Foodservice giant McDonald’s announced today that it has launched a new Global Impact Team, to be led by newly appointed  EVP and Chief Global Impact Officer Katie Beirne Fallon. The new team will aim to harness and direct the full strength of McDonald’s ongoing efforts to affect positive change around the world.

Chris Kempczinski, President and Chief Executive Officer, said:

“For more than 65 years, McDonald’s has been at the forefront of making a difference in the world, fueled by our purpose to feed and foster communities. At a time of great global complexity, there is an increasing expectation on companies to play a leading role. We welcome that challenge and are raising our ambitions. Our ability to make an impact in the world will be deeply strengthened by bringing together expertise from across our organization to create a function that is focused on purpose and guided by our values. Through this new structure, we will be able to build on the strong foundations these teams have built and drive further collaboration to have an even greater impact.”

McDonald’s stated that the new team will bring together key functions across the organization that are critical to achieving the company’s purpose to feed and foster communities, including Government Relations, Communications, Sustainability, and oversight for the company’s corporate philanthropy and ESG strategy.

Katie Fallon joins McDonald’s after serving most recently as EVP, Global Corporate Affairs for Hilton, where she was responsible for managing the company’s communications, government relations and corporate responsibility efforts. She spearheaded Hilton’s 100th anniversary campaign to elevate its reputation globally, and led the creation of “The Hilton Effect” to define the company’s century of positive impact. Under her leadership, Hilton led the hospitality industry with the launch of 2030 Travel With Purpose goals aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, committing the company to cut its environmental footprint in half and double its social impact. She also launched The Hilton Effect Foundation – the company’s first corporate foundation – focused on investing in organizations that aligned with its 2030 Goals.

Fallon also served as Senior Advisor and Director of Legislative Affairs for President Barack Obama, serving as the President’s chief liaison to Congress and playing a lead role in negotiating major bipartisan legislation, as well as Deputy Communications Director at the White House.

Fallon said:

“At the highest level, the McDonald’s brand is iconic and far-reaching. At a more personal level, the brand is a beacon in every one of the thousands of communities that it touches. I have long admired the Company’s willingness to use its global scale to drive positive change through sustainability efforts, community service initiatives and corporate philanthropy.

“Today’s pace of change makes these efforts more urgent and important than ever. I am excited to work with Chris, the Senior Leadership Team and the talented teams across the business as we create a new Global Impact organization that will redefine McDonald’s positive influence on the world for years to come.”

Kempczinski added:

“Katie is an accomplished leader who embodies the values we live by every day at McDonald’s. She will bring critical insights from her experience in both the public and private sectors that will help ensure we continue to lead the way in serving our customers and stakeholders, both in our restaurants and the communities in which we operate.”