15th Annual Women of Distinction Celebration

The 2014 Woman of Distinction for the northern part of the Delmarva Peninsula is Terri Kelly, President and CEO of W.L. Gore & Associates, a multi-billion dollar enterprise that employs more than 10,000 associates in 45 plants around the world. Kelly will be honored at the 15th Annual Women of Distinction celebration on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. A proud Girl Scout alumna, Kelly joined Gore as an engineer in 1983 after graduating summa cum laude from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Kelly’s leadership abilities have driven her success in a company known for its non-hierarchical “lattice” structure. At Gore, associates become leaders based on their ability to gain the respect of their peers and to attract followers. Terri earned the title of president and CEO in 2005 — one of the few titles within the enterprise — following a peer-driven selection process.