September 14, 2022

Chris Kempczinski

President & CEO / McDonald's Corporation

Chris Kempczinski addressed The Economic Club of Chicago on September 14, in front of a live audience. The conversation, which was moderated by Club Chair, President & CEO of Foot Locker, Inc., Mary Dillon. It was a wide-ranging conversation with a focus on Chicago’s crime and public safety issues. He stressed that a public-private partnership is required for all of us to feel safe in Chicago and McDonald’s desire to be a part of that plan.

While others are leaving, I will tell you McDonald’s is doubling down.

quote icon 71961ea2

Chris Kempczinski on McDonald’s future in Chicago.

Speaker

Chris Kempczinski

President & CEO / McDonald’s Corporation

As President and CEO of McDonald’s, Chris leads the millions of dedicated McFamily members who help create delicious, feel-good moments for everyone. Chris is responsible for driving McDonald’s growth strategy, Accelerating the Arches, and ensuring that the company’s values are embedded throughout the system as the filter through which all our business decisions are made, bringing its corporate purpose–to feed and foster community–to life. Prior to becoming CEO, Chris served as President of McDonald’s USA, leading the business operations of approximately 14,000 McDonald’s restaurants throughout the United States. Chris joined McDonald’s in 2015 as Executive Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Innovation. In this role, he worked closely with our business leaders and franchisees to identify innovative new ideas and best practices to accelerate system growth. Chris has more than 25 years of experience working in premier global consumer companies. He began his career in brand management at Procter & Gamble, and also held senior positions at PepsiCo, and most recently at Kraft Foods where he was EVP, Growth Initiatives and President, International. In addition to serving on the McDonald’s Board of Directors, he is also a trustee of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Outside of McDonald’s, Chris serves on the Board of Directors for Procter & Gamble. Chris is a proud alumnus of both Duke University and Harvard Business School. He lives in Chicago, IL, with his wife and two kids.

Moderator

Mary Dillon

President & CEO / Foot Locker, Inc.

Mary N. Dillon is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Foot Locker, Inc., where she is responsible for overseeing all business operations and development on a day-to-day basis. Mrs. Dillon is also a member of the Foot Locker, Inc. Board of Directors. Prior to joining Foot Locker, Inc., Mrs. Dillon served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Ulta Beauty, Inc., the largest beauty retailer in the United States, from July 2013 through June 2021. From June 2021 through June 2022, Mrs. Dillon served as Executive Chair of the Board of Directors of Ulta Beauty. Prior to joining Ulta, Mary served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of United States Cellular Corporation, a provider of wireless telecommunications services, from 2010 through 2013. Prior to joining US Cellular Corporation, Mrs. Dillon served as Global Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of McDonald’s Corporation from 2005 through 2010, where she led the company’s worldwide marketing efforts and global brand strategy. Prior to joining McDonald’s Corporation, Mrs. Dillon held several positions of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo Corporation, including as President of the Quaker Foods division from 2004 through 2005 and as Vice President of Marketing for Gatorade and Quaker Foods from 2002 through 2004. Mrs. Dillon also currently serves on the Board of Directors of KKR & Co. Inc., a global investment company, and previously served on the Board of Directors of Starbucks Corporation.

EVENTS