This year, LGW is proud to honor Terry Kenny ('16), Market President, TD Bank, with the 2025 LGW Leader of the Years award. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Terry has shown extraordinary leadership in business and in his commitment to nonprofit organizations across the region through board service, volunteering, and charitable support. We wanted our readers to get to know Terry a little more, so we sat down with him to discuss his journey to our biggest night!
George
First off, and most importantly, how does it feel about being named the Leader of the Years for 2025?
Terry
Well, George, it obviously feels fantastic, but I have to say I’m incredibly humbled and honored. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m worthy, just given that I personally know many of the past recipients. Being mentioned in the same breath as them is amazing.
George
I had a quick chat with Doug Duncan yesterday about why the committee chose you as Leader of the Years. My main takeaway was just how active and connected you have been with LGW since completing the Signature Program in 2016. What originally drew you to the program and what drives you to continue to be a part of the organization?
Terry
You can't really spend much time in DC without running across graduates of the program, and indeed that was the case for me. I knew many people who had gone through the program and how highly they spoke of it, and of course, Lyles Carr (’87) was after me aggressively, and I probably should have joined one, two, three, or even four years earlier. But you always think you're too busy, which, in hindsight, you're not, because this is a tremendous organization. You get exposed to a wide range of things, events, people, and more, and I'm glad I did it because I had a fantastic class and experience. I think once you're engaged, you get to see a lot of other needs that are out there in the community. That, coupled with my position at TD Bank, allows me to be very active in a lot of different organizations, both inside and outside LGW. And if I really trace it all back, if you will, to my parents, we weren't wealthy by any means, but they always volunteered for things, and I do think that left a very strong impression on me.
You can benefit organizations not only with your treasure, but also with your time and dedication. That always resonated with me.
George
Speaking of your position at TD Bank, could you talk about some of your favorite parts of it and just the path that got you to where you are today?
Terry
Well, way back when the earth was cooling, I needed a job. I got engaged while I was in college, believe it or not, so I simply needed a job.
Maryland National Bank had a management training program, so I graduated from college on a Sunday, started there on Monday, and worked my way up through the industry – went to school at night, got my Master's degree, all of that. After leaving Maryland National Bank, I went to United Virginia Bank, which changed its name shortly thereafter to Crestar, and then we were acquired by SunTrust. That organization had a lot of influence on me – I was there for 23 years and had a lot of great mentors.
A position at TD opened about 16 years ago, and it was just a great time for me to leave and a great fit to help TD grow our presence in the Greater Washington region. Part of my job is to be active in the community – my direct day-to-day responsibility is running the commercial side of our bank from Delaware to Virginia. I am also responsible for the partnership with our stores and all our other business lines. Additionally, I am committed to being the face of TD in the communities we serve and leading our TD Charitable Foundation efforts in this region.
It’s the best part of my job, honestly – I love seeing the people and companies who I work with grow and prosper, but what excites me most is the positive impact we can have on the community with sponsorship support and philanthropic gifts.
George
Speaking of community support, between reading your bio and talking to folks who know you, you’re involved in a lot of different organizations across the region. Could you share with us some that are particularly meaningful to you?
Terry
Of course! Mark Bergel (’16), founder of A Wider Circle, was in my Signature Program class – 2016 Sweet 16, got to get that in there – and when we had Socio-economic Inclusiveness Day it made a tremendous impression upon me. Knowing Mark and his passion for ending poverty, not just in this region but across the country, I was drawn to it immediately. I served on their board for seven years and just recently resigned – I’m still a big advocate for their mission, but it was time for new voices at the table.
I’m also very happy to be a part of HEROES, Inc. with another classmate, Jack Nichols (’16), who worked with me in my previous life at SunTrust. Their mission is to support fallen first responders in the DMV – taking care of the family, paying off bills, and sending the kids to college. It’s really a tremendous group and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Greater Washington Board of Trade too, I’ve been on their board for seventeen years and lead our TD Morningstar group three or four times a year. It’s a great way to connect with the regional business community and the overlap with my work there and with LGW just pulls everything together.
