at quality award programs like Baldrige as a method to gain recognition for their work. But it isn’t that easy – organizations recognized at the highest level must demonstrate role model performance. The Baldrige Award is a recognition of the hard work required to become a role model organization.
The webinar will discuss practical methods to engage senior leaders in the move from compliance to performance excellence. It will also provide an example of a leadership system to demonstrate the value of the Baldrige Framework as an integrated management system.
Key points:
The concept of “compliance” versus “excellence”
Why is it important to focus on excellence in addition to compliance?
The concept of the Baldrige-based application as a “management document”
The value of a Baldrige-based performance excellence journey – beyond an award
Paul Grizzell
President · Core Values Partners, Inc.
Paul Grizzell, President of Core Values Partners, Inc., helps organizations focus, align, and accelerate their improvement efforts using the Baldrige Excellence Framework, the China Quality Award, and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).
Paul is a Master Examiner on the Department of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners and an Assessor for the European Quality Award. Paul is the only person to have these two qualifications, demonstrating his commitment to global performance excellence. He is a Judge for several quality award programs including the American Health Care Association. He has trained hundreds of Baldrige and state quality award examiners during 27 years of Baldrige participation. He is a senior member of the American Society for Quality. He is a frequent keynote presenter at performance excellence conferences.
Paul is co-author with Mark Blazey of Insights to Performance Excellence, Using the Baldrige Framework and Other Integrated Management Systems, published by the American Society for Quality.
Third Thursday Webinar - AUG
TOPIC: The Power Within: Harnessing Emotional Intelligence for Personal and Professional Growth
WHEN: August 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. PT /9:00 MT / 10:00 CT / 11:00 ET
Unlock the transformative power of emotional intelligence and discover how it can propel you toward success in both your personal and professional life. In this webinar, Jan will explore the core principles of emotional intelligence, from self-awareness and empathy to social awareness and relationship management. Through practical strategies, you'll learn how to harness these skills to overcome challenges, enhance your leadership abilities, and foster meaningful connections. Join us to uncover the power within and take the first step towards a more fulfilling and impactful journey.
Jan Jones is a professional speaker, consultant, and international podcast host (“The Good Good Life”) with a passion for developing and motivating others. She collaborates with organizations nationwide to enhance leadership and equip employees with tools for success. Her ability to connect with audiences results in an inspired team ready to achieve greatness within their organizations. Jan’s energy and expertise stem from her zest for life and the relationships that play a pivotal role in her personal development. She knows that relationships drive culture, which drives results. Jan believes that anyone can inspire change, and this is a driver for her determination to set people up for success. Jan is a graduate of the University of Alabama and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. She holds certifications in “Crucial Conversations” (Crucial Learning), as well as multiple certifications with Franklin Covey. Jan is certified in “Emotional Intelligence” (TalentSmart) and Extended DISC. In addition, Jan is a Certified DDI (Development Dimensions International, Inc.) Facilitator, and Birkman Certified Consultant.
Accelerating Improvement Series - Session 2
Join us for an exciting three-part series on accelerating improvement in your organization!
Session 2: Translating Voice of the Customer (VOC) in Product and Process Requirements
Tuesday, August 13 @ 10:00 a.m. PST; 11:00 a.m. MST; noon CST; and 1:00 p.m. EST
A 3-part, free, webinar series on “Accelerating Improvement” hosted by Southwest Alliance for Excellence (SWAE) and presented by Kay Kendall (Baldrige-Coach).
Introduction to Lean Six Sigma
Join us for an exclusive FREE webinar designed to introduce you to the world of Lean Six Sigma!
In just one hour, you'll explore the fundamental principles of Lean Six Sigma and discover how it can boost your career forward while significantly enhancing your organization's performance. Led by industry expert Edwin Boon, GE certified Master Black Belt and CEO of The Lean Six Sigma Company USA, this webinar promises to be both enlightening and empowering.
What you will learn:
Understanding Lean Six Sigma: Understand the core concepts and principles that drive Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
Essential Techniques: Learn key Lean Six Sigma techniques to optimize business processes, reduce costs, and elevate the quality of your work environment.
