Ramona has over 28 years of public service experience. She currently serves as the Public Works Director for the city of Shaker Heights, the first African American to hold this position.

In her executive leadership position with Shaker, she manages City property and infrastructure, strategic planning, as well as processes and procedures implementation for all units.

Prior to joining Shaker, Ramona served in various roles: Commissioner for Water Pollution Control (WPC), Manager of Operations & Maintenance for the Sewer District, Sewer Superintendent/Project Manager for the City of Shaker (first female to serve in this role) and a hydraulic engineer at Cleveland Water. Ramona started her career at WPC as the first female and first Black Engineer.

Ramona’s goal has been to leave each organization better than when she arrived by focusing on teamwork, saving money without sacrificing service and by improving overall efficiency.

Having a passion for helping youth succeed, Ramona serves as the Advisor for NSBE JR, board trustee for the Shaker Schools Foundation and the ACE mentor program.

Ramona has received numerous awards, including the NAACP Unsung Hero award. She was featured as one of the most notable Black Leaders in the Cleveland Business Crain. She was featured in the Phenomenal Woman magazine and three times in the Who’s Who in Black Cleveland, as an Emerging Leader, a guiding light preparing the Next Generation of Engineers and again as Most Influential.

Ramona is the proud wife of Mark Ferrell and mother of two, Kayla and Kevin.