Carol B. Tomé, CEO at UPS: A True Logistics Trailblazer

Carol B. Tomé is no stranger to breaking through barriers.

When she became CEO of UPS in 2020, she made history as the company’s first external hire for the role and its first female CEO. More significantly, she was also the first woman to lead a major logistics and transportation company.

A highly-regarded leader in the supply chain sector, Carol continues to drive change and innovation, with a focus on improving the experiences of both employees and customers.

Ranked No.1 in Supply Chain Digital’s latest Top 100 Supply Chain Leaders list, she remains committed to transforming UPS into a people-focused, customer-first organisation.

A career defined by leadership

Carol’s journey began in the financial sector as a Commercial Lender at United Bank of Denver, which later became part of Wells Fargo. She went on to hold leadership roles at Johns Manville Corporation and Riverwood International Corporation before making a career-defining move to The Home Depot in 1995.

Initially joining as VP and Treasurer, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming SVP Finance and Treasurer before taking on the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2001.

During her 18-year tenure as CFO, Carol worked under every CEO in The Home Depot’s history, including founders Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, both of whom she credits as key mentors. Under her financial leadership, the company strengthened its position as one of the world’s largest retailers.

After 24 years, Carol decided to retire in 2019.

“I was at peace,” she told SaportaReport in 2021. “This is going to be great. I’m going to do corporate boards, my foundation, my family office, the farm and spend more time with my family and friends.”

However, she soon realised retirement wasn’t for her. "Bored" and eager for a new challenge, she was drawn back into the corporate world. By March 2020, she had been named the 12th CEO of UPS, stepping into a role she describes as a perfect fit.

Arthur Blank praised her leadership skills at the time, stating: “Carol is a thoughtful leader with uncommon financial acumen and a keen understanding of how important a thriving culture is to the success of a large business. I know she’ll be an outstanding leader for this great company, just as she was for so many years at The Home Depot.”

Navigating challenges at UPS

Taking charge of a global logistics giant in the midst of a pandemic was no small task. When Carol assumed leadership at UPS, she faced immediate challenges, but her ability to lead under pressure quickly became evident.

“I thought I’d be travelling the world meeting people, visiting our facilities, shaking hands and meeting customers,” she reflected in her SaportaReport interview. “We’ve got lots of challenges here, but they’re fun to work on. We’re making some really good progress.”

Carol introduced a new strategy at UPS, focusing on being “better, not bigger.” Her leadership has seen the company prioritise efficiency, customer service and sustainability.

Key initiatives include establishing internal review boards, divesting non-core assets, enhancing same-day delivery and strengthening commitments to DE&I.

Under her leadership, UPS has also increased investment in employee development and community engagement, reinforcing its reputation as a people-centric organisation.

Inspiring future leaders

Carol is one of 52 female CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies today and she remains committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Speaking on the How Leaders Lead with David Novak podcast in 2024, she shared her approach to leadership development: “For my executive leadership team, I have defined development plans for each of them and we meet frequently to measure progress. Those are harder plans to put together than operating plans – it’s much easier to talk about the numbers.”

“I spend most of my time on people development. Everyone gets motivated by different things and you’ve really got to understand that so you can invest in them and help them reach their highest potential.

“I believe leadership development is personal. If your boss takes a personal interest in you, then you’re going to grow differently.”

To view the Top 100 Supply Leaders list in full, click here. 

Explore the latest edition of Supply Chain Digital and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today. 

Supply Chain Digital is a BizClik brand.