From Entry-Level to CEO: Ramona Hood Recap

Kayla Polansky

Ramona Hood, CEO and President of FedEx Custom Critical, proved that no feat is ever too large as she told her inspiring and insightful career journey to members of PRSSA Kent.

Hood began as an entry-level employee at FedEx Custom Critical. She wanted a job with consistent hours and reliable employment as a 19-year-old single mother raising her daughter. She began to notice, however, after a few years of employment, that professional growth in this company was possible through hard work. 

“A lot of the leaders had taken notice of me because I was a person interested in learning more than what my job was,” she said, “I began to cross-train and support when there was a need for that.”

Hood proved herself in her mentorship and leadership skills throughout the years and eventually took her role as President and CEO at the end of 2019.

Creating lasting relationships and connections can help professionals and students build networking skills. Hood stated that sometimes a small network could be just as powerful as a big one. 

“It's about quality, not quantity,” she said. “You don't need to have this large network, but it's really about how you can help that person and how they can help you.”

With networking also comes advocacy, especially for a young professional. Hood spoke about the need to go after what you want, even when times can feel uncomfortable. 

“The way that you advocate for yourself is really understanding how to stretch yourself and how to share the talent you have,” she said. “Your ability to have your brand out there requires you to share what you're doing and also what you want to do with others.”

Hood inspired a go-getter attitude in our filled First Energy lecture hall that night and motivated students to realize that no dream is ever too big to accomplish.
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Hood sparked the go-getter sensation in our fully filled First Energy lecture hall that night and inspired students that no dream is ever too big to accomplish.