This fall, the Ford School welcomed Penny Naas (MPP ‘93) as the newest member of the talented and distinguished Ford School Committee. Committee members include Ford School and U-M alumni, leaders in the realm of politics and policy, parents of Ford School alumni, and friends and family of President Gerald R. Ford. They serve as school ambassadors, build valuable new connections to policymakers and policymaking arenas, provide leadership in fundraising, and advise the Dean on potential new initiatives that further the school’s education, research, and service objectives.
“I’m thrilled that Penny will be joining our committee,” Ford School Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes said. “She has been an incredibly engaged member of our community. As a Committee member, her expertise on international trade and sustainability will be invaluable to advance the school’s mission.”
Naas is the president of International Public Affairs and Sustainability at the United Parcel Service (UPS). She began her UPS career in May 2012, managing the Public Affairs team for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region, where she enhanced governmental understanding of UPS and the issues impacting the logistics industry. In 2014, Naas was also asked to oversee sustainability in Europe, and has worked to advance internal and external appreciation of the importance of sustainability for UPS. She then served as UPS Vice President and District Manager for International Public Affairs and Sustainability from January 2015 until early 2020.
Naas worked for Citigroup in the Global Government Affairs team from 2006-2012. She moved to Europe in 2007 and opened Citigroup’s first government affairs office in Brussels, Belgium, where she oversaw the various legislative and regulatory issues that arose after the 2008 financial crisis. Naas started her career at the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), where she worked for 13 years in various roles covering international trade and commercial issues. Her roles included leading the Office of Europe and creating strategies to help US companies facing market access challenges in Europe, as well as working in both the Clinton and Bush White House on task forces to pass trade deals.
She co-chairs the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Trade and Investment. She is a former board member of the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU and the University of Michigan Alumni Board, the American European Community Association and the Fulbright Commission for Belgium and Luxembourg. She is active in UPS’ Women’s Leadership Development program.
Founded in 1991 to promote and increase private support for the Ford School's students, research, and policy engagement, the Committee for the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy comprises leaders from the public and private sectors with an interest in public policy and higher education.