Cathy Ross (’78)

Cathy Ross graduated with a BS in Accounting in 1978 and went on benefit several major corporations with the skills she learned at CBU and has also been widely recognized for her business prowess. She has also used her experience, her knowledge, and her “Respect for All Persons” to help others as a mentor and supporter.

Cathy retired from FedEx Express in 2014 after a 30-year career there. She joined the company as a senior financial analyst, and she held numerous other leadership roles of increasing responsibility during her tenure — including Vice President of Financial Planning, Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer. In recognition of her contributions, she received the company’s highest honors which are the FedEx Express Five Star Award five times and the CEO Five Star Award three times. Prior to joining FedEx, after her graduation from CBU and earning an MBA at the University of Memphis, Cathy worked for Kimberly-Clark Corporation as a cost analyst and a cost analyst supervisor from 1982 until 1984.

In her retirement, Cathy serves on numerous boards of directors in both the corporate and non-profit realms. Ms. Ross’ leadership roles, financial expertise, and experience, as well as service on global public company boards have led to honors such as the Black Enterprise “Woman of Power Legacy Award” and the Memphis Tri-State Defender “Women of Excellence Award.” She was inducted into the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business Hall of Fame and was named one of the 25 Rising Women of Finance by JPMorgan Chase/Treasury and Risk Management.

Cathy has endowed a scholarship in the Christian Brothers University School of Business and has freely given of her time as a volunteer mentor to CBU students. She has served on the CBU Board of Trustees since 2017 and currently serves as Secretary of the Board. Cathy has also served as a board member for the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis, the Memphis Food Bank, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Child Advocacy Center.