Jean
Cunningham
Ms. Cunningham is a management consultant with over
16 years of experience applying lean concepts to a
variety of organizations. Co-author of
two books, Real Numbers: Management Accounting
in a Lean Organization, and Simpler, Faster:
Systems Strategy for Lean IT, she received the
Shingo Prize for Research in 2004. Her
areas of expertise include business strategy development,
process improvement, and growth and acquisition planning.
As owner and principal of Jean Cunningham Consulting
in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Ms. Cunningham assists
clients in developing strategic solutions, streamlining
processes, and planning for growth.
Previously, as chief financial officer and vice president
of Company Services at Lantech LLC, a Louisville,
Kentucky manufacturer of packaging equipment, Ms.
Cunningham was responsible for accounting, human resources,
information systems, and telecommunications. From
1991 through 2004, she was a leader in Lantech’s evolution
of a small, family-owned business to a lean industry
leader. Lantech’s lean journey was chronicled
in the bestseller, Lean Thinking. Ms.
Cunningham joined the continuous improvement effort
at Lantech from their first kaizen, and took the revolution
of lean from the manufacturing floor to the business
office. She was actively involved with
Lantech's product expansion efforts through acquisition
and product development.
Prior to joining Lantech, Ms. Cunningham was a finance
professional with Digital Equipment Corporation and
Westinghouse Electric. Her business experience
and training began early in life, when she assisted
in her mother’s business from age 12. Later
she taught school and managed a restaurant, which
provided a base of practical experience.
In addition to co-authoring two books, Ms. Cunningham
has contributed to several publications related to
lean accounting and lean operations. She
has extensive experience lecturing on lean accounting
and business processes.
Education
MBA, Northeastern University, College of Business
Administration
BS in Accounting, Indiana University, Bloomington,
IN
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