Overview

This month’s featured guest on “The Lean Catalyst” is: Stan Askren, Former President & CEO – HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI)

In this dynamic, one-hour interview series, we will bring together like-minded CEOs who have successfully embraced Lean thinking to drive exceptional results. Through captivating conversations, we delve into their remarkable achievements, uncovering the strategies, insights, and practical wisdom that have propelled their organizations forward. Each interview features an in-depth interview with a distinguished CEO who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in leveraging Lean principles. It’s a great opportunity for sharing experiences, strategies, and valuable knowledge that others can apply to their own leadership journeys.

Mr. Askren served as the chairman of HNI from 2004 until December 31, 2018 and as CEO of HNI from 2004 until July 2018. Previously, he was the president from 2003 to April 2018, and executive vice president of HNI from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Askren had worked at HNI for 27 years, including as vice president of marketing, vice president of human resources, and as an executive vice president and president of HNI’s hearth business segment. Mr. Askren has also worked in several industries and previously held multiple executive management and general management positions with Emerson Electric, Thomson S.A. and HNI. He is a lifetime inductee to the Shingo Academy Lean Hall of Fame.

Stan currently serves as a Board Director at Sylvamo. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, from the University of Northern Iowa and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.