
Overview
LGN Latin America (LGN LA) is a joint initiative led by Christopher Thompson and the Lean Institute Brasil (LIB) with support from the Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc. (LEI), and Instituto Lean Management Espana (ILM Spain). LGN LA is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
LGN institutes and partners have been active in many countries in Latin America over the past decade. We recognize there is growing interest in the region for more lean knowledge and technical support.
The purpose of LGN LA is to create greater awareness of LGN’s point-of-view – both Lean Thinking and Practice and what it takes to lead a successful lean transformation — throughout the Spanish speaking countries of Latin America.
Our initial approach is to provide a unified and coordinated strategy to advance lean thinking in the region through selective education and awareness activities. We aim to identify like-minded lean thinkers and practitioners and facilitate connections and learning opportunities among interested companies, institutions, and individuals.
At the same time, we want to develop local capabilities and knowledge by working together with local organizations.
If you or your organization would like to learn more or are interested in joining our initiative, please contact us at cthompson@lean.org.br
In order to achieve our purpose in Latin America we plan to:
- Share our understanding of what it takes to lead an organization-wide Lean transformation
- Improve access to Spanish language thought leading Lean books and publications
- Greater access to public and in-company educational programs and events
- Partner with Lean practitioners and thought leaders in the region.
Leadership Team

Oriol Cuatrecasas
Executive Committee Member
oriol.cuatrecasas@institutolean.orgOriol Cuatrecasas heads the Instituto Lean Management (ILM) in Barcelona, Spain. ILM Spain spreads Lean Thinking throughout Spain and collaborates with organizations in Spanish speaking countries to promote Lean activities.

Telma Rodriguez
Latin America Co-ordinator
telma@lean.org.br
Jose R. Ferro
President and founder
lean@lean.org.brPresident and founder of Lean Institute Brasil. Vice-chair of the Lean Global Network. Senior Advisor of the Lean Enterprise Institute in the U.S.A. One of the founders of the lean global movement. Speaker  in conferences and events in 26 countries. Researcher at the MIT project  that lead to the publication of the book “The Machine that changed the world†where the term lean was coined. Author of chapters of the Portuguese-language version of the books “The Machine that Changed the World†and “Lean Thinking†by Womack and Jones. Holds a B.S. in Production Engineering and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Business Administration.

John Y. Shook
Senior Advisor
jshook@lean.orgJohn Shook is recognized as a true sensei who enthusiastically shares his knowledge and insights within the Lean Community and with those who have not yet made the lean leap.
Shook learned about lean management while working for Toyota for nearly 11 years in Japan and the U.S., helping it transfer production, engineering, and management systems from Japan to NUMMI and subsequently to other operations around the world. While at Toyota’s headquarters, he became the company’s first American kacho (manager) in Japan. In the U.S., Shook joined Toyota’s North American engineering, research and development center in Ann Arbor, MI, as general manager of administration and planning. His last position with Toyota was as senior American manager with the Toyota Supplier Support Center in Lexington, KY, assisting North American companies implement the Toyota Production System. As co-author of Learning to See John helped introduce the world to value-stream mapping. John also co-authored Kaizen Express, a bi-lingual manual of the essential concepts and tools of the Toyota Production System. In his latest book Managing to Learn, he describes the A3 management process at the heart of lean management and leadership.
Shook is an industrial anthropologist with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii, and is a graduate of the Japan-America Institute of Management Science. He is the former director of the University of Michigan, Japan Technological Management Program, and faculty of the university’s Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering. Shook also helps companies learn lean management through the Lean Transformations Group, LLC, and the TWI Network, Inc.

Christopher Thompson
Director
cthompson@lean.org.brDirector - Lean Institute Brazil
Christopher Thompson has been disseminating and implementing lean thinking and practice for 14 years in Latin America as a member of the Lean Institute Brazil. He has supported more than 200 companies in their lean transformations covering sectors such as automotive, aeronautics, construction, metallurgical, food, pharmaceutical, technology, health, consumer, chemical and services. In recent years, it has been leading organizations through digital transformations using lean thinking. Has as a Master's Degree in Naval and Oceanic Engineering from the Polytechnic School of USP.