Data-Driven Process Improvement

Akshay Sivadas is the co-founder and CEO of Quicware, where he supports startups and small-to-medium businesses in developing software products and building effective teams. With a background in mechanical engineering from the University at Buffalo, he previously worked with manufacturers to enhance operational efficiency by applying ISO standards, lean practices, and six sigma methodologies.

Peter Baumgartner is the Operational Excellence Director at the University at Buffalo's The Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE), where he specializes in Lean Six Sigma methodologies. As a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, he has successfully led numerous process improvement projects across various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance, achieving significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo.In his role at UB TCIE, Baumgartner focuses on developing others' potential through training in Lean and Six Sigma principles. He teaches courses such as "Data Analysis and Visualization" and "Data-Driven Process Improvement" on Coursera, equipping students with essential skills for effective data-driven decision-making in their organizations.