Joann Michalik wraps up career focused on transforming business performance

December 05, 20192 minute read

Joann Michalik, one of the first members of AWESOME’s Advisory Board, recently retired as Managing Director of Deloitte Consulting LLP and Practice Leader. She will continue as an AWESOME Advisor.

Over the last 40 years, Joann has helped global manufacturers deploy innovative and process improvement solutions to transform business performance. Highlights include the creation of Lean Six Sigma programs for Allied Signal and GE, serving as Global Leader of Process Improvement for PwC, being invited to and attending the White House Maker Movement conference, and surveying leading CTO’s and DOE National Lab Directors to determine, “How can the US be competitive with advanced technologies,” which resulted in a report delivered to the U.S. Congress. Joann has been a frequent speaker on Smart Building/ Power, and multiple clients have been recognized as the Best Factory in America and received Deming and Shingo Awards.

When asked to share her favorite memories, Joann highlighted working with great teams to advance the profession and individuals. “I am proud of my contribution to advancing the profession and love seeing staff grow. When I started my career with GE, I led one of the first JIT implementations in the US. With Coopers & Lybrand/PwC, I led the development of Reengineering and Lean Six Sigma (1st in US), and with Deloitte I pushed forward Maker Movement and Smart solutions. These innovations created new channels for the profession to move forward push the profession forward and provided opportunities for lifetime friendships.

In describing her next adventure, Joann said “I am taking time to plan my next move, my next ‘career.’ Life is for learning and I am plotting my next learning experience.”

About the “Maker Movement”: a cultural phenomenon that celebrates shared experimentation, iterative learning, and discovery through connected communities that build together, while always emphasizing creativity over criticism. Learn more