LCI Staff

Interim Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer

“I love how passionate the Lean community is about transforming the industry.”

In her role as Chief Financial Officer, Shannyn Heyer plays a key role in aligning financial strategy with LCI’s long-term goals, supporting organizational resilience, and enabling continued investment in the Lean construction community. Shannyn is LCI’s longest-tenured staff member and has over 25 years of experience in financial management and small business development. During her career, she has worked with clients across a number of industries including non-profits, 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.

Senior Director, Education & Engagement

Tammy McConaughy currently serves as the Director, Education & Certification at LCI, bringing 16 years and a wealth of experience in Lean methodologies to the position. She has achieved a Six Sigma black belt and been actively involved in the construction industry since 2003.

Over the course of her career, Tammy has been pivotal in introducing various Lean techniques including Target Value Delivery, Integrated Project Delivery, and the Last Planner System^® to her project teams. She is dedicated to grounding these techniques in Lean principles and cultivating a Lean culture within various organizations.

Beyond her professional roles, Tammy has actively engaged in various Lean Construction Communities of Practice (CoPs). She served as a National Instructor for LCI and has contributed to publications like “Target Value Delivery: Practitioner Guidebook to Implementation.” Tammy also played a role in developing the LCI-CPD and LCI-CPC certifications before assuming her current position with LCI.

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.

Member Advocate

“When all you see is possibilities, anything becomes possible. For the past 25 years, I have helped organizations advance their mission by believing in what is possible and focusing on strengthening and promoting the value the organization brings to its members. I am excited to work on bringing more members of the building industry along on LCI’s mission to transform the industry’s practices and culture.”

Maryann’s role at LCI is to be a relentless advocate for the member by connecting with members to understand their challenges and creating and executing strategies for LCI to meet members’ needs. She is responsible for all facets of LCI’s membership recruitment and retention program and for ensuring that members’ are aware of and taking full advantage of all LCI has to offer. To schedule time to connect with Maryann, please use this link to access her calendar.

A native of Ohio, currently residing outside of Orlando, Florida with her husband, Al and their dog Jake, Maryann has a degree in business administration from Youngstown State University. She earned a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from USF Corporate Training and Professional Education and has completed the Corporate Responsibility Executive course at the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business. As a believer in lifelong learning, in her off time, she is always seeking opportunities for personal growth.

Manager, Sponsor & Exhibitor Relations

“I love working with the people in this industry and being able to provide them with the proper benefits and visibility when they come to me with questions about sponsorships and exhibits at LCI events.”

In her role as Manager of Sponsor & Exhibitor Relations, Ilene Goldberg actively works to manage sponsorships and exhibits for Congress and other LCI events. She also facilitates member webinars and works with LCI’s new Lean Certification. She brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience to LCI, having previously worked with the National Association for Music Education the National Association of Landscape Professionals, and the National Association of Counties.

Ilene received her B.S. in Nonprofit Management from Southern New Hampshire 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 in opera vocal training!

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.

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!”

Programs Support Manager

As Programs Support Manager, Mason supports the program development team for LCI’s annual Congress and other events throughout the year. He also handles LCI’s social media, administrative duties, and more.

Mason was introduced to Lean through the Washington Center for Academic Internships. He served as LCI’s Fall 2024 Events and Marketing Intern and was brought on permanently a year later.

Mason graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a degree in Political Science. He also focused on Russian Studies and continues to learn Spanish and Russian. In his spare time, Mason enjoys playing board games with friends, reading, and hiking.

Manager, Education & Certification

Kerry Beth brings over 15 years of experience in learning and development and Lean practice to her role at LCI, where she manages education pathways and supports certification applicants on their Lean journeys. She is passionate about designing clear, learner-centered experiences and helping professionals translate Lean principles into practice — strengthening capability, confidence, and continuous improvement across the industry. Prior to joining LCI, Kerry supported Lean training programs in both healthcare and construction environments, blending strategic insight with a human-centered approach to learning. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and bringing intention and joy to everyday life.

Member Engagement Specialist

“I love getting to know members — understanding what matters most to them so I can connect them with the right people, resources, and opportunities at every stage of their journey.”

In her role as Member Engagement Specialist at Lean Construction Institute, Julie supports LCI members throughout the full membership journey — from onboarding and navigating resources to helping identify the right opportunities, events, and connections aligned with individual and organizational goals. She serves as the key point of contact for LCI members, ensuring they feel supported, informed, engaged, and able to fully realize the value of their membership.

Throughout her career, Julie has worked in member-based organizations and is passionate about helping individuals succeed while contributing to the advancement of the industry. She brings extensive experience in relationship-building roles, including member engagement, sponsor and vendor participation, and event execution. Known for her collaborative approach and attention to detail, she is committed to delivering meaningful, high-quality member experiences.

She resides outside of Nashville with her husband and fur baby. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, cooking, painting, camping, and spending time with family.