Creating Value: Explore how Lean Six Sigma enables companies to deliver more value to customers and stakeholders.
The Value of Certification: Discover the significance of earning a Lean Six Sigma certificate and how it positions you as a valuable asset within your organization.
Tailored Training Options: Explore the various trainings and find the perfect fit for your professional development.
Whether you're in manufacturing, healthcare, government, financial services, or any other sector, Lean Six Sigma offers valuable insights and strategies to drive continuous improvement and performance.
Do you aspire to enhance your problem-solving skills and become a catalyst for positive change within your organization? Are you curious about how Lean Six Sigma can unlock new possibilities for growth and success?
Don't miss this opportunity to get an introduction to Lean Six Sigma and how it can help you and your organization. Secure your spot today by registering here!
Date: Friday, July 26
Time: 9:30 am PST / 11:30 am CST
Duration: 1 Hour
Third Thursday Webinar - July
TOPIC: Kimray's Roadmap to Excellence: Crafting a Strategic Journey with the Baldrige Framework
WHEN: July 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. ET / 10:00 CT / 9:00 MT / 8:00 PT
Join us for an enlightening webinar on how Kimray is meticulously crafting its roadmap to excellence using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) framework. This session will delve into the practical steps and strategies that Kimray, a leading manufacturer of valves and control equipment for the oil and gas industry, is implementing to transform its organizational performance and culture. Jonathan Bodine will guide you through key tactical elements of their journey, including their timelines, incremental goals, engaging their staff, and utilizing milestones. Discover how the Baldrige Excellence Framework® is helping Kimray not only achieve its mission but also significantly improve its processes and outcomes.
Jonathan Bodine serves in the role of Six Sigma Black Belt at Kimray where he leads process improvement projects, coaches Green Belts, develops best practices around metrics and project prioritization, and drives organizational performance excellence initiatives. He also serves as one of the core team members leading Kimray on its Baldrige journey. Jonathan has been with Kimray since February 2023. Prior to Kimray, he worked as a Project Engineer at Nomac Drilling, a Continuous Improvement Engineer at Devon Energy, and a Systems Engineering Team Lead at Boeing. He earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma Christian University and a Master's of Business Administration at the University of Central Oklahoma. He holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Oklahoma. Jonathan and his wife Amanda have been married 14 years and have 3 children.
Accelerating Improvement Series - Session 1
Join us for an exciting three-part series on accelerating improvement in your organization!
Session 1: Data Visualization to Engage Employees in Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Tuesday, July 9 @ 10:00 a.m. PST; 11:00 a.m. MST; noon CST; and 1:00 p.m. EST
A 3-part, free, webinar series on “Accelerating Improvement” hosted by Southwest Alliance for Excellence (SWAE) and presented by Kay Kendall (Baldrige-Coach).
Third Thursday Webinar - June 2024
Topic: Leveraging Culture: A Systemic Approach to Quality
Recognizing the pivotal role of organizational culture in fostering employee engagement is crucial for sustaining quality initiatives. Culture not only reflects the current state but also predicts future engagement levels, requiring nuanced approaches to its measurement and development. In this targeted webinar, we will introduce a specialized framework for assessing and enhancing your organization’s culture, directly linking it to improved organizational outcomes. Discover how effective leadership molds culture and delve into real-world case studies demonstrating the transformative impact of strategic cultural management. This work supports the many aspects of culture in the Baldrige Framework.
Participants will have the exclusive opportunity to access a complimentary cultural assessment tool, empowering them to advance their organization’s commitment to quality and excellence.
Michael J. O’Brien brings over 40 years of expertise as a consultant and executive coach, specializing in unraveling the complexities of organizational relationships. His extensive background in finance, economics, and human behavior equips him to transform the abstract elements of corporate culture into actionable insights. Michael’s strategic approach has propelled numerous world-leading companies towards a deeper understanding of their operational dynamics, enhancing their quality programs. He has also personally coached over 4,000 senior executives, guiding them through the intricacies of cultural alignment and its critical role in achieving excellence.
