De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has named Economics and Finance graduate Ivy Mwaura ‘Alumna of the Month’ for her award-winning work in transport and logistics.
The 26-year-old was named as the winner of the Infrastructure: Above and Beyond award at the 2020 Amazon Everywoman in Transport and Logistics awards, which celebrate exceptional individuals in the sector.
Ivy, who works as a Strategic Marketing Analyst at FedEx, said: “I was so surprised! Just to see so many people in the workplace recognise me for the work that I’ve done, it was really touching.”
She was nominated for her contributions to a project that yielded in excess of 30 million pounds of revenue through analytics and data science and commended for the lengths she went to understand the role. Ivy played a pivotal role in improving processes and procedures across three central hubs and more than 50 depots.
She said: “I really wanted to see everything first hand, I spent a lot of time in the hubs and depots to understand the operational processes. Spending time with the loading bay operatives and days out with pickup and delivery drivers helped me to fully understand the costs and the journey, all the way to us actually delivering the parcels.”
Ivy at the virtual award ceremony
The judges also noted Ivy’s commitment to volunteering outside of her role. Ivy takes part in the DMU economics alumni sessions to give career advice to current economics students.
“I love that FedEx give me opportunities to go out and give back. I am a One Young World ambassador, which recognises young leaders and works to align our organisation with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.
“I’m also a member of the FedEx UK Women’s Inclusive Network, to champion women in this industry which is quite male dominated. It’s a chance for me to share insight of my career so far and inspire others.”
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Ivy became interested in the industry during her successful placement year as a project coordinator at TNT Express, and landed a permanent role with the company before graduating with a First in 2016.
She said: “I was really lucky to get an analytical role after uni. I started two days before results day!”
In 2019 Ivy moved over to her current role at FedEx where she works on international opportunities, where she feels ‘valued as an employee’.
“They really listen to my ideas, you’re not just there to sit and do nothing. i have had the opportunity to work on a number of projects that have widened my understanding of FedEx capabilities across the globe - I really like that about my role,” she said.
“There’s a lot more in the transport and logistics industry than people see. At FedEx you can be a meteorologist, you can be a pilot, the opportunities are endless.”
Ivy, who grew up in East London fell in love with DMU when she visited during an Open Day.
“The Hugh Aston Building was brand new and I loved the feel of the campus as well. I was very wowed by it! And the location was perfect because it was not too far away from home,” she said.
“What really appealed to me was the placement year, and how the modules were very practical. It had a bit of everything – maths, risk management, statistics, econometrics – which were all topics that I had considered studying, so it was an all-rounder.”
Ivy remembers the daunting process of applying for her placement, which is why she regularly returns to DMU to talk to current students about the process and the range of opportunities.
She said: “I was so determined to get a placement, and the placement office were absolutely amazing. They were so instrumental. I didn’t know what a cover letter was, I only had a very basic CV, so they helped to shape my interview skills– there were so many things that they taught me.
“They invited some placement students who came back to talk to us about the whole placement process, and I remember thinking ‘if I ever get the chance to do this I 100 per cent will.’
Stay in touch with the DMU alumni community on the Global Alumni Community Hub.
Posted on Thursday 26 November 2020