Lane Parker,
VP Information Technology, Seagate Technology (colleague)
“Erika is the quintessential problem solver and teacher. I first met her when she was leading Six Sigma training for personnel from all parts of Seagate, including my IT organization. I was first struck by her complete mastery of the material, the various analytical tools, and her ability to understand any problem statement presented to her. Following that initial introduction I asked her management to allow her to support my organization in the various critical improvement projects we were undertaking. Erika's leadership, knowledge, and problem solving skills enabled our organization to succeed in a variety of challenges we were facing. A good example was a significant problem we were having with internal users complaining about difficulties they were having with our e-mail system. Erika quickly helped the team figure out the best way to collect the data we needed, identified the tools we would need for the analysis, and a way to measure success. Once the data was collected and analyzed we were able to implement corrective actions such as improved documentation and training focused on the key user complaints. Erika helped us narrow the focus to enable success much faster than we could have done without her. For about three years Erika helped us solve several significant problems our internal customers were facing with our IT systems. It was a huge loss to Seagate generally and to our IT organization in particular when Erika decided to leave Seagate. She would be the key to any organization's success with critical problems they're facing. I would have preferred it continue to be my organization she was helping.” February 21, 2010
Greg Bell,
Chief Audit Executive, Toyota Financial Services (colleague)
“Erika is highly motivated and energetic leader and is extremely effective in promoting change within an organization. Her mastery of process change oriented concepts is clearly evident and she does an excellent job of helping others to implement.” February 8, 2010
Kirsten Boehmer,
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Intrawest (colleague)
“Dynamic, personable, wicked-smart, creative and engaging are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about Erika. Erika was my Master Black Belt at Intrawest, and I always felt lucky that I was assigned to her. Consulting effectively on such heavy subject matter comes easily to Erika, and she was consistently there to nudge, or shove - me in the right direction when I needed her. She was even able to get me - a right-brained artist, to come to terms with my realization that I love spreadsheets and to embrace my desire to dig in and understand the goodness that lies within data. I am amazed at what I was able to accomplish under her tutelage. I would absolutely, and very highly, recommend Erika to any individual or organization looking to make breakthrough changes and discoveries in their organization, or even simply for someone looking to whip up an prize-winning Halloween costume - Erika can do it all and with style and class to boot.” March 6, 2009
Sarah Bergeron,
Regional Director of Revenue Management, Intrawest (colleague)
“Erika's knowledge in Lean Six Sigma has incredible breadth,and she has complete dedication to the rigor of the DMAIC process. Erika was both my instructor and Master Black Belt Mentor through my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, and a favorite of the class because she was able to convey the importance of the process, while instructing statistics, in an understandable and fun fashion. I consider myself fortunate to have been mentored by Erika and would highly recommend her to lead any LSS program that a company is deploying.” March 7, 2009
Paul VonLoh,
Sr. Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Seagate Technology (colleague)
“Erika is an incredible motivator. Personable as hell, easy on the eyes, super intelligent...and will get the job DONE! (Oh...and all the while exceeding your every expectation!). I found it inspiring to work with Her, and would and HAVE recommended Her above all other Master Black Belts I know. It was a distinct pleasure working with Her...and would love to do so in the future.” August 15, 2009
Sylvia Reed,
Business Process Improvement, LSS Black Belt, Whistler Blackcomb (colleague)
“Erika was one of my MBBs, mentors, and instructors through my Black Belt certification process at Intrawest. I always looked forward to our training sessions when she was the facilitator because she could make any complex and intricate topic interesting and, more importantly, understandable by explaining things in a way that I could really grasp. She motivated me to go beyond memorizing the rules to where I strived to comprehend the theory behind the concept itself. She was a great mentor to me – her energy, her patience, and her belief in my abilities inspired me to work harder and achieve more than I originally believed possible. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her.” January 21, 2009
Kyle Hannay,
LSS Black Belt, Intrawest (colleague)
“Although Erika’s technical expertise is a strength her ability to relate concepts to examples that resonate with different audiences makes her stand out. Her energy, patience and understanding allow her to vary her approach to ensure results. Erika was a tremendous asset to our company and the individuals she worked with.” January 13, 2009
Ed Beverly,
Master Black Belt, Toyota Financial Services (colleague)
