“Our hope is that participants will not only benefit from the conference itself, but also see the kind of work happening here,” Zevenbergen says. “Dordt is a place where faculty and students are actively engaged in industry initiatives, and where learning is deeply connected to practice.”
Dordt University will host the Siouxland Lean Consortium’s annual conference on April 7, welcoming business leaders and industry professionals from across the tri-state region for a day of collaboration, learning, and shared innovation.
The conference, which will take place in the Overlook on Dordt’s campus, marks the return of the Siouxland Lean Consortium after several years of inactivity. Dordt previously hosted the event in 2018 and 2019, and the consortium’s revival reflects renewed momentum among organizations committed to Lean principles and process improvement.
For Dordt, hosting the conference is a natural extension of its commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world practice.
“This is a great opportunity for area business leaders who are leading Lean and process improvement efforts in their organizations to convene for a time of learning and networking,” says Dale Zevenbergen, director of the Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Dordt. “Our students are learning about Lean across multiple programs, and many of our graduates go on to work in organizations where these principles are central.”
Those organizations include regional and national leaders such as Pella Corporation, Vermeer Corporation, Link Manufacturing, Dur-A-Lift, and Interstates—all of which emphasize efficiency, continuous improvement, and strong organizational culture.
The Siouxland Lean Consortium is known not only for its focus on operational excellence, but also for the collaborative mindset of its members.
“The leaders involved in the consortium have what I’d call an ‘abundance mentality,’” says Zevenbergen. “They’re willing to share ideas, tools, and experiences with one another. Even in areas where there could be competition—like hiring—they choose collaboration over a zero-sum mindset.”
That spirit is reminiscent of Dordt’s own approach to education and industry engagement. Students in business, engineering, and nursing programs are introduced to Lean concepts and often have opportunities to interact with professionals who are actively implementing them.
Organizers hope attendees will experience firsthand the university’s hands-on, relationship-driven approach to learning.
“Our hope is that participants will not only benefit from the conference itself, but also see the kind of work happening here,” Zevenbergen says. “Dordt is a place where faculty and students are actively engaged in industry initiatives, and where learning is deeply connected to practice.”
The conference will also feature keynote sessions, including a presentation on the intersection of Lean practices and servant leadership—an area that reflects shared values between many participating organizations and Dordt’s mission.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
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