Featuring Larry Coburn, Leadership & Lean Thinking Coach; Program Director, Master’s in Leadership Program, Northwest Christian University
Leadership & Lean Thinking Coach
Program Director, Master’s in Leadership Program, Northwest Christian University
Larry Coburn is a thinker, coach, and leader. He adds value by coaching leaders and teams to think with more clarity and act with effectiveness. And he extends that value to a range of experiences, opportunities, and communities.
Based in Eugene, Oregon, Larry’s academic and professional experiences have provided him a range of leadership roles. He holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Oregon, and an MS in Ministry from Pepperdine University. He has 37 years of international business experience in Finance, IT, Marketing, Training, Lean Manufacturing, and Leadership Coaching.
Larry’s leadership experience includes 27 years in many roles for Nike. From 2003-2008 Larry was a key Spokesman and Thought Leader for NOS (Nike’s Lean Manufacturing initiative) and the chief architect of Nike’s Lean Manufacturing “House” — which remains the basis for Lean Training, Implementation, and Assessment within Nike Manufacturing partner base. Larry also served as Director of Nike’s Lean Training Center in Vietnam for 5 years — responsible for training over 300 senseis from 40 factories spread across 6 countries and cultures, who are today driving the lean transformation of the Athletic Footwear Manufacturing Industry.
After retiring from Nike in 2008, Larry has focused on applying lean to non-manufacturing business environments, as well as continuing to work with factories – primarily in the footwear and apparel industries. He has developed and delivered training for lean coaches in the US, Europe, Americas, and Asia in the business areas of IT, Finance, Sales Operations, Human Resources, Administrative Services, Supply Chain Logistics, and Product Development.
Larry also conducts a consulting practice that centers on coaching leaders and providing inspirational leadership presentations. He is a member of the John Maxwell Team member and licensed Live2Lead host. Live2Lead is an annual leadership growth experience featuring John C. Maxwell and a selection of his friends and colleagues presenting fresh insights for leaders. The live program happens in the Atlanta area each year in October.
Larry now applies his extensive leadership experience to preparing and supporting both experienced and emerging leaders. He serves as the Program Director for the newly launched Master’s in Leadership program at Northwest Christian University. This fully online program is designed for seasoned leaders and aspiring leaders to engage with principles of best practice, to sharpen their own self-understanding as leaders, and to sharpen their skill set for more effective leadership in the groups and organizations where they serve. The program includes concentrations in Business Administration, Church Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, and Non-Profit Management.
Through his many leadership roles, Larry is helping shape current and future leaders into more effective thinkers and managers who will make a positive impact not only in business but also society.