In a statement published on the International Women's Day website, Reginald Miller, Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at McDonald's, discusses speaking up and choosing to challenge accepted practices.
"McDonald’s values are centered around the value of integrity – above all, we do the right thing. That includes speaking up and choosing to challenge accepted practices by advocating for women," says Reginald (Reggie).
"No matter where you are in the world when you interact with McDonald’s – through the app, in restaurant, watching a commercial, working in an office setting or as a crew member – inclusivity and equity are as evident and familiar as the Arches."
Better representing diverse communities
Reginald explains that this commitment is the foundation of McDonald's global DEI ambition. The work will continue to evolve under the principles of our broader diversity strategy, which sets out how McDonald's will better represent the diverse communities in which it operates, accelerate cultures of inclusion and belonging, and dismantle barriers to economic opportunity.
"Congruent with #ChoosetoChallenge, McDonald’s now offers “Speak Up” training to all corporate staff in markets around the world. Our hope is that everyone who works under the Arches shows up each day to a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace – one that empowers and inspires them, provides access to continuous learning and development, and allows for a job that integrates into their life," adds Reggie.
Speaking up for equality
When we speak up on behalf of women, or when we speak up as a way of standing up for ourselves, Reginald says that we “walk-the-walk” and help ourselves to:
- put people first
- do the right thing with integrity
- create a more inclusive environment
- unify and create solidarity as a work family
Greater economic opportunity and diverse talent pipelines
Reginald understands that McDonald's can use its scale to tackle big challenges facing communities and the women in them - both locally and globally – and the downstream impact is greater economic opportunity and increase in diverse talent pipelines and leaders across industries worldwide.
"In every area of our McDonald’s business, we will use our System to change the system," he says. "That's how we choose to challenge."
Women redefining leadership at McDonald's
Every day, around the globe, the women of McDonald’s #ChooseToChallenge by proving that great leadership is defined by action and accountability, not gender.
For example, Kristen Jones was the first and only Black partner at one of Chicago’s top law firms. She also built the firm’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy. Now, at McDonald’s, she’s pioneering a new role as senior counsel and the company’s first Director of Legal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
“With Reggie Miller recently joining the company as the Chief Diversity Officer, there has been an even greater push to accelerate and align DEI strategy across the enterprise – integrating our approach so we’re more effective,” Kristen explains. “By leveraging our scale in the legal space and other fields, McDonald’s has the opportunity to create more positive impact, and be a leading voice in the DEI landscape.”
Bringing the community together
Yolanda Travis is Owner/Operator of the McDonald’s restaurant at 65th Street and Stony Island Avenue in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. The restaurant was originally franchised to McDonald’s first-ever African American Owner/Operator, Herman Petty, in 1968. When Yolanda became Owner/Operator of the location in 2007, it was in desperate need of a remodel – and she saw an opportunity to celebrate Petty and the trail he blazed.
“I said, 'Well, we need to make [the restaurant] a historical site,” Yolanda said. “I wanted to bring the community together and show them and tell them about this wonderful black man, Mr. Herman Petty. There are very few, if any, Black historical sites in the city of Chicago, especially on the South side of Chicago. So, this was my opportunity to give back to the community.”
Growing as a leader and a person
Rainer G. is a McDonald’s Business Manager based in the UK.
"I’ve worked at McDonald’s since I was 17 years old. When I first started, I was pretty shy – I didn’t have much confidence I’d do well at work. In fact, my mom had to push me to take the job. Looking back, I’m so glad I took a chance on McDonald’s," she says. "I absolutely love working with my team and being out on the restaurant floor. I’ve been told I’m a great leader and I’m always looking for ways to better serve my customers, as well as my crew. More than anything, McDonald’s has truly given me confidence and encouraged me to put myself out there. I’m excited to continue to grow as a leader and a person at McDonald’s."
Finding a second family
Diana L. is a McDonald’s Crew Member based in Cartago, Costa Rica. She was diagnosed with dwarfism as a child. The diagnosis was hard for her to hear – she felt like her future was uncertain, and that everything she'd been told about life was a lie.
"Sadly, as I got older, other people believed that because I was small, I wasn’t going to be able to do a job that any other person could do," she adds. "I initially struggled to find work, but I was offered a job at a McDonald’s restaurant about two years ago. From my first day, it was as if my coworkers had known me for years. In this restaurant, I have a second family."
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.