He also specializes in process improvement, and the use of lean methodologies in bringing about significant and measurable organizational improvement. He is the former Chief Learning Officer for ThedaCare, a N. E. Wisconsin-based integrated
healthcare delivery system, retiring from that position in 2014. Roger has a 50 year career history that includes primarily significant work within the healthcare industry. However, he has also spent a quarter of his career in manufacturing and service industries nationwide. In addition, he has his own creative photography/illustration business that he shares with his wife, Debra.

Dr. Roger Gerard is the owner of Sloan & Gerard Consulting, a private consulting practice serving large healthcare system executives and Boards in strategic planning, operational planning, executive coaching and management development. He also specializes in process improvement, and the use of lean methodologies in bringing about significant and measurable organizational improvement. He is the former Chief Learning Officer for ThedaCare, a N. E. Wisconsin-based integrated
healthcare delivery system, retiring from that position in 2014. Roger has a 50 year career history that includes primarily significant work within the healthcare industry. However, he has also spent a quarter of his career in manufacturing and service industries nationwide. In addition, he has his own creative photography/illustration business that he shares with his wife, Debra.

Prior to his 23 year tenure with ThedaCare, Roger served as Vice President of Northern Michigan Hospitals in Petoskey, Michigan
(1990-1991), and as the Director of Organizational Development (1985-1990). Before joining NMH, Roger was Creative
Manager for Quality Systems for Sandy Corporation in Troy, Michigan, one of the largest training/consulting firms in the
Midwest. With Sandy, he consulted with major clients (Burroughs, IBM, General Motors, Hyatt, etc.) on systemic leadership
development and quality improvement projects. He also spent three years as Management Development Specialist for Gulf
+ Western Manufacturing, a Fortune 100 company.
Roger has over 40 years of experience leading executive and management development initiatives, in both large and small
organization environments, focusing specifically on organizational performance improvement processes. He has co-authored
a book published through the Lean Enterprise Institute entitled “On the Mend” focused on the ThedaCare Lean Journey, and
has presented at numerous national conferences, and most recently served as Chair of the HealthCare Track at the
Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) in Dallas on lean in the healthcare industry, and locally throughout
Wisconsin and Michigan. Roger is a past member of ASQ, SHRM and OD Network. He earned his Ph.D. in Management and
Applied Decision Sciences from Walden University in 2001.
Dr. Gerard has one son and three daughters and among them 6 grandchildren.

Career Summary:

Over fifty years of increasingly more responsible experience in Human Resources, organizational development, training and instructional design, within both the manufacturing and healthcare industries. Extensive experience in needs assessment, staff recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, project management, employee incentive systems, supervisory skills training, key manager development, and the supervision of other human resources activities. Supervised both professional and non-professional staff and managed substantial budgets. Strong organizational and administrative skills, with a focus on improving organizational productivity and quality performance, through an effective human resources function.

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“The culture and health of an organization is built upon relationships and the ability for the leaders and team members to foster and sustain honest and supportive relationships. Roger Gerard provides both a theoretical and applied approach to the art of developing leaders and creating and sustaining actively engaged cultures. Roger’s experience in organizational operations and learning and development along with his passion for enhancing cultures by developing leaders places him in a unique position as a thought leader and expert in assessing and enhancing organizational cultures. Owning the Room is a must read for any leader who desires to transform their organization’s culture and performance to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.” – Candice Saunders, President and CEO Wellstar Health System

“The integration of mindful intention, heart intention and spirit intention is a great gift to those who are leaders, and to those who will lead in the future. I wish I had this book forty years ago!” – Ed Hammen, Retired Health Care Executive

“This book should be required reading for all who are learning about leadership! The content, storytelling and activities kept me engaged throughout the book. This hit home!” – Julie Brussow, CEO, Security Health Plan

“This work will touch the hearts and minds of all leaders who read it!” – Andrew Cox, Chief of Staff to the CEO, WellStar Healthcare System

“A book focused on leading with mind, heart and spirit to make extraordinary choices in a demanding world should always be welcomed. However, a thoughtful, practical and thoroughly engaging work about the topic as the global crisis related to COVID-19 unfolds is truly a gift of impeccable timing. No organization and no leader escapes disruption. The only questions are how much and for how long? Owning the Room does not “admire the problem,” rather it guides current and future leaders not only to lead change, but to become professionals prepared to lead through change, no matter how novel. In my experience, the best leaders ‘own the room’ by having one foot in the library and one foot in the street. On multiple occasions I have seen Dr. Gerard own the room as he masterfully leads organizations and groups through challenging times. All leaders will now benefit from his ability to bring both feet into Owning the Room.”

– David A. Shore, PhD, author and former associate dean of Harvard University and former distinguished professor of innovation and change at Tianjin University of Finance and Economics (China).

“This book is terrific, a must read “leadership examination of confidence”! The theme of mind, heart and spirit will challenge all leaders on some level to improve his/her effectiveness. The format for each chapter with the content itself together with a section at the end for reflections and challenges provides the reader with a framework for a very personal, and deep evaluation of his or her effectiveness. The emphasis on the leader’s responsibility for the full continuum her/his behaviors and the impact of these behaviors on the organization’s performance is really key. The content is authentic, reflecting the author’s years of executive and consulting work. The sections on change, culture and working with others to achieve their full potential are so true and particularly resonated with me. Reading the book was an opportunity for me to reflect on my own leadership highs and lows. More high’s than lows. But it was always the latter where deep painful learning occurred.” – Paul Macek, Retired CEO

“This is truly an inspiring, powerful book! The way it is broken into three parts is wonderful…I loved this book, and can’t wait to pass this gift on to so many others.” – Melissa Breen, Chief of Staff to the CEO, Marshfield Clinic Health System.