Panel: Employee Engagement as a Continuous Improvement System
Employee engagement is not built through slogans, surveys, or occasional recognition; it is created when people have a meaningful role in improving the work they do every day. This panel will explore how Lean practitioners and leaders can create the conditions for employees to identify problems, test ideas, contribute knowledge, and see that their input leads to real change. Panelists will discuss practical approaches for strengthening psychological safety, building problem-solving capability, responding visibly to employee ideas, and connecting improvement work to a safer, more effective, and more fulfilling workplace. Attendees will leave with ideas for making continuous improvement something employees participate in because they are invited, equipped, and trusted to make the organization better.
Featured panelists:
Glenn Bostock
Founder and CEO
SnapCab
Glenn Bostock grew up with difficulties in school. Itmade him realize he wanted to be a part of a community that fosters caring,which is an environment where anyone can thrive. When he saw that his dreamcareer in custom cabinetry wasn’t enough to support his family, he shifted tomanufacturing. Soon after, he developed a love of building community.
After 40 years in business, working with the biggest names in the elevatorworld and lean manufacturing, Bostock wants to share his unique framework forcompany culture. Forbes Books published his book on the subject in June 2026.
Keeley Hurley
Chief of Staff
Applied Energetics
Keeley Hurley is a results-driven chief of staff withover two decades of people-centered leadership experience in the laserindustry, spanning engineering project management, product management,consulting, quality and continuous improvement.
She is known for driving alignment, execution andoperational excellence across complex organizations. Keeley is also the authorof "Faceplant: Free Yourself from Failure’s Funk," a practical guideto overcoming setbacks and turning failure into forward momentum.
Jason Neal
Senior Transformation Leader
GE Aerospace
Jason Neal works as the operations leader for ahigh-volume manufacturing corporation. Having worked for several Fortune 500companies, he has extensive experience working with conflict resolution andbuilding self-directed work teams by applying servant leadership principles.
He recently published the leadership book "AccidentallyAligned - How Leaders Create Value in Chaos." He holds a mechanicalengineering degree from Miami University, as well as an MBA from IndianaWesleyan University.
Rob Ulrich
Senior Training and Engagement Manager
Gibson Inc.
Rob Ulrich is a dynamic training and engagementleader with a rich and unconventional career path. From managing a rock bandand running a successful event business in Nashville to leading organizationalperformance initiatives, Ulrich brings a uniquely creative and people-centeredapproach to workplace transformation.
Currently serving as senior training and engagement managerfor U.S. Operations at Gibson, a company celebrated for its iconic legacy inguitar craftsmanship, Ulrich leverages over eight years of corporate trainingexperience. His previous roles include positions at Lowe’s and AdvanceFinancial, where he drove learner engagement, leadership development andoperational excellence. Ulrich's diverse background makes him a powerfulpartner to the business, bridging strategy with execution in fast-paced, high-impactenvironments.He recently published the leadership book "AccidentallyAligned - How Leaders Create Value in Chaos." He holds a mechanicalengineering degree from Miami University, as well as an MBA from IndianaWesleyan University.
Anne Frewin is a speaker, coach, facilitator, and Chief Engagement Architect at Employee Centric Leadership, LLC. With more than 15 years implementing lean principles, Frewin has trained nearly 500 leaders at global organizations like IDEXX, Abbott, and ADM, as well as healthcare organizations across the Northeast – seeing firsthand how leadership behaviors shape the environment, for better or worse. Frewintranslates that conviction into practice through her proprietary LEAD Mindset Model: Lead with courage, embody trust, anchor with clarity, and drive improvement, giving leaders a clear path from intention to action. She holds dual master’s degrees in healthcare administration and organizational leadership.
