McDonald’s is not just a workplace—it’s a community. Employee Natasha Brown discovered this when she received excellent support after becoming an unconventional first-time mom.
A long and varied marketing career
Natasha is a marketing professional who has worked in a number of roles at McDonald’s for several years. She started out in US marketing, working on the national launch of the Dollar Menu.
Later, Natasha moved on to US Menu, where she first worked on a cross-functional team, including food scientists, culinary, supply chain and operations. She then went global – traveling the world with a stint in global marketing which culminated in her current role as a Director in Global Menu Strategy.
Adopting a baby and journeying into motherhood
Natasha decided she was going to adopt a baby, but rather than going through a lengthy wait, she found that soon after she completed the training, a baby was matched to her - a baby that was a week old. This meant she would become a parent in just 15 days' time.
“I immediately thought to myself, I need to talk with my team, especially my new boss, Amy, who was so supportive,” Natasha recalls. Then it was time to prep. In only 15 days, Natasha had to prepare her life for a new baby - which is something most people have nine months to do.
She found her network of McDonald's colleagues turned out in force to help her. “My decision to adopt a child wasn’t only accepted at McDonald’s, but it was encouraged and supported,” she says. “There was this network of moms who gave me advice and helped with preparation. There were also other adoptive parents who were thrilled for me and giving me their specific perspectives.”
Natasha also shared her news with her boyfriend of just three months - Anthony. She thought: “I’ve only been dating this guy for a minute, and overnight I’m becoming a mom. So no fault or surprise if he considered this more than he bargained for. ”
The 15 days flew by, and Natasha was soon face-to-face with her daughter, whom she named Avery. Six months later, Anthony proposed to Natasha and they married shortly after.
Diversity of experience enriches the workplace
Natasha is eager to share her story because she believes diversity of experience makes for a better workplace.
McDonald’s is a place for talent of every type. And for that talent to perform, they need to be able to bring their whole selves to work. This means creating a space that is inclusive for every type of choice and life circumstance.
“The people I am lucky to call colleagues were essential to my experience, and McDonald’s was hugely supportive as a corporation. They even have a credit benefit you can use towards adoption expenses,” says Natasha. “You have to step back and realize that it’s wonderful when you find a place that supports and even helps you make life choices – rather than hinders.”
Supporting a positive narrative and celebrating differences
Natasha wants to focus on the positive narrative around adoption, and elevate the beauty of the differences in how families are made.
“I want the narrative surrounding how I became a mom to help other people who are choosing or considering adoption to know that they have a network here that will support them,” Natasha says.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the support I’ve received from the network of people that I’ve been lucky to know at McDonald’s. They’ve shown me the good that can come from being yourself and being open – and I want to pay that forward."
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.