The Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center of The Conference Board, awarded Raj Subramaniam G’89, president and chief executive of FedEx, with a 2024 CED Distinguished Leadership Award for Business Stewardship and Corporate Citizenship. The ceremony took place on October 9, 2024 in New York City.
The CED Distinguished Leadership Awards honor leaders who demonstrate a strong commitment to corporate citizenship, business stewardship, and advancing public policy in the nation’s interests.
The 2024 awards pay special tribute to business leaders and their companies that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in challenging times, including advancing equal opportunity during a time of national economic uncertainty, building a more civil and just society, and upholding a rules-based international order.
“The US continues to face economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This year’s distinguished honorees have demonstrated steadfast, innovative leadership amid these transformational times, working tirelessly to advance policies and practices that benefit our nation’s well-being,” says Lori Esposito Murray, former president of CED. “They embody the best of business stewardship and corporate responsibility, and truly epitomize CED’s vision of integrity in business leadership. By recognizing these exemplary leaders and companies, CED aims to inspire other leaders across the public and private sectors to follow in their footsteps.”
“Raj is a visionary leader on an international scale,” says J. Cole Smith, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “He has been at the forefront of transformational change and next-generation problem solving. It is wonderful to see him recognized with such a prestigious award.”
Subramaniam is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of FedEx Corporation. Over the last 50 years, FedEx has built a well-connected network linking 220 countries and territories around the world. FedEx was also responsible for delivering the COVID-19 vaccine around the world.
With more than 30 years of industry experience at FedEx, one of the world’s largest transportation companies, Subramaniam’s forward-thinking, innovative ways have helped revolutionize the transportation and logistics industry.
Subramaniam earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Syracuse University in 1989.
The other recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards for Business Stewardship and Corporate Citizenship were:
- Nikesh Arora, CEO and Chairman, Palo Alto Networks
- Jenny Johnson, President and CEO, Franklin Templeton
- Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners
- Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture
- Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO, Chobani, and Founder, Tent Partnership for Refugees