Lean Six Sigma Alumni, Uncategorized

Karriejoi Coit: Incorporating LSS into a Career Grounded in Community

June 3, 2026

Overview:
Nonprofit organizations operate in environments defined by limited resources, high community need, and complex regulatory expectations. Within these constraints, many nonprofit leaders assume that Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is too corporate, too costly, or too rigid for mission‑driven work.

Not Karriejoi Coit, a seasoned nonprofit executive with more than two decades of experience in community-focused organizations. Quite the opposite: She views LSS as an essential framework for strengthening service delivery, maximizing resources, and enhancing community impact.

Coit’s process improvement work demonstrates that efficiency and compassion are not competing priorities; rather, they are mutually reinforcing elements of sustainable, people‑centered service.

Throughout her 20‑plus‑year career, Coit has built a diverse portfolio that includes organizational development, program expansion, policy creation, strategic planning, and executive coaching. She has led multi‑agency process improvement initiatives, developed organizational policies and standard operating procedures, and coached more than 100 nonprofit leaders. While leading multimillion‑dollar program portfolios, she has cultivated cross‑sector partnerships that advance equity, wellness, and community engagement. So, when Coit talks about the value Lean Six Sigma can bring to non-profit organizations, she knows what she’s talking about.

In 2025, Coit enrolled in BPG’s Lean Six Sigma Black Belt program during a professional transition. The training validated her natural systems‑thinking approach and strengthened her credibility as a process improvement strategist. Shortly after completing the program, she accepted a new role as Mission Director at a health‑focused community organization, where she immediately began applying LSS principles to real‑world challenges.

The challenges included redesigning the organization’s inventory system as part of a major food pantry expansion, transitioning information management systems to digital platforms to improve data accuracy, and increased the number of programs offered to the community from twelve to more than thirty. These high- operational improvements show that Lean Six Sigma can be adapted to nonprofit environments without compromising the human‑centered values that define mission‑driven organizations.

Assessment as a Foundational Practice

Coit begins every improvement effort with a comprehensive assessment phase grounded in Lean Six Sigma methodology.

She conducts Gemba walks to observe processes in real time and engages directly with staff, volunteers, and clients to understand workflow realities.
Collaboration is central to her approach, and she gathers insights from individuals at all levels of the organization, including frontline workers, leadership, and community partners.
She incorporates the voice of the customer through participant feedback systems, community listening sessions, and stakeholder interviews, ensuring that program design and strategic planning reflect the needs and experiences of those served.
Throughout this process, she emphasizes leadership, transparency, and respect for people, recognizing that those closest to the work often hold the most valuable insights.

Understanding Impact as Value

Coit knows that value cannot be measured solely by efficiency metrics; value must also be measured by the quality of the experience and outcomes for the people served. When seeking grants, cultivating partnerships, or advocating for program expansion, Coit uses LSS‑informed data to demonstrate increased participation, improved efficiency, enhanced client experience, and alignment with funder priorities. One example of this approach is the redesign of the food pantry inventory system. The goal was not simply to reduce waste or streamline tasks. Rather, the focus was on ensuring that families experiencing hardship could access fresh, reliable food with dignity. Lean Six Sigma provided the structure for improvement, while compassion guided the direction of the work.

Reflections on Lean Six Sigma in Nonprofit Settings

Coit acknowledges that implementing Lean Six Sigma in nonprofit organizations can present challenges. These include limited staff capacity, misconceptions that LSS is too corporate, inconsistent data collection practices, and resistance to change. For her, the benefits far outweigh the obstacles because Lean Six Sigma

provides nonprofit professionals with a shared language and framework for solving everyday challenges.
demonstrates that efficiency and compassion are mutually reinforcing elements of sustainable, people‑centered service.
strengthens credibility with funders, boards, and partners and equips leaders to build systems that support equity, efficiency, and long‑term impact.

About Karriejoi Coit is an Executive Leadership and Organizational Development Strategist who specializing in applying Lean Six Sigma methodologies to mission‑driven organizations, helping them streamline operations, strengthen governance, and expand community impact. Coit holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services from Wilberforce University and has multiple certifications including a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. You can learn more about her work at her website (https://sites.google.com/view/kjcoit/home) and on her LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karriejoi-coit-a617889/).