Name: Episode 15: Lean Transformation in Detroit by There's a Better Way
Duration: 22 min 1 s
Description: Bethany Melitz grew up with lean and now serves as the Director of Lean (Continuous Improvement) for the City of Detroit. She sat down with Aravind to share the various initiatives happening in Detroit and how they are getting the community involved with the city's comeback. Bethany and her "lean team" are making a big impact from everything to road conditions to job placement.

How does a government shutdown affect the operations at the John Glenn International airport? What about an approaching snow storm? This episode, we'll sit down with Charles Goodwin, director of airport operations at Columbus Regional Airport Authority and MBOE class of 2012, who will discuss how lean thinking and standard work allow for smooth operations even during a time of uncertainty.

Episode 1: Lean Thinking at the Columbus Regional Airport Authority

With tax season upon us, this week we sit down with Dr. Brian Mittendorf, chair for the department of accounting and managerial sciences at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. During our conversation, Dr. Mittendorf will explore the options of gift giving, for companies and individuals, and the differences between cash and non-cash gifts.

Episode 2: The Better Way to Gift Giving

Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Steffanie Wilk, will join us this week to talk about diversity and inclusion in organizations, and how the lack of diversity may affect your operations.

This story covers activity that took place before June 27, 2025, when Ohio Senate Bill 1 took effect. Fisher College of Business has discontinued diversity, equity and inclusion activities in compliance with the law.

Episode 3: Diversity and Inclusion

To celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, Aravind sat down with Dr. Susan Moffatt-Bruce, executive director of University Hospital and professor of surgery. Dr. Moffatt-Bruce shares her journey from clinician to senior-level administrator, and her advice to others who are looking to grow as an individual and as a leader.

This story covers activity that took place before June 27, 2025, when Ohio Senate Bill 1 took effect. Fisher College of Business has discontinued diversity, equity and inclusion activities in compliance with the law.

Episode 4: Women in Leadership

Bethany Melitz grew up with lean and now serves as the Director of Lean (Continuous Improvement) for the City of Detroit. She sat down with Aravind to share the various initiatives happening in Detroit and how they are getting the community involved with the city's comeback. Bethany and her "lean team" are making a big impact from everything to road conditions to job placement.

Episode 15: Lean Transformation in Detroit

Free shipping, one-hour delivery, and pick-up in store, are all phrases consumers are seeing more and more. The field of logistics is changing and providing greater access for consumers, and a larger consumer network for companies. Dr. Terry Esper, associate professor of logistics at The Ohio State University, sat down with Aravind to discuss the recent changes to the field and how it's affecting the way we go about our every day lives.

Episode 22: Access for All through the Power of Logistics

This week, Aravind sits down with Michael Doss, former Ohio State and NFL football player, and recent MBOE graduate. Doss discusses his journey through sports, family, and education and places an emphasis on the importance of not only pressing on towards personal goals, but pushing others to pursue theirs as well.

Episode 27: Lessons from the Football Field

There's a Better Way is a podcast series focused on exploring how business principles can provide solutions in your personal and professional life. Each episode, Dr. Aravind Chandrasekaran, professor and associate dean, will sit down with a prominent expert or faculty leader to discuss problems we all face in our world today. This program is brought to you by The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business.

Episode 15: Lean Transformation in Detroit

There's a Better Way

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