On the Path to Excellence
On the Path to Excellence: Insights from Greater Fremont, Ohio's Remarkable Communities of Excellence Journey
Join us for this free webinar featuring insights from Greater Fremont, Ohio's remarkable Communities of Excellence Journey.
Date: Thursday, June 13th, 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Pacific Time/1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern Time
Hosted by Chari Mullen, you'll learn how Greater Fremont has brought organizations across the community together to collaborate on shared priorities that no one organization or sector can tackle alone. You'll gain practical insights and tips to kickstart your own community's Communities of Excellence journey through our National Learning Collaborative. Join us and communities nationwide to learn and embark on your own path to excellence.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect with like-minded individuals across the nation. Join us and communities nationwide as we pave the way toward a brighter future together.
Why Attend:
• Learn from real-world examples of community success
• Gain practical insights to implement in your own community
• Network with peers and experts in the field
• Kickstart your journey towards excellence through our National Learning Collaborative
Register now to secure your spot and take the first step towards unlocking your community's full potential!
CAPE Examiner Training - 100% VIRTUAL
California Awards for Performance Excellence (CAPE) is holding its annual training to prepare Examiners to evaluate award applications through the lens of the Baldrige Framework. Examiners are volunteers and represent a diverse background of industry and professional experience. Attendees will learn how to apply the Framework to an organization, evaluate an application, and develop comment-writing skills.
CAPE is proud to offer a choice of hybrid or 100% virtual Examiner Training. The 100% virtual option is entirely online, consisting of independent study and instruction via ZOOM.
Date: June 10-13 at 1:00-3:30 pm PDT
Location: Zoom
Third Thursday Webinar - May 2024
Topic: Using Leading Indicators to Accelerate Improvement
Many organizations use scorecards to monitor progress, but they are typically populated with outcome – or lagging – indicators. In this session, Kay Kendall will describe leading indicators, share tips on how to proactively identify them, and demonstrate how they lead to greater and faster improvement for key outcomes.
Kay Kendall has more than 20 years as a quality executive leading large-scale change initiatives across diverse industries. As CEO of BaldrigeCoach, she currently works with organizations on their journey toward Performance Excellence. Kay served on the Panel of Judges for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program for 3 years. She continues as a Master Examiner. She was a Master Examiner and team leader for the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program. She was also a Judge for the VA’s Carey Award and a Judge for PiPEx, the Baldrige-based program serving Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence
Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence is a milestone anniversary event that brings award recipients and leading organizations together as a Baldrige-based community to honor excellence and share pearls of wisdom for learning and continuous improvement purposes. The event showcases the impact Baldrige has on creating strong communities in California and the nation.
Location: Hyatt Regency Long Beach (200 South Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802)
Tuesday, April 30
Pre-Conference Workshop: Leading a 5-Star Team facilitated by Dr. Bryan K. Williams
Seating is limited for the workshop. Register early to reserve your seat!
This session will review the leadership skills and competencies needed to lead a 5-star caliber team. Special emphasis will be placed on proven techniques and processes used by highly effective leaders worldwide.
Learning Topics:
How to build a team of highly engaged employees
Power of Expectations
Becoming a leader that others want to follow
Customizing motivation & recognition to ensure maximum impact
Reception and Dinner with the CCE Board of Directors
Meet the organizational leaders of performance excellence. The evening will feature special guest speaker Bob Fangmeyer, Director of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program at NIST.
Wednesday, May 1
Best Practices Conference & Awards Ceremony
Enjoy a full day engaging with state and national Baldrige award recipients. Participate in best practice breakout sessions, 2023-2024 CCE Fellows capstone presentations, and celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023 California Awards for Performance Excellence (CAPE) Award and Recognition recipients.
Third Thursday Webinar - Apr 2024
Topic: Improving Performance with Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In this webinar, John Choate will share how Gen AI can help your organization improve performance. Gen AI can help organizations track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) across various categories, such as customer satisfaction, financial performance, and market share, providing actionable insights for continuous improvement. Additionally, by leveraging Gen AI to enhance agility and resilience, organizations can better anticipate, prepare for, and respond to change and uncertainty. AI can provide the insights, tools, and capabilities needed to make faster, more informed decisions, optimize resources, and maintain continuity in the face of disruptions.
