What a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Can Do

Megan Oczkewicz

When I was 35, I realized that my career in fundraising needed to come to an end. I was burnt out and I didn’t know what I wanted to do next. I took a job at the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) as an Administrative Coordinator and my manager encouraged me to take various classes. Once I began to learn about Lean Six Sigma, I didn’t want to stop. I found I was passionate about Lean Six Sigma, teaching adult learners, and facilitating groups through process improvement projects. After that first class, I went on to get my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (through an internal HCA program) and then my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (through the UWT PDC). 

Having my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt has opened many doors for me. I now do this work full time for the HCA, and it also gave me the opportunity to work for the UWT PDC. Through this work, I get to meet people from all different backgrounds, to learn about different aspects of the work they do, and to teach them about tools and concepts that can help change how they do their work. I feel so incredibly lucky to be in this position.

Nathan Navarro

I wanted to earn my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt to make a better life for my family by increasing my income, enhancing my career opportunities, and becoming a better manager. The Lean Six Sigma skillset is highly sought after from many types of organizations and my LSS Black Belt has opened up many career opportunities for me. I have used it as a foundation to enhance other skills I have, such as project management, change management, agile, leadership, and management. Not only do I teach Lean Six Sigma, I practice it daily in the workplace. I also travel to provide Lean Six Sigma training, coaching, consulting, as well as lead Lean Six Sigma improvement workshops. My Lean Six Sigma journey has been very fulfilling.

Chastity Walck

Pursuing a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt at UW Tacoma allowed me to elevate my career in many ways. This opportunity allowed me to focus on not just advanced-level tools, but also refine and tune into how I lead, how to support continuous improvement professionals, and how to apply Lean Six Sigma at the enterprise-level of an organization. It deepened my passion for the work and made me more curious. Having a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt provided the ability to train others and see the same excitement for continuous improvement within my organization. It later provided promotional opportunities, like leading an organization’s Office of Continuous Improvement.