Cathy D. Ross

Cathy retired from FedEx in July 2014, where she was executive vice president and chief financial officer for FedEx Express, the largest FedEx operating company and the world’s largest express transportation company. Her responsibilities included all aspects of the company’s worldwide financial affairs, including financial planning, reporting and analysis, revenue and disbursement accounting and control functions, as well as long-range strategic planning. Cathy also oversaw the FedEx Express business systems and sourcing functions. She managed almost 3,000 professionals throughout the U.S., Asia, Europe, Canada and Latin America.

Cathy joined FedEx in 1984 as a senior financial analyst. She is a five-time recipient of the FedEx Express Five Star Award, the company’s top employee honor. In 2005, 2007 and 2009 she also received the FedEx Express CEO Five Star Award in further recognition of her numerous outstanding contributions to the business. During her tenure at FedEx Express, she was involved in the global operations of all major portions of the business including mergers and acquisitions, large capitol deployment, labor contract negotiations and long-range aircraft type decisions.

Prior to joining FedEx, Cathy worked for Kimberly-Clark Corporation as a cost analyst and cost analysis supervisor (1982-1984) and for Buckeye Cellulose Corporation (a subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble) as an accounting supervisor and staff accountant (1978-1982).

Cathy serves on the board of directors of Ball Corporation, the National Civil Rights Museum, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center and on the board of trustees of Christian Brothers University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Delta Sigma Pi Professional Fraternity.

Cathy holds an accounting degree from Christian Brothers University and an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis. She was honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Memphis and the Women of Excellence Award from the Memphis Tri-State Defender. In addition, she was named among the “25 Rising Women of Finance” by JPMorgan Chase/Treasury & Risk Management, the “50 Most Powerful Black Women in Business” by Black Enterprise, and “CFO Thought Leader” by Booz Allen.