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Erika at Toyota Financial Services since mid-2008. She’s an outstanding Master Black Belt: a rare combination of effective coach, detail-oriented project manager, understandable (& likable) stats professor, and a true business partner who wants the organization to succeed. Erika has demonstrated a strong ability to charter projects, engage associates, execute to timelines and deliver results. And she does it all with a sense of humor, a high degree of positivity, and the ability to make associates at all levels feel valued for their contribution. Erika is a true asset to any project team, department, or organization she supports.” January 5, 2009
Robert Reyes,
Exec. Dir. of Club Experience and Ops.,Intrawest
ULC, Resort Club Group
(colleague)
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, High Integrity
“We had the pleasure of working with Erika as we brought her on as the Consulting Master Black Belt on our process improvement project - Energy Efficiency. Throughout the process of this project, Erika provided a high level of structure and professionalism. Her can do attitude and willingness to jump in and provide support, motivation and knowledge is the reason this project was such a success and will provides us results for years to come. As a Facilitator and Consultant, Erika’ analytical and logical approach
to our meetings made the process which seemed insurmountable at
times productive, informative and fun. I would highly recommend Erika to any
company that is looking to improve their processes and business.” December 17,
2008
Curtis Coleman,
MSIA, CISM, CISSP, Director, Electronic Security, Seagate
Tech (colleague)
“When I was working on my Brown Belt in Six Sigma, I asked around the company regarding who would be the best person to mentor me through my certification project. I had selected a very complex problem involving Web Services security and needed a solid Master Black Belt to mentor me through the proper alignment and selection of statistical tools and Six Sigma methodology. I universally was directed to seek out Erika DeVito as
my mentor. I was blessed to have Erika accept me as a
mentoree! She has a master’s command of the Six Sigma methodology and tools.
She consistently demonstrates a strong analytical and logical approach to
solving problems, and her wonderful sense of humor and insight were winning
combinations in mentoring me. After I completed my Brown Belt project, many
times I consulted with Erika regarding process improvements in IT security.
What she gave me during those mentoring years has led to much of my current
success in integrating Six Sigma and IT Security at Seagate!” March 3, 2008
Kimberly Macaulay,
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Intrawest (colleague)
“Erika is a one of a kind motivator, leader and teacher. With her endless knowledge base and unique teaching and coaching skills, she is able to take complex statistical and business maximization concepts and make them tangible, relevant and clear. Erika's personable but professional attitude motivates all around her to not only meet expectations, but exceed them. Erika's commitment and dedication to her students, colleagues and her job make Erika an asset to any organization. Personally, her coaching and mentoring skills, and especially her endless patience, were instrumental in my certification as a Black Belt, and I would recommend her to anyone or any organization. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with someone as inspirational and driven as Erika.” July 18, 2007
Susan Butkus,
Sr. Statistical Engineer, LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson comp. (colleague)
“Erika effectively led the Statistical Engineering group, ensuring that all projects were supported and that her team had what was needed to get the job done well and on-time. Her combination of enthusiasm and technical competence contribute to her effectiveness as both a leader and an individual contributor. Erika is definitely an asset to any organization.” May 24, 2006
Dick Booton,
Business partner
“Erika has outstanding credentials as a professional and as Master Black Belt. She has had success in her career to this point and should continue to be very successful. I am proud to have her as a client and look forward to a continuing relationship.” May 16, 2006
Sabrina Lozano,
Senior Director, Digital Content Governance, Seagate Technology (colleague)
“I have known Erika since 2000 where we worked together at Seagate developing strategies in eBusiness, and as my MBB mentor in Brown /Black Belt training. Erika is not only highly capable of training others in Six Sigma, but she is also strong in process management and is an effective leader of change. I would highly recommend her!” May 7, 2006
Karen Gadberry,
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Intrawest (colleague)
“As a Master Black Belt, Erika brings a wealth of knowledge to Lean Six Sigma training and coaching sessions. She has an amazing ability to translate her technical knowledge and mastery of statistics into an understandable language new students can easily understand. By using real-world examples, she demystifies Lean Six Sigma and helps trainees get the most out of the coaching experience.” May 5, 2006
Haleh Haririan,
Black Belt, Sun (colleague)
“Erika was my six sigma instructor and Master Black Belt during the last two years of my service at Seagate. I've always been amazed by Erika's subject matter expertise in six sigma as well as her teaching skills and statistical background. On other fronts, Erika was a role model in building and keeping long lasting relationships; as a result, she was a great influencer and a top notch change agent.” May 4, 2006
Dr. Howard Fuller,
Owner, Fuller, Jones Associates, Inc. (colleague)
“I have known and worked with Erika for over 10 years. During that time she has shown tremendous ability in both her hard and soft skills. She is an excellent statistician/MBB, motivated leader and excellent communicator. Erika has been very successful in every role, and I have personally recommended her for promotions and new positions based on her limitless talent.” May 4, 2006
