Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series
Honoring the legacy of Otterbein’s 20th president, the Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series hosts compelling and thought-provoking scholars, dignitaries, business visionaries, and others who impact the areas of innovation, leadership, and collaboration. The series welcomes diverse outlooks that prompt dialogue, advance opportunity and inclusion, spark innovation and foster the pace-setting initiatives that distinguish Otterbein’s past, present, and future.
Fall 2026 Speaker: Lachandra Baker
The Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series at Otterbein University is honored to host a lecture by founder of LBB Edutainment, TEDx contributor, and author Lachandra Baker.
Speaker: Lachandra Baker
Public Lecture: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m.
Location:Riley Auditorium at the Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St., Westerville
About the Speaker
Lachandra B. Baker, MBA, CDP, is an award-winning workforce optimization strategist, author, TEDx contributor, and the founder of LBB Edutainment. Known as a powerful “Conduit for Connection,” she helps organizations turn corporate complexity and burnout into clarity, confidence, and collective momentum. By aligning mindset, behavior, and structural systems, she equips teams to move from passive disengagement to high-performing alignment with grit and grace.
A master storyteller who blends humor, honesty, and deep structural strategy, Baker is a five-time TEDx contributor and a recipient of the prestigious Gold, Silver, and Bronze Quill Awards for communication excellence. Recognized as a Columbus Future50 leader, a WELD Woman WELDing the Way honoree, and a Harvard University Young American Leaders program delegate, she actively influences the community through intentional activism and participation, as well as Board leadership with The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio. She is the author of the empowering book “Your Own Biggest Cheerleader” and operates from Columbus. She guides national and international organizations toward workplace cultures that genuinely work.
Lachandra Baker
About Kathy A. Krendl, Ph.D. H'18
After nine landmark years at Otterbein University, President Kathy A. Krendl, Ph.D. H’18 retired in June 2018. President Krendl was a strong and humble servant leader and a fierce champion of the transformative opportunities of an Otterbein education. Kathy’s legacy reflects the ideals for which we stand as a community-opportunity, innovation, service and inclusiveness.
In honoring her legacy, the Otterbein Board of Trustees considered the hallmarks of her tenure-pace setting innovation, increased partnerships and programs, a commitment to women’s leadership and growth resulting in the most diverse and academically prepared classes in recent Otterbein history. Specifically, her tenure included strategic enrollment gains, the largest campaign in Otterbein’s history, the educational model of the 21st century realized at The Point, a tuition freeze for five of her nine years, new partnerships that positioned Otterbein as a national leader and a personal unwavering commitment to access and affordability for all. Because learning and opportunity are key to an initiative that would honor her impact, the decision was made to establish the Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series.
Previous Speakers
Fall 2025 Speaker with The “Amazing” Tei Street
Spring 2024 – “Educating for Democracy” with Lynn Pasquerella, Ph.D.
2023 – “The Leaders We Need Now” with U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH)
Congresswoman Beatty, a native Ohioan, shared more about connecting people, policy, and politics to make a difference. Since 2013, Beatty has represented Ohio’s Third Congressional District. In the 117th Congress, Beatty served as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congresswoman Beatty is a vocal leader and advocate for the issues impacting Black Americans, including voting rights reform, police brutality, financial inequality, diversity and inclusion, healthcare access, and gun violence prevention.
2022 – “Working Together to Move Forward”
A panel discussion about ways to work across common “dividing lines” in society (race, gender, ideology, and others) to solve the issues that face us, including healthcare, education, and economic inequality. Featuring:
- Lilleana Cavenaugh Executive Director, Latino Affairs Commission
- Angela Cornelius Dawson Executive Director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health
- Steve Stivers President and CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce
2019 – “Preparing for an Uncertain Future: Two Reliable Roads” with Dr. Anita Perez Ferguson, former president of the National Women’s Political Caucus
Sharing insights into the impact e-commerce is having on face-to-face service jobs and how international labor markets, material sourcing and trade agreements are impacting reliable job forecasting in the United States.
