Insights from igniteEX: A Prequel

In many ways, what’s required for organizational excellence these days has shifted: there are new work environments (such as hybrid), emerging technologies (including AI).  But in other ways, nothing has changed: we still need to satisfy our customers; we still need to engage our teams; and we still need to improve & innovate our processes, operations, and products/services.  It’s a little of “the more things change, the more they stay the same” meets “same as it ever was.” 

The Performance Excellence Network — in partnership with the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence and the Iowa Quality Center and in collaboration with the Greater Rochester Quality Council — is pleased to host an online webinar discussion on Thursday, April 2: “Insights from igniteEX: A Prequel.”  The discussion will feature several “mini-sessions” from our upcoming igniteEX 2026 Conference, each offering one or two ways to immediately improve your organization’ (or team’s) performance. 

Each speaker will have 10 minutes – like a “TEDtalk” – to share a method, tool, or best practice that has helped their organization navigate challenging times and still improve performance.  We’ll hear from four organizations, each previewing something they will share in greater detail at the conference:

• Michelle Nelson and Juli Lattner of St. Louis County on what “scaffolding” is required for any team to get started and/or continue to develop team culture 

• Charles Liedtke of Strategic Improvement Systems on deploying artificial intelligence 

• Dave Paulson of Dakota County on developing meaningful performance measures 

• Lisa Tabor of CultureBrokers on navigating DEIA in today’s political environment 

You will leave with at least four actionable insights that you can begin to use immediately to improve performance during these ever-changing times.  And you’ll also get a sneak preview of four (of the 20+) case studies featured at igniteEX 2026 (May 7th & 8th). Early bird ends March 31 –  more information here. 

About the speakers

Michelle Nelson is an Organizational Development Specialist with St. Louis County, bringing more than 25 years of experience helping public‑sector teams build strong culture through practical systems, training, and continuous improvement.

Juli Lattner is a Senior Human Resources Advisor at St. Louis County, where she leads workforce development and learning initiatives that support trust, engagement, and sustainable team culture.

Charles Liedtke is the founder of Strategic Improvement Systems and a nationally recognized expert in strategic improvement, analytics, and performance excellence, with a current focus on deploying artificial intelligence responsibly to support better decision‑making.

Dave Paulson manages the Office of Performance and Analysis at Dakota County, where he leads performance measurement and evaluation efforts that help organizations develop meaningful, actionable measures that drive improvement.

Lisa Tabor is the founder and president of CultureBrokers, a results‑focused DEIA consulting firm that helps organizations align culture, systems, and accountability to navigate today’s complex social and political environment.

JOIN US FOR THIS FREE PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE NETWORK (PEN) WEBINAR

Date: Thursday, April 2

Time:  9:00 - 10:00 am (ET)

Location:  On-line, via Zoom

Cost:  Free to GRQC members and non-members

Registration:  Click below to register.  Note:  Registration may not work with Internet Explorer; please use a currently supported browser.

Can’t make it live but interested in the content?  Register anyway: all registered attendees get a link to the recording after the session!

Please direct any questions to events@grqc.org.