Registrations are now open for the Lean Enterprise Australia Summit 2026, and we are pleased to release the preliminary program for this year’s event.
Join us on Thursday 23 July for the main Summit, followed by optional half-day site visits on Friday 24 July, for two days of learning, connection and practical insight.
This year’s program will focus on lean leadership in uncertain times; how leaders create the conditions for alignment, continuous improvement and learning in a fast-changing world. The Summit will also return to the important intersection between AI and improvement, including the opportunities and risks new technologies create for improvement practice.
Preliminary Program Released
Summit topics will come to life through engaging and interactive sessions led by a diverse group of invited speakers. Drawing on experience from manufacturing, service, and healthcare, they will share practical insights, real-world stories, and f
resh perspectives that highlight the shared principles and impact of lean leadership across different sectors.
Manufacturing, service and healthcare sectors are well represented in our main sessions where the commonalities in the application of lean thinking and practice will be highlighted.
Invited Speakers
Our invited speakers include:
- Matt Savas, Founder, Kaizumi
- Doug Rickarby, Managing Director, Gemba Guide
- Jackie McLeod, Chief Operating Officer, Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Sarah Aranha, Director Access & Patient Flow, Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Danny Elassaad, Managing Director, CW Products
- Nigel Dalton, Social Scientist, Thoughtworks & Chairman Lean Enterprise Australia
- David Plunkett, Adjunct Professor, Deakin University
The experienced coaches from Lean Enterprise Australia will also contribute to the program to provide facilitation and support. Nicole Amsing, Denise Bennett, Tony McNaughton, Robert Bruce and Seamus Power bring many years of applied learning and are committed to creating an environment where interaction and networking is maximised across the day.
Optional Half Day Site Visits
On the second day of the Summit, participants can join a half-day site visit at one of two South Australian manufacturing organisations, each offering the opportunity to see lean thinking and practice in action.
The site visits are designed to extend learning through observation, reflection and shared discussion, while creating more space for collaboration with others across the lean community. An experienced lean coach will facilitate each visit, helping participants think through what they are seeing and how the lessons may be applied in practice in their own organisations.
For further information refer to our Events page – Australian Lean Summit 2026 – Lean Enterprise Australia
