FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2025
AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC), a program of the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State University, is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Betz as director, effective April 7, 2025.
Emily has been a valued member of the ILC and CIRAS teams and most recently served as the ILC Assistant Director since September 2024. In that role, she has played a key part in shaping programming, strengthening member engagement, and supporting the ILC mission of advancing continuous improvement across Iowa industry. “Emily has consistently demonstrated leadership, creativity, and a deep commitment to helping organizations thrive through Lean principles,” said Tracy Schuster, outgoing director of the Iowa Lean Consortium.“We’re excited for the vision and energy she brings.”
Known not only for her expertise in Lean methodologies and tools, and helping organizations take steps to understand and implement Lean at all levels, Emily’s ability to blend professionalism with personality makes her a dynamic and relatable leader within the Lean community.
“I’m honored to step into the role of director and continue supporting our members on their continuous improvement journeys,” said Betz. “The ILC is a special community, and I look forward to building on our momentum while exploring new ways to provide value.” The ILC will continue to offer high-impact programming, peer learning opportunities, and hands-on resources to help Iowa organizations implement and sustain Lean practices. Under Emily’s leadership, the ILC is positioned for a strong and engaging future.
For more information about the Iowa Lean Consortium, visit iowalean.org.
Media Contact:
Gayle Mastbergen
Marketing Manager, CIRAS
gmallen@iastate.edu