John Choate is a US Air Force combat services veteran with 10 years of experience in ICBMs 1&3, global nuclear logistics-transportation, and global Logistics Technology/data systems. He was the first in USAF history certified as a Logistics-Transportation Computer expert. In the commercial space, he drives top customer results by leveraging Technology Innovation to transform business and functional operations. As a “trusted advisor”, he incorporates data-driven visibility, risk assessment, and machine/generative AI into business planning and tactical cross-functional team execution. As a collaborative innovator, he utilizes the latest tools and technologies to drive performance improvements that directly benefit his customers through increased revenue/profit, lower costs, and enhanced team productivity. John has an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University, an MS from Troy State University, and a BS from Washington State University. He enjoys sharing insights as a subject matter expert (SME) speaker and author.
Quest for Excellence
Register Today for the 35th Quest for Excellence Conference
Sunday, April 7–Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Join us for the 35th Quest for Excellence® Conference, Sunday, April 7 - Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center, just outside of Washington, D.C.!
The conference will feature new and exciting opportunities to learn role model best practices from nationally recognized thought leaders, Baldrige Award recipients, and representatives from other high-performing organizations.
You can register and book your hotel room today through Showcare, the official conference registrar and housing bureau. So, don’t delay in reserving your seat.
Enjoy sessions focusing on organizational resilience and future emerging challenges, take home solutions to help your organization achieve breakthrough performance and results in areas such as leadership; strategy; customers; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; workforce; and operations.
Conference Highlights
Take advantage of conference sessions and activities including:
A welcome reception on Sunday, April 7 will give attendees the opportunity to network with members of the Baldrige community, including Award recipients, Examiners, Judges, Overseers, Fellows, Foundation members, and Alliance program representatives.
An opening keynote presentation by Shola Richards, Founder & CEO, Go Together Global and Best-Selling Author.
Monday and Wednesday morning plenary sessions featuring thought leaders on organizational resilience and future emerging challenges.
Concurrent sessions on Monday and Tuesday featuring former Award recipients and other high-performing organizations speaking on relevant topics of interest, such as leadership and social responsibility, workforce issues, and customers and strategy.
Baldrige Criteria Pre-Conference Workshops on the afternoon of April 7 for beginner and intermediate users of the Baldrige Criteria.
Opportunities to network with and learn from Baldrige recipients, applicants, examiners, Alliance for Performance Excellence program representatives, Communities of Excellence participants, and Baldrige experts and users in all sectors.
Opportunities to meet the Quest sponsors.
Third Thursday Webinar - Mar 2024
The Power of Storytelling will be presented by two distinguished participants from New Mexico. These two gentlemen come from very different backgrounds, yet share equal respect for the power of storytelling, particularly when it comes to embedding Culture. And, as we all know, culture, is a key driver of performance excellence.
Why storytelling works. From native lands to the national laboratories, we are honored to present:
Henry Silentman serves on Quality New Mexico Board of Directors and the Baldrige Alliance Board of Directors. Henry also serves on the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Board of Directors and the Arizona District Export Council, a US Commerce Secretary-appointed position. Henry is an experienced State and National Baldrige Examiner, recently participating in the 2024 Baldrige reimagined national Examiner training. As a native New Mexican, he knows firsthand the power of Storytelling, learning the Navajo language, culture and traditions from his elders, without a written language. His extensive experience of oral traditions combined with his Baldrige knowledge makes Henry uniquely qualified to share insight into the power of storytelling.
Bill Wadt currently serves on the board of Quality New Mexico and chairs the board of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation. He retired after 34 at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 1984, Bill was named by Science Digest as one of the 100 brightest scientists in the US under 40. Bill has been active with Quality New Mexico throughout his career and most recently, was instrumental in opening the door for Northern NM three counties, Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, and Santa Fe, to join Communities of Excellence as one group, in the 2023 Cohort. Bill will share how a top LANL executive leader used storytelling to help staff understand the direction the national laboratory was taking using a story written by Dr. Seuss. Bill will also share with us a story about apricot tarts.