Executive honored for her leadership, innovation, and contributions to advancing the global supply chain profession
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Oct. 21, 2025 — Kristi Montgomery, Vice President of Innovation, Research & Development at Kenco, has been named one of Supply Chain Xchange’s 2025 Outstanding Women in Supply Chain, honoring her leadership, innovation, and lasting impact on the logistics industry.
The Outstanding Women in Supply Chain Award, now in its third year, celebrates leaders who demonstrate exceptional vision, advocacy, and influence in advancing supply chain management. Winners were selected by the Supply Chain Xchange staff from nominations that came from staff members and trusted advisors to the magazine, the official publication of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).
Montgomery was chosen for her involvement with industry associations such as CSCMP and her continued thought leadership around innovation, among her many achievements. She was recognized at CSCMP’s EDGE 2025 Conference, held Oct. 5–8 in National Harbor, Maryland. As part of the honor, she spoke about her expertise in the conference’s Ask the Expert Theater.
“Kristi’s ability to pair visionary thinking with practical execution has transformed how Kenco approaches innovation,” said Denis Reilly, President & CEO, Kenco. “Her work has delivered measurable results for our customers while inspiring the next generation of supply chain leaders to approach continuous improvement through the lens of next-generation technology.”
As the executive leader of Kenco Innovation Labs, Montgomery spearheads efforts to drive digital transformation and test emerging technologies. Under her leadership, the team has identified more than $50 million in cost-saving opportunitiesover the past five years. With more than 30 years of logistics and supply chain experience, she partners with entrepreneurs, startups, and technology companies to pilot new solutions and deliver tangible value to Kenco’s 200+ customers across North America.
Montgomery holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Covenant College and is a Certified Specialist in Design Thinking and Innovation, awarded by the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. She is a skilled facilitator of ideation and design workshops, applying methodologies such as Strategyzer, Lean Startup, and Design Thinking to drive step-level innovation.
Beyond her professional role, Montgomery actively supports the Warehouse Education and Research Council (WERC), the Chattanooga Technology Council, and STEM initiatives. She also contributes her time to nonprofit organizations in her community, reinforcing her dedication to advancing both the industry and society.
About Kenco
Kenco supplies integrated logistics solutions that include distribution, eCommerce fulfillment, comprehensive transportation management and material handling equipment services, and customized supply chain solutions – all designed for Operational Excellence. Kenco continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, building lasting customer relationships for over 70 years. Kenco’s focus is to support customers’ business needs and redefine third-party logistics by offering innovative, connected solutions.