AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation
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The heart of high performance: Building a culture of respect, collaboration and connection
Putting people at the center of improvement and innovation
OVERVIEW
In today’s fast-moving workplace, tools and technology are evolving faster than ever-but lasting success still begins and ends with people. This session explores how respect and collaboration fuel engagement, creativity and performance across all levels of an organization, from front-line staff to senior leadership. Drawing from real-world transformations and continuous improvement journeys, Katie Chase will share practical strategies for building trust, empowering teams and creating environments where every voice matters, and where that people-first culture drives measurable results. She will walk through examples of:
· Respect in the moment: Learn how recognizing and responding to micro-moments can shape culture in real time
· Building a collaboration contract: Close the gap between intention and reality by defining clear behaviors that foster true collaboration
· From process to people: Shift your lens from a process-driven to people-centered with simple, practical tools
Attendees will learn concrete practices to empower teams, break down functional silos and make respect for people part of the culture, not just a slogan. Participants will leave with:
· A practical playbook for respectful leadership: Use simple, repeatable behaviors to build trust, inclusion and stronger team dynamics.
· A people-centered lens for improvement: Evaluate processes through the experience of the people doing the work and the customers they serve.
· Actionable tools to elevate collaboration: Set clear team norms and use practical techniques to turn collaboration into a consistent, high-impact practice.
· Respect in the moment: Learn how recognizing and responding to micro-moments can shape culture in real time
· Building a collaboration contract: Close the gap between intention and reality by defining clear behaviors that foster true collaboration
· From process to people: Shift your lens from a process-driven to people-centered with simple, practical tools
Attendees will learn concrete practices to empower teams, break down functional silos and make respect for people part of the culture, not just a slogan. Participants will leave with:
· A practical playbook for respectful leadership: Use simple, repeatable behaviors to build trust, inclusion and stronger team dynamics.
· A people-centered lens for improvement: Evaluate processes through the experience of the people doing the work and the customers they serve.
· Actionable tools to elevate collaboration: Set clear team norms and use practical techniques to turn collaboration into a consistent, high-impact practice.
Key Learning Objectives
1. Reframe respect as a performance driver: Learn how respect isn’t just a value, it’s the foundation for stronger collaboration, innovation and accountability.
2. Lead through connection: Explore practical techniques to build psychological safety, active listening and shared ownership across teams.
3. Turn collaboration into culture: Leave with actionable tools to transform respect and teamwork from good intentions into daily behaviors that drive results.
2. Lead through connection: Explore practical techniques to build psychological safety, active listening and shared ownership across teams.
3. Turn collaboration into culture: Leave with actionable tools to transform respect and teamwork from good intentions into daily behaviors that drive results.
Presenter
Katie Chase
Continuous Improvement Program Manager
Thrivent
Katie Chase believes that meaningful change doesn’t start with a new system or a better process – it starts with people. As a Continuous Improvement Program manager at Thrivent, Chase leads enterprise initiatives that reimagine how work gets done, modernizing client data, simplifying operations and creating better experiences for both employees and customers.
Continuous Improvement Program Manager
Thrivent
Katie Chase believes that meaningful change doesn’t start with a new system or a better process – it starts with people. As a Continuous Improvement Program manager at Thrivent, Chase leads enterprise initiatives that reimagine how work gets done, modernizing client data, simplifying operations and creating better experiences for both employees and customers.
Under her leadership, the Continuous Improvement Program has evolved into a powerful grassroots movement: over 40 new grassroot programs launched, nearly 100 improvements implemented, over $1 million in savings delivered, and hundreds of employees newly equipped with the tools and mindset to make things better every day.
But Chase's story isn’t about metrics – it’s about momentum. She knows that when people feel empowered to improve the work they do, performance follows. Her passion lies in helping others see continuous improvement not as a project or methodology, but as a culture — one that thrives on curiosity, collaboration and courage to challenge “the way we’ve always done it.”
View on LinkedIn
But Chase's story isn’t about metrics – it’s about momentum. She knows that when people feel empowered to improve the work they do, performance follows. Her passion lies in helping others see continuous improvement not as a project or methodology, but as a culture — one that thrives on curiosity, collaboration and courage to challenge “the way we’ve always done it.”
View on LinkedIn
TAGS
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People-centric leadership
Level: Beginner
