Building Trust, Driving Transformation: Tanya Terrell’s Leadership at BGE

In a sector where operational excellence and customer experience must go hand in hand, Tanya Terrell has established herself as a leader who not only builds strong processes but also fosters a culture that strengthens people and communities.

At BGE, Tanya has become known for her ability to, foster collaboration, and drive transformative initiatives that deliver business value while making a lasting social impact. Her recognition as a Women Who SPARK Award winner is a testament to her influence across the organization and the industry.

Asking the Right Questions

Tanya’s leadership philosophy starts with curiosity. “My approach is to ask questions and listen,” she explains. She relies on data, but also places high value on the insights of employees closest to the work. By working alongside her managers and teams to co-create frameworks, Tanya ensures that process improvements are not imposed from the top down but developed collaboratively.

"When teams understand the why behind a change, it creates ownership and accountability," she says. That belief in shared responsibility has enabled Tanya to build a culture of Trust.

Collaboration as a Cornerstone

At BGE, Tanya has earned a reputation for bringing teams together across functions to deliver results. For her, collaboration starts with a shared vision. “I invest time upfront to make sure every team understands how their work connects to a larger purpose,” she says.

She also creates space for diverse perspectives, knowing that stronger solutions emerge when leaders listen to all voices. And she makes celebration a regular practice, recognizing both individual contributions and team achievements. This intentional culture-building has made Tanya a trusted facilitator of cross-functional progress.

Operational Excellence with a Human Lens

Tanya sees no separation between operational excellence and customer experience—they must be inseparable. She encourages her teams to critically examine how decisions affect customer trust, time, and perceptions.

“Processes should not only be efficient but also create a better experience for the customers and communities we serve,” she explains. By centering operational improvements around the customer and communities, Tanya ensures that efficiency translates into real value for the people who rely on BGE every day.

Mentorship Through Change

With industry shifts driving organizational transformation, Tanya is intentional about how she mentors others. She starts by listening, then shares her own experiences navigating ambiguity.

"I hope that mentees see change not as something to fear, but as an opportunity for growth," she says. By modeling adaptability, she helps others build the resilience needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Transforming Communities Through Workforce Development

Among Tanya’s many achievements, she is especially proud of her work in workforce development, which connects local communities to career pathways within the utility sector.

Her team designed a strategy aligned with BGE’s business goals that also advances economic opportunity. The results speak volumes: in 2024, one out of every ten new hires at BGE came through a workforce development program. “It demonstrates how a company can deliver both business value and social impact,” Tanya says. “And I’ve seen firsthand how it changes lives.”

Lessons in Leadership

Having led complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and external partners, Tanya has learned that "change happens at the speed of trust." She believes relationships are as meaningful as project plans, and success comes from understanding priorities, pressures, and what each partner needs to succeed. Flexibility, focus, and collaboration, she says, are critical in navigating complexity.

A Role Model for Authentic Leadership

For Tanya, receiving the Women Who SPARK Award is both an honor and a responsibility. “I hope my work shows other women that you can lead authentically, own your strengths, and create space for others to succeed,” she reflects.

Her story is a powerful example of how leadership grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and authenticity can transform not just organizations, but entire communities. Tanya Terrell is more than a leader at BGE—she is a catalyst for progress across the utility industry.