Executive Summary:

FedEx has appointed Karen Blanks Ellis as its new Chief Sustainability Officer, succeeding Mitch Jackson, who will retire on June 30. Ellis brings extensive experience in environmental management, aiming to advance FedEx’s sustainability goals, including achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040.

Key Impact Points:

• Leadership Transition: Karen Blanks Ellis steps in as the new Chief Sustainability Officer, succeeding Mitch Jackson.
• Sustainability Goals: Ellis will lead FedEx’s efforts towards carbon-neutral global operations by 2040.
• Expertise and Experience: Ellis brings a strong background in environmental management, engineering, and regulatory compliance.

FedEx Corp. has announced the appointment of Karen Blanks Ellis as the new Chief Sustainability Officer, effective July 1, 2024. This follows the retirement of Mitch Jackson on June 30, after a distinguished 39-year career at FedEx.

“In every role I have held at FedEx, I’ve been proud to work for such a forward-thinking and respected corporate actor in sustainability. Now as Chief Sustainability Officer, I will have the honor of taking this work forward in the company’s next chapter,” said Ellis. “I am excited to build upon Mitch’s decades of leadership and advance the sustainability strategy across our global network—particularly as we continue to work toward our goal of carbon-neutral global operations by 2040.”

Ellis joins the role at a critical juncture for FedEx, amid growing global interest in corporate sustainability. Her extensive experience spans business, engineering, and regulatory aspects of environmental management. She aims to leverage this expertise to navigate the challenges and opportunities in building a more sustainable logistics network.

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Ellis has been with FedEx since 1997, serving in various roles related to environmental compliance, planning, and engineering. Before joining FedEx, she held engineering positions at Cummins Engine Company and Proctor & Gamble. Additionally, she serves on the Board of the International Aviation Women’s Association and is the former chair of the Airlines for America Environmental Sustainability Council.