Chae Eun-mi, managing director of FedEx Korea, took office seven years ago as the first female CEO in the male-dominated logistics industry. She is still the only one.

But she said there has been some progress in female leadership in Korea in recent years, including last year’s election of the country’s first female president.

“I used to receive speech inquiries mostly from my alma mater, Ewha Womans University. But more recently local conglomerates have asked me to lecture on female leadership,” Chae said in a recent interview with The Korea Herald.

“I think a growing number of companies have started feeling the need to communicate better with female leaders and learn from it.”

Even though the term “female leadership” has become a cliche now, she said, it will take more time for real changes to occur for working women in Korea.

“More females are climbing up to managing positions these days. But it is still a transition period,” she said.

“In the past female leaders were sometimes intimidated by tough male staff. But now they are well prepared and more importantly have a stronger sense of responsibility.”

Chae, saying diligence and passion define her, puts more emphasis on communicating directly with all the employees at the Korean unit’s 14 regional offices nationwide.

“I remember all their names, trying to take care of their individual situations. I believe that’s something that female leaders can do better than their male counterparts,” she said.

Even within the 40-year-old Memphis, Tennessee-based FedEx, she is the only female executive who solely oversees a regional branch.

Chae’s leadership may best represent FedEx’s corporate philosophy, “People-Service-Profit,” which means satisfied workers produce enhanced services that in turn will increase company profits.

FedEx Korea guarantees open communication, fair opportunities and great welfare benefits. The turnover rate at the Korean unit is less than 3 percent, a similar level to favored workplaces such as state-run companies.

“I would not reveal specific figures. But I can say both our inbound and outbound sales have continued to grow despite the negative market situations,” she said.

Last year when the European financial crisis and currency effects hit the logistics industry hard, the Korean unit was one of the few regional offices of FedEx that hired more employees, including college graduates from provincial schools.

The efforts of her Korean staff have been recognized by the head office. The Korean unit earned the Five Star Award, the highest honor on service and profitability enhancement at FedEx, three times in 2001, 2003 and 2008.

Chae was also honored last year with the Asia-Pacific President’s Award.

As the company’s fiscal year ends in May, the Korean unit is also finalizing its goal for the next year.

“There are few positive signs this year as well,” she said.

China’s economic growth has slowed, while the cheaper Japanese yen would boost the Korean unit’s Japanese rivals. The enhanced provocations from North Korea are another factor.

“Regardless of the negative business environment, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to continue to grow. Especially, Korea is still considered a growing market,” she said, adding that the K-pop sensation in Asia and recent free trade pacts with the U.S. and EU are offering more business opportunities.

“The head office has high expectations of FedEx Korea and me. I feel pressure but the pressure also encourages me a lot.”

Chae started her career at Korean Air and Flying Tigers, where she became the youngest division manager at 28. When FedEx acquired Flying Tigers in 1991, she joined the U.S. company to serve as a customer service manager.

After serving in several other managerial positions, Chae became the first national representative of FedEx Korea in 2006.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)