Celebrating Pride Month: Terry Kistler Helps To Build an Inclusive Environment at Work and in the Community

After beginning his career in the restaurant industry, where he served as a restaurant manager for more than 15 years, Terry Kistler made the move to banking and financial services while living in Florida.

Following his time in the Sunshine State, he moved back north to a different shore, landing at WSFS Bank in Lewes, Del.

“I started with WSFS as a Personal Banker before moving up to Assistant Branch Manager, then Retail Office Manager III for the Rehoboth Beach banking location, and now serve as a Vice President in Retail Banking,” Kistler said. “I’m currently in rotation in Retail Sales Strategy and will be celebrating 10 years with WSFS in June during Pride Month!”

The Importance of Community

While he has changed industries and locations during his career, Kistler has remained committed to serving the communities in which he has worked and lived in order to make them more inclusive.

“About seven years ago, I was asked to join a small group to help start a nonprofit promoting camaraderie and inclusivity called the Rehoboth Beach Bears,” he said. “I served as the Treasurer for four years and President of the Board for three years.”

Through the Beach Bears, Kistler expanded his support of the community through a variety of organizations and initiatives in the area.

“The organization continued to grow each year and we wanted to give back to the community,” he said. “After the first year, we established a scholarship fund for the Cape Henlopen High School Gay Straight Alliance, and in the past six years we have awarded $1,000 scholarships to 15 students. We also donated to the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, which works to build a positive environment that is inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities, along with other nonprofits in the area.”

“I have also served on the Board of Directors for The Rehoboth Beach Film Society and currently serve on the Board of Directors for Rehoboth Beach Main Street.”

Kistler also supports the community by working with WSFS to sponsor inclusive events and programs, and is currently teaming up with his fellow Associates and WSFS’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Group on educational and informative communications about Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community.

Words to Live By

Throughout his life, Kistler has learned a few key tenets to live by when it comes to life and work:

Self-care. “Be true to yourself. Remember, there is only one you and it is important to love who you are.”

Teamwork makes the dream work. “As cheesy as it may sound, I have always been a strong believer in the saying, ‘there is no ‘I’ in team.’ We accomplish more when we work together and we all win.”

Equality. “Love is love, and it is important to treat everyone with dignity and respect.”