Ramona Hood, CEO and president of FedEx Custom Critical, shared her myriad of experiences with the company, as well as her insight and advice in the field Tuesday night.

“There’s a piece of being kind to yourself and realizing if you’re willing to learn and you’re willing to grow, you can do the job,” Hood said. “There is the ability of taking on jobs and then being willing to learn.”

Hood was a part of Public Relations Student Society of America, Kent State’s public relations organization, Black History Month celebration that took place in FirstEnergy Interactive Auditorium in Franklin Hall. There were 71 attendees in person and five attended virtually, PRSSA said.

For about the first 30 minutes of the event, PRSSA student leaders Chania Crawford, co-chair of diversity, equity and inclusion, and Maddie Goerl, vice president of professional relations, moderated a discussion with Hood regarding diversity, workplace advocacy, networking skills and negotiation tactics, among other subjects.

For the latter half of the event, the floor was opened to audience members to ask Hood questions and seek further advice.

Hood started with FedEx Custom Critical and the roles the branch plays nationwide.

FedEx Custom Critical assists in transporting packages that need an expedited delivery or have high-security clearance, such as government or healthcare related items, Hood said.

Hood, an Akron native, understands the importance of the community and with FedEx Custom Critical concentrated in Green, Ohio, she said she wants to be involved with local groups and nonprofits.

“[FedEx Custom Critical] believe in giving to the communities that we work and live in,” Hood said in an interview after the event.

Hood discussed her journey through FedEx that began in 1990 when she was 19, as a receptionist.

Throughout Hood’s career with FedEx, she was determined to work her way up and learn more by “getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.” This was especially true when she took on a role in the sales department, where she had little interest in pursuing such a role, she said.

Several groups have supported Hood throughout her career at FedEx: her family highlighted by her two daughters, a group of close friends that has acted as “cheerleaders” throughout all the highs and lows and the formal board of directors that includes a variety of coaches, mentors and sponsors, Hood said in an interview after the event.

Hood said her ability to get to her position and being able to communicate with others has partly come from her authenticity as a person.

“Who I am on Saturday and Sunday, looks like who I am Monday through Friday,” Hood said. “So meet me once and if you see me again six months from then, you see the same person.”

Not only is Hood the CEO and president of FedEx Custom Critical, she accomplished being the first Black female to fulfill these roles.

Hood said she provides and strives toward a diverse culture within her responsibilities as CEO and president, along with the environment at FedEx Custom Critical.

“I think diversity is critical in making business decisions,” Hood said. “At the end of the day, a diverse thought process will allow you to think about things that maybe you individually would have blind spots to.”

Kayla Polansky, president of PRSSA, said, “[the event] showcased our diversity and our drive to get people that are so high up, as a CEO.”

Polansky said new faces were in the audience that made up a diverse crowd all in attendance to see “a woman of color” in a CEO position.

Moving forward, PRSSA intends to host events like the one featuring Hood, Polansky said.

“I will open a door that allows many others to come through it afterwards,” Hood said.

Anthony Zacharyasz is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].

Noah Rowe is a TV2 reporter. Contact him at [email protected].