
4601 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22203
©2021 Lean Construction Institute. All Rights Reserved. · Threshold Technologies, Inc.
In coordination with the LCI board of directors, our team is actively engaged in the organization’s mission to transform the design and construction industry by establishing a common vocabulary, exploring fundamental conceptual foundations through basic research, enhancing educational offerings, and exploring basic practices for Lean construction through Communities of Practice.
Executive Director
“I really enjoy the people we work with and serve across the industry, and appreciate LCIs mission to make the construction industry more efficient and add value for owners.”
As LCI’s Executive Director, Dan Heinemeier is responsible to the Board of Directors for LCI’s programmatic, budgetary and organizational success. He brings to the organization over 30 years of experience in association management. He has served the technology, government contracting and construction industries in programming and senior management roles, including President, COO and Executive Director positions.
Dan received his B.S. from Georgetown University. He also holds Certified Association Executive (CAE) credentials from the American Society of Association Executives.
Director, Program Development
“I thoroughly enjoy the people we work with and assisting organizations in their Lean journey.”
As Director of Program Development, Joan Piccariello serves as the staff lead for LCI’s annual Congress and marketing programs, in addition to supporting LCI’s key education development efforts. She brings to LCI more than 20 years of senior experience in all aspects of association management, marketing and forecasting, having served the technology, federal contracting and construction industries in programming and management roles. She maintains an excellent track record of building and leading multi-faceted and high performing teams in collaborative environments to produce consensus results.
Joan received her B.A. from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the Project Management Institute and holds a Project Management Professional certificate. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband, Harry, and 18-year-old son, Joseph.
Director of Education Programs
“Collaboration changes everything”
“My entire 30 year career has been focused on continuously improving the delivery of design and construction services. My passion has been collaboration for the purpose of producing increased value for my clients and delivering projects that meet their highest goals.”
Kristin brings 10 years of Lean consulting expertise to the design and construction industry. Prior to being a Lean Consultant, Kristin founded, grew and subsequently sold an architectural firm in the Boston Area. Her firm was recognized by Architectural Record as the Best Managed Small Firm, in part for the collaborative philosophy of her firm.
Currently Kristin provides coaching to teams and companies looking to implement Lean approaches. She has coached project teams implementing Lean on a wide range of project sizes from $500,000 to $6 billion, and a wide range project types including a commercial border crossing facility, Naval barracks, medical and behavioral health hospitals, theme park attractions, hotels and airports. Kristin has coached several hundred teams in the implementation of Last Planner System® in both design and construction applications. Her work has included coaching teams using Integrated Lean Project Delivery Agreements (IPLD).
Manager, Membership and Corporate Engagement
“I love working with the people in this industry and being able to provide them with concrete resources and benefits when they come to me with questions about Lean Design and Construction.”
In her role as Manager of Membership and Component Relations, Ilene Goldberg actively works to recruit and retain LCI members. She also facilitates member webinars, manages sponsorships for Congress, and works directly with LCI’s Communities of Practice (CoPs) to help them be successful in their local Lean efforts. She brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience to LCI, having previously worked with the National Association for Music Management, the Professional Landscaping Network and the National Association of Counties.
Ilene is currently working towards her B.A. in nonprofit management from Believue University. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, the National Association of Professional Women, and the National Association of Women in Construction.
In her spare time, Ilene loves to read and sing — she even has a background on opera vocal training!
Manager, Finance and Strategic Initiatives
“I love how passionate the Lean community is about transforming the industry.”
In her role as Manager of Finance and Strategic Initiatives, Shannyn Heyer oversees all things finance and accounting for LCI, in addition to providing support for Congress planning and marketing efforts. She brings 16 years of experience in financial management and small business development to LCI, having worked with clients across a number of industries, including real estate, architecture and software development.
She received her B.A. in English from Arizona State University and her M.B.A. from University of Massachusetts. In her spare time, Shannyn enjoys Pilates, country music and football.
Manager, Communities of Practice Relations
“I am excited to be able to bring my experience in Lean Construction implementation into this role while serving to support the LCI Practice Committee and Communities of Practice (CoPs) throughout the country and continuing to grow in my own Lean Journey.”
As Manager, Communities of Practice Relations, Denise Erminger supports the Practice Committee in its mission of strengthening the core groups that lead and grow our communities. As LCI’s national staff representative to the CoPs, she will enhance communications between LCI National and the CoPs, and be the focal point for engaging other LCI staff in successfully executing this role.
Denise was introduced to Lean Construction through her work with the construction organization at BP’s Whiting Refinery serving as its Lean Champion for more than five years, and a member of the projects organization for ten. She has a proven track record in guiding and coaching construction teams to support them in achieving efficient field execution and excellent safety performance through the use of Lean methods and tools.
Denise resides in Munster, Indiana (just 30 miles southeast of Chicago) with her husband, Don. In her free time, she enjoys bike riding and walking, home improvement projects, and spending time with their three adult sons, Jeremy, Josh and Kyle.
Data Management Administrator
“I thoroughly enjoy working with the exceptional people participating in the Lean movement.”
As Data Management Administrator, Carolyn Martin assists with the management of LCI’s databases and event registrations, and serves as a customer service liaison for our members and vendors. She brings to LCI more than 40 years of office management experience, including her roles as Contractor-Program Manager at the Federal Aviation Administration, Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO of Aerospace Industries Association and Administrative positions at the University of Virginia.
Carolyn studied Business Administration from Piedmont Virginia Community College and certification in Business Management, Human Relations and Supervisory Leadership from the University of Virginia.
She lives with her husband in Charlottesville, VA, where she enjoys the beaching, boating and gardening.
Administration Manager
“I love being a part of LCI’s growth and transformation, and meeting all of the great people involved in the Lean movement.”
In her role as Administration Manager, Julia Shellhouse oversees office operations, including database management, event registration, membership profiles and inventory for LCI simulation games and publications. She also serves as project manager for LCI’s Association Management System (AMS) migration project and as a liaison for LCI members and Communities of Practice (CoPs).
She received her education in Lean practices in her role as Assistant to the President of W.J. Usery & Associates, a labor-management relations consulting firm. It was there that she got a first-hand look at Lean in action through former Labor Secretary William Usery, Jr.’s work with Toyota at the now-closed New United Motor Manufacturing plant in Fremont, CA. Julia received her B.A. in English from Dickinson College.
She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband, two sons, Jack Russell Terrier, corn snake and Russian tortoise. In her free time, she enjoys art, music, museums, reading, baking and baseball — “Go Nats!”
Manager, Marketing & Events
“I really appreciate LCI’s mission to create a more efficient and effective construction industry for our members.”
As LCI’s Manager of Marketing and Events, Olivia Manous is responsible for creating content and monitoring LCI’s social media accounts with the goal of reaching as many members and non-members as possible with up to date information on news in the Lean Design and Construction community, LCI events and educational opportunities. Additionally, she works on LCI’s marketing efforts to include email marketing, blog posts and the monthly LCI newsletter. She supports the planning of LCI’s national events: Congress and the Lean in Design Forum.
Olivia earned a Bachelor of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University.
4601 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22203
©2021 Lean Construction Institute. All Rights Reserved. · Threshold Technologies, Inc.