Introducing the 2026 LCI Congress Keynote Speakers
Our highly anticipated 2026 LCI Congress keynote speakers, Will Guidara and Rich Diviney, will share their unique journeys and perspectives in the context of this year’s Congress theme, Building the Future Together: Lean at the Crossroads. Get ready for inspiring, powerful messages from these world-class innovators.
2026 LCI Congress Co-Chairs Elizabeth Taylor and Matt Bleakley offer, “Our keynote speakers will each share their unique outlook, experience, and expertise in bringing out the best in teams, achieving excellence, and more—and tie it all in with advancing Lean design and construction.”
Learn more about our 2026 keynote speakers—and don’t miss the chance to see them in person at the 2026 LCI Congress, October 12-16, in Atlanta, Georgia! Register today.
Will Guidara, NYT Bestselling Author: Unreasonable Hospitality; Co-Producer: The Bear; Host: The Welcome Conference
Will is the author of the New York Times Bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality, which has sold over one million copies. He is also a co-producer of the Emmy Award-winning series The Bear, with its fifth season out now. His new book, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Field Guide, came out in April.
He is the former co-owner of the restaurant Eleven Madison Park, which received three Michelin Stars, the #1 spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List, and other notable recognition under his leadership. In addition, Will is a co-founder and host of The Welcome Conference held annually in New York City at Lincoln Center, and a recipient of the Wall Street Journal Innovator Award.
Tying It All in With Lean
Across all of Will’s roles, his overriding philosophy is one of “people first” and “teams first.” He talks of shifting away from assuming the worst in people and instead bringing out the best, and also focuses on exceptional service and client satisfaction. During his keynote address, he’ll expand on his point of view, which aligns seamlessly with the core Lean tenet Respect for People and the Lean Conditions of Satisfaction concept.
Rich Diviney, Founder: The Attributes®; Retired Navy SEAL Officer; Bestselling Author: The Attributes
Rich Diviney is a bestselling author, leadership and human performance expert, and retired Navy SEAL commander with over 20 years of service and thirteen overseas deployments. During his military career, he played a key role in elite SEAL selection and training, helping refine exceptional candidates into high-performing teams through a rigorous focus on physical, mental, and emotional discipline.
Since retiring from the Navy, Rich has worked as a speaker, facilitator, and consultant with Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute and Simon Sinek Inc. He is the founder and CEO of The Attributes Inc. and author of The Attributes. Rich speaks and consults on leadership strategies, assessment and selection processes, and optimal performance techniques, and has worked with thousands of businesses, athletic organizations, and military leaders. His past clients include American Airlines, Deloitte, Zoom, Meijer Inc., Pegasystems, and the San Francisco 49ers.
Relating his Expertise to Lean Design and Construction
In his keynote on the Five Characteristics of a High-Performing Team, Rich will challenge attendees to look beyond talent and competence to understand what truly drives sustained excellence. His insights align seamlessly with LCI’s core Lean tenet of Continuous Improvement.
Join us at the 2026 LCI Congress for all this and more!
Register today for the 28th Annual LCI Congress in Atlanta, GA, with the lowest available rates.
Need to make the case for the 2026 LCI Congress?
Use our customizable employer request template to highlight the benefits of attending LCI Congress.
Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the 2026 LCI Congress?
Explore sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. Contact Ilene Goldberg, igoldberg@leanconstruction.org or (703) 785-9087, for more information.
Questions on the Congress program?
Contact Joan Piccariello with any questions about the Congress program.