And on a more personal side, my first wife Karma passed away from melanoma in 2020, and since then I’ve hosted an annual crab feast in her name. In the five years since she passed, we’ve raised over $50,000 for the Melanoma Research Foundation. So that's something that really means a lot to me.
George
On a similar note, are there any other LGW members you’d like to shoutout while we’re here?
Terry
I mean, seriously, there are countless, right? But I will say I had the privilege of serving under four awesome chairs because I was on the board for six years. First was Pinky Mayfield (’02), she’s just fantastic and did a wonderful job with financial stewardship. Then, of course, we had Mahan Tavakoli (’98) - he was such a great leader because it was during COVID, and he was just like the perfect person for that time. And then Rachel Kronowitz (’15) brought a whole other aspect to it. And then Alex Orfinger (’98) – who's just recently turned it over to Kathy Hollinger (’04) – Alex was the last chair that I served under. I just want to shout out all of them.
I would say when my wife passed, so many of my classmates were there for me – I want to point out Nancie Lynch (’16) for sure, Julie Statland (’16), Anna Bard (’16) who keeps us connected by organizing breakfasts together. They do a tremendous job in the community. And again, Mahan has always been a great cheerleader of mine, just a lovely guy. I run into him at a lot of events around town, and he’s just such an infectious, positive personality.
Then there’s Victor Hoskins (’16), who was in my Mindtrust – I love the optimism he has for our region, and what he does with all the various economic development groups he's worked with. It charges you up to be a part of this region, just really inspiring. I’d say the same about Alex, too – we need voices like his. Doug Duncan (’15), too. I’ve known him since he was mayor of Rockville, and his leadership of LGW has been admirable.
And of course, my dear friend Debbie Kaplan (’16) - if she hadn’t retired, I would not have met my current wife, Tricia Daniels, who's also an LGW grad of 2013. Rachel [Kronowitz] hosted the retirement party for Debbie at her house, and all kinds of people were sharing kind words about Debbie, myself included. At the end of my speech, I mentioned that she hadn’t set me up with someone like she’d promised for years, and after we were done Kathy Hollinger, who was Tricia’s boss at the time, asked if I was serious about meeting someone. I said yes, and two weeks later I got an email introducing the two of us. The rest is history.
The great thing about LGW is that it's a gift that keeps on giving, as I say. I think, in a nutshell, that's what it's all about, just fantastic people doing fantastic things together.
George
I know when you've been to the celebration before, but this will be your first time on the other side of the podium. Anything you’re looking forward to?
Terry
Well, you know Teresa Payne-Nunn (’14) and I did have the honor of hosting two years ago when Pinkie received the award. So, I have been on the stage, and I had a great time doing it with Theresa, a tremendous partner.
George
Oh yes, I forgot about that!
Terry
This time, though, it's going to be quite emotional, and I'm hoping my kids can make it there. I know my daughter can, and my son lives in Boston, so hopefully he'll be able to come down. I'm not a person who likes talking about himself, so that's going to be interesting for me, but I am looking forward to it. I think it's going to be just a tremendous party.
George
So that's about it from me, but before we go, are there any parting words for the folks at home?
Terry
If you're currently a member of LGW, I encourage you to get engaged. Stay engaged. And bring someone with you. It is a tremendous organization, and this region needs future leaders. You can see my gray hair, so we need the next generation. I am very optimistic about the future and want people to keep getting involved. And for those of you who may or may not be as engaged as you'd like, we'll take you back. Come on back. You always have a home here.
Tickets for the 2025 Celebration of Leadership, which is being held this year on October 30 at the Capital Hilton, are on sale now! Don't miss your chance to connect with extraordinary leaders from around the region while celebrating Terry as our Leader of the Years. We can't wait to see you there!