Karen Jones

Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Karen Jones is executive vice president, chief marketing officer (CMO), and head of new product development for Ryder System, Inc., a leading supply chain, dedicated transportation, and commercial fleet management solutions company, and a member of Ryder’s Executive Leadership Team. As CMO, she is responsible for integrating the management of all marketing and brand-related activities across Ryder to drive growth and enhance brand value. As part of her product development role, Karen leads the creation of new product innovations and RyderVentures for Ryder’s three business segments, generating revenue and better customer experiences.

Prior to joining Ryder, Karen was CMO for NRG/Reliant Energy, Inc., where she was responsible for launching the company’s new corporate brand in 2010. Prior to that, she served as senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications for DHL Express in the United States. Her marketing efforts at DHL resulted in the largest awareness increases in the company’s history and within the logistics category, which were considered a major contributor to the advancement of DHL’s recognition in the “Top 100 Most Valuable Brands” by BrandZ. Prior to DHL, Karen served in positions responsible for worldwide brand advertising, sponsorship, strategic alliances, and product marketing for Hewlett Packard and Compaq Computer Corporation.

She was named among the “Pros to Know 2021” by Supply & Demand Chain Executive; “among the Influential Business Women of 2019” by South Florida Business Journal; “CMO of the Year” by South Florida Business & Wealth magazine in 2017; “among the Most Powerful & Influential Women in Business” by the National Diversity Council in 2014; “Marketer of the Year” by BtoB magazine in 2005; and was ranked in the annual “Best Issue” by BtoB magazine from 2006 to 2008. Karen serves on the executive boards of Jackson Memorial Health Foundation and Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library Foundation.

Karen holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Houston.

Prior to joining Ryder, Ms. Jones was CMO for NRG/Reliant Energy, Inc., where she was responsible for launching the company’s new corporate brand in 2010. Prior to that, she served as senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications for DHL Express in the United States. Her marketing efforts at DHL resulted in the largest awareness increases in the company’s history and within the logistics category, which were considered a major contributor to the advancement of DHL’s recognition in the “Top 100 Most Valuable Brands” by BrandZ. Prior to DHL, Ms. Jones served in positions responsible for worldwide brand advertising, sponsorship, strategic alliances, and product marketing for Hewlett Packard and Compaq Computer Corporation.

Ms. Jones’ achievements have earned her multiple awards and recognitions during her career including being named a recipient of Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s “Women in Supply Chain” award in 2022 honoring female supply chain leaders whose accomplishments, mentorship, and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network. Ms. Jones serves on the executive board of trustees for Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) and the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library Foundation.

Ms. Jones holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Houston.