3rd Annual Organizational Performance Improvement Conference

The Industrial/Organizational Graduate Student Organization invites you to join us and our fantastic speakers for our inaugural Organizational Performance Improvement Conference on Saturday, April 11, 2026 held at the Fetzer Center.

For more information about past OPICs visit our OPIC website.

About: The Organizational Performance Improvement Conference is dedicated to providing individuals interested in organizational improvement with opportunities to learn more about applications of organizational behavior management (OBM) to improve workplace performance across all levels of the organization. OBM is a science based approach to improving worker performance, safety, and satisfaction, process efficiency, and/or organizational health rooted in foundations of behavior analysis.

Those who attend the conference will leave with a better understanding of how to influence behavior in the workplace and new ideas when approaching opportunities for improvement within organizations!

Due to limited capacity, tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Donations and Sponsorship: We are excited to offer sponsorship opportunities for individuals or oganizations who donate to support the conference. All lower tier perks are included in higher donation levels (i.e. if the highest donation amount is provided, all perks are rewarded).

Legacy Donor ($1000+ donation): Set up a table during the poster session and/or a 5-minute conference presentation

Visionary Partner ($500 donation): 1 free attendance ticket and 1 free lunch ticket

Champion of Change ($250 donation): Day of conference logo promotion (on break slides and printed at high visibility locations)

Inspiration Leader ($100 donation): Program Newsletter (Spring Edition) Shoutout

Catalyst to Growth ($50 donation): Logo advertisement in website and day of program

We appreciate any support, even if you cannot commit to our lowest tier. All proceeds go towards IOGSO operations and planning for conferences.

Contact us: If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

For more information about our guest speakers and their topics of discussion, keep reading!

Title: Behavioral Safety in the Wild: Navigating Implementation in Real-World Organizations

Abstract: Implementing effective behavioral safety solutions is one of the most impactful, yet challenging, undertakings in organizational consulting. Because every company brings its own culture, challenges, and level of readiness, success requires behavior analysts be flexible while remaining grounded in the science.

This talk will cover the steps of typical behavioral safety implementations including marketing, sales, assessment, training and coaching. It will also cover tips on handling common challenges like overcoming resistance, navigating client politics, engaging busy leaders, and dealing with rapid organizational change.

The session will conclude with advice for OBM students preparing to enter the workforce and a dedicated Q&A session.

Bio: With more than 30 years of consulting experience and a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis, Judy Agnew partners with clients to create behavior?based interventions that are safe by design and lead to optimal and sustainable organizational change. Judy has worked in a variety of industries, including mining, oil and gas, transportation, chemicals, forest products, utilities, food and non-food manufacturing. She has successfully worked with diverse employee populations and organizational issues and has functioned as both an on-site consultant and as a project manager for multi-consultant, multi-site projects.

Judy is a recognized thought leader in the field of behavioral safety and safety leadership and has an active speaking schedule, including presenting at major safety conferences, including ASSP and NSC. She is frequently interviewed for national and trade publications and has been featured in Occupational Health and Safety, and Industrial Hygiene News to name a few. She is the author of five highly regarded safety books: Removing Obstacles to Safety (with Gail Snyder), Safe by Accident? Leadership Practices that Build a Sustainable Safety Culture (with Aubrey Daniels), A Supervisor’s Guide to (Safety) Leadership, Safe by Design: A Behavioral Systems Approach to Human Performance Improvement (with David Uhl), and Safe Habits: A Systems Approach to BBS (with Bart Sevin).

A native of Calgary, Canada, Judy earned her Ph.D. in behavioral psychology from the University of Victoria. Judy currently lives with her family in California.

Title: Operational Excellence Through Data: Aligning People, Systems, and Decision-Making

Abstract: This session offers a practical, inside look at how a data-driven Operations leader uses Continuous Improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, and Behavior Science principles to guide decision making and ensure reliable performance. Garrett Warrilow will illustrate how data supports daily production reviews, long-term strategic planning, and overall operational decision-making. The talk will highlight how statistical and behavioral data work together to reduce variation, reinforce expectations, and maintain operational flow.

Attendees will also learn how leaders can structure visual management, digital tools, and performance systems so data becomes clear, accessible, and actionable at every level of the organization. The session will show how structured process, aligned metrics, and behavior science principles can anchor a culture of continuous improvement. The goal is to provide a practical model for integrating data into operations in a way that strengthens reliability, enhances quality, and supports long-term, scalable growth.

Bio: Garrett Warrilow is an Operations Leader with expertise in organizational behavior management, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement. He holds a PhD in Behavior Analysis, is a certified Project Management Professional, and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Garrett has led operations, training, and transformation efforts in complex manufacturing environments, leveraging his knowledge of behavior science, statistics, and structured operational systems to improve reliability and performance.

In his current role, Garrett serves as Director of Operations for Zoetis’s largest manufacturing site, where he is responsible for operational performance, strategic planning, and building high-reliability teams. His work integrates data, process, and culture to create systems that scale and sustain improvement.

Title: From Graduate Training to Industry Practice: Applying OBM in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Abstract: This presentation examines the practical application of Industrial/Organizational Behavior Management principles in pharmaceutical manufacturing, based on my professional experience since graduating from Western Michigan University’s master’s program in 2022. The session highlights how graduate-level skills and a behavior-analytic worldview translate to highly regulated manufacturing environments. We will walk through how I used a structured problem-solving approach on various projects and what led to projects successes and failures, discuss my transition from an individual contributor to a supervisor role, and compare continuous improvement efforts within a long-established global organization versus a rapidly growing company. The presentation offers an applied, transparent perspective for students and practitioners bridging classroom concepts to real-world industry.

Bio: Jose Ruiz is an Operational Excellence Supervisor/Lead at Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM). He leads a team of operational excellence specialists, driving continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. He began his education at the University of Nevada Reno, earning a bachelor’s in psychology before moving to Michigan where he earned his master’s degree in industrial/organizational behavior management at Western Michigan University. He previously worked as a Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer at Pfizer and specializes in lean manufacturing, behavior-based problem solving, and performance improvement in pharmaceutical operations.

Title: Behavioral Systems Analyses in the Field: Examples and Insights

Abstract: To be announced

Bio: To be announced

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