Tom Gattiker, a professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management, led two consulting workshops last fall for Jesse Tree, a Boise nonprofit. During these sessions, Gattiker guided the organization’s leadership team in designing and documenting key administrative processes using Lean Six Sigma improvement tools to identify the most critical processes. He then helped the team define and refine how these processes should function.
“I do a lot of this type of pro bono consulting in the nonprofit community,” Gattiker said. “I draw heavily on my experience as a Lean Six Sigma black belt.”
Jesse Tree is a Boise-based nonprofit that provides financial assistance and case management to households at risk of eviction. Their services include landlord mediation, budget assistance and house stability planning. The organization also provides financial assistance to help people catch up on rent.
“Our leadership team at Jesse Tree was very fortunate to spend some time working with Tom through our work with the Idaho Partners For Good,” said Evan Stewart, Jesse Tree’s program director. “Tom helped our team through some tricky organizational challenges and assisted us with mapping out processes to better support our leadership team to make those organizational challenges less tricky. We are very grateful for Tom’s support!”
Gattiker connected with Jesse Tree through the Idaho Partners for Good, an organization dedicated to strengthening Idaho nonprofits by enhancing their infrastructure. The group provides grants and free operational advice to help nonprofits maximize their impact in the community.
“Tom Gattiker is one of Idaho Partners for Good’s most experienced and dedicated process improvement experts,” said Blossom Puamohala Johnston, founding partner and director of Idaho Partners for Good. “With a heart for service, he has played a critical role in strengthening key nonprofits like Jesse Tree Idaho and the Boise Bicycle Project. His expertise in refining core functions—such as succession planning and customer-facing services—has not only enhanced these organizations’ effectiveness but also empowered their teams with the skills to sustain and replicate improvements long after his work is done. Thanks to Tom’s generosity and commitment, these nonprofits are stronger, more resilient and better equipped to serve their communities.”