“Behnam and Lynda exemplify the best of our industry - visionary, committed, and generous with their talents,” said Tony Fragnito, President & CEO at INDA. “It’s a privilege to recognize their continuing impact and celebrate their contributions with the community they helped shape.”

“It was my pleasure to honor Behnam and Lynda for their outstanding dedication and significant contributions,” said Matt O’Sickey, PhD, Director of Education & Technical Affairs at INDA. “Their steadfast commitment and passionate advocacy continue to influence and drive progress in the nonwovens industry.”

Behnam Pourdeyhimi, PhD: IDEA® Lifetime Achievement Award

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award. My journey has always been about pushing the boundaries of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration in nonwovens. I’m grateful for the extraordinary colleagues, students, and industry partners who’ve shared this path and whose contributions have been essential to my achievements that are being recognized today.”

Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi began his academic career at NC State University after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He went on to serve at Cornell University, the University of Maryland, and Georgia Tech before returning to NC State in the 1998–1999 academic year.

He currently serves as the William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor of Materials in the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State University, where he also holds appointments as Associate Dean at the Wilson College of Textiles and as an affiliated professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He is the Executive Director of The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), the globally recognized center for research, education, and innovation in engineered fabrics.

Early in his career, Dr. Pourdeyhimi focused on developing tools to characterize a wide range of materials - including nonwovens, medical devices, and composites. For this work, he received the ASTM D13 DeWitt Smith Medal. His pioneering research in image analysis earned him the Fiber Society’s Distinguished Scientist Award in 1994, followed by selection as the Fiber Society Lecturer, a role in which he presented his research widely to both academic and industry audiences. He also served as Vice President and President of the Fiber Society.

Dr. Pourdeyhimi is widely recognized for his pivotal role in advancing the nonwovens field at NC State. His return to NC State was driven in part by the opportunity to join the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC), which, under his leadership, evolved into The Nonwovens Institute (NWI). Today, NWI is the largest university-based research institute of its kind in the United States and the world’s first accredited academic program dedicated to engineered fabrics. Through its “Open Innovation” model, NWI brings together industry leaders and academic researchers to develop next-generation nonwoven technologies and train the sector’s future talent.

His contributions to filtration research earned him the prestigious O. Max Gardner Award in 2015 - the highest honor in the University of North Carolina system - and the Holladay Medal for Excellence in 2018, NC State’s highest faculty distinction. In 2020, he was inducted as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

Dr. Pourdeyhimi has authored more than 600 research publications and three books, delivered over 250 conference presentations, and holds 30 U.S. and 65 international patents. Many of his former students now hold influential positions across academia and industry.

Lynda Kelly: INDA Lifetime Service Award

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the INDA Lifetime Service Award. Growing up in this amazing industry has been a remarkable journey, working alongside so many incredible colleagues across the globe to develop and sell unique nonwoven product solutions and technologies. As an industry, we have achieved so much over the decades, and I am proud to have been part of its evolution. It has truly been an incredible experience!

Lynda Kelly served as Senior Vice President, Americas & Business Development for Suominen Corporation until her retirement in 2023 due to health challenges. During nearly a decade with the company, she led the Care team before transitioning to oversee the Americas sales organization, working closely with global product and business development professionals. Under her leadership, Suominen expanded its sales, market presence, drove innovation, and achieved enhanced profitability.

Lynda began her career at Kendall, which later became part of International Paper/Veratec and eventually BBA Nonwovens. She held key sales and marketing roles across a range of sectors, advancing into leadership positions. An early-career expatriate assignment in Toronto gave her firsthand experience with the emerging spunmelt nonwovens market, shaping her future direction in the industry.

In addition to her time at Suominen, Lynda brought deep expertise to the field during her 11 years at First Quality Nonwovens, where she was instrumental in expanding spunmelt offerings for the medical sector. She also developed a strong consulting acumen during her two years with John Starr.

A long-standing supporter of INDA initiatives, Lynda has made lasting contributions to the nonwovens industry. She played a vital role on INDA’s AAMI medical disposable standards committee, influencing the development of critical industry guidelines. From 2019 to 2022, she served on INDA’s Board of Directors, helping guide the organization through the challenges of the pandemic and championing greater collaboration across the industry. At Suominen, she also spearheaded community-minded wellness events like “Run or Walk with Suominen,” blending industry engagement, health, fun, and community.

Lynda’s passion for nonwovens extended well beyond her professional achievements. Known for her curiosity and enthusiasm, she often drew inspiration from everyday encounters - examining products in hospitals or clinics and turning observations into innovation implemented within her teams. Her drive to learn, connect, and improve was a hallmark of her leadership.

Above all, Lynda values the relationships that defined her career. She believes the most meaningful aspect of her journey has been the people - colleagues, mentors, and friends - who have enriched it. For her, the true heart of the nonwovens industry lies in its people, the connections, and partnerships that make it thrive.

IDEA®25 and FiltXPO™ 2025 were held April 29–May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

The next edition of FiltXPO™ will take place October 28–29, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. IDEA®27 is scheduled for March 23–25, 2027, at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri.