Ramona Williams
Nominee Profile
Location: Milton Keynes
Ramona Williams, works as a DEI Change Manager for Amazon Logistics, and drives the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy for UK and Ireland. Simultaneously, as President of the Black Employee Network (BEN) UK Operations Employee Resource Group, she and her board team provide resources for Black employees and Allies.
Boasting 14 years in HR and a Human Resource Management degree, Ramona’s experience spans Leisure, Retail, and Banking industries. Her journey with Amazon commenced in 2016 as an HR Advisor, progressing to Senior HR roles, before moving to specialise in DEI in 2021. Fearless in her approach, her life motto—’What’s the worst that can happen? They can only say ‘no”— exemplifies her boundary-pushing spirit, positioning her as a catalyst for transformative change.
In the past 4 years, through her work with BEN, Ramona has recognised inspiring leaders and Allies who have had a profound impact on the Black community, through her annual 'That's BENtastic!' Awards campaign. In 2022, she pioneered BEN reverse-mentoring, whereby junior Black leaders mentor senior leaders across the companies EU operations. The pairs explore the Black employee working experience, in order to strengthen the inclusive culture for this group. More recently, she co-launched BEN Women, which brings together Black women in leadership, to form a intersectional sisterhood that support each other to continue to grow, develop and succeed.
In her own words, Ramona states, "I work as a partner to my business, instigating shifts in how we think, teach, and deliver cultural change. It’s an innovative workspace, where I advocate for underrepresented and underserved communities, developing initiatives that heighten awareness and address their needs. I coach leaders, challenging them to disrupt status quo. My nature is to lead change – and I love that my workplace encourages me to chart my own path and enhance our DEI approach for the better."
Boasting 14 years in HR and a Human Resource Management degree, Ramona’s experience spans Leisure, Retail, and Banking industries. Her journey with Amazon commenced in 2016 as an HR Advisor, progressing to Senior HR roles, before moving to specialise in DEI in 2021. Fearless in her approach, her life motto—’What’s the worst that can happen? They can only say ‘no”— exemplifies her boundary-pushing spirit, positioning her as a catalyst for transformative change.
In the past 4 years, through her work with BEN, Ramona has recognised inspiring leaders and Allies who have had a profound impact on the Black community, through her annual 'That's BENtastic!' Awards campaign. In 2022, she pioneered BEN reverse-mentoring, whereby junior Black leaders mentor senior leaders across the companies EU operations. The pairs explore the Black employee working experience, in order to strengthen the inclusive culture for this group. More recently, she co-launched BEN Women, which brings together Black women in leadership, to form a intersectional sisterhood that support each other to continue to grow, develop and succeed.
In her own words, Ramona states, "I work as a partner to my business, instigating shifts in how we think, teach, and deliver cultural change. It’s an innovative workspace, where I advocate for underrepresented and underserved communities, developing initiatives that heighten awareness and address their needs. I coach leaders, challenging them to disrupt status quo. My nature is to lead change – and I love that my workplace encourages me to chart my own path and enhance our DEI approach for the better."