OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - Dec 21, 2012) - The Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) Global Board of Trustees elected J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez, senior vice president of McDonald's® Global Corporate Social Responsibility, as President and CEO, and elected Jan Fields, former president of McDonald's USA, as a new board of trustee member. Gonzalez-Mendez and Fields will serve in the best interest of the nonprofit that provides stability and vital resources to families to help get and keep their children healthy and happy. Both individuals join a diverse group of people with extensive experience in business and/or healthcare, who share the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of children around the world through family-centered programming.
"Our leaders and trustees bring a wealth of expertise which helps to drive our mission efficiently and to improve the health outcomes for children across the globe. We are excited to add J.C. and Jan's leadership and entrepreneurial insights to help RMHC make the best decisions on expanding our reach and improving our efforts to serve children and families who need our services," said Linda Dunham, board chair of RMHC.
Gonzalez-Mendez has a 28-year career with McDonald's and succeeds Marty Coyne as he retires after two decades of dedication to the mission of RMHC. Gonzalez-Mendez's business acumen and work in Latin America and North America leading supply chain and other critical business areas, as well as his avid support of the Charity, will enable RMHC to stay focused on sustaining its growth and extending its impact on the health outcomes of children in the coming years. The Charity is projected to grow its core programs, including the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, by 27 percent in 2013 to meet the increasing demand for these critical services. Gonzalez-Mendez's new leadership role will be effective March 1, 2013.
Gonzalez-Mendez's passion for RMHC began 15 years ago in Mexico, where he played an integral role in the construction of the first Ronald McDonald House in that country. Thereafter, he has served on several local RMHC Chapter Boards, as well as the Arcos Dorados and RMHC Latin American Social Responsibility Advisory Council which has been instrumental in supporting the expansion of additional RMHC Chapters in Curacao, Peru and Uruguay. His knowledge of the local Chapter organization and the development of relevant, needs-based programming to support families in varying geographies will be instrumental.
"I recognize that I am being entrusted by the RMHC Board of Trustees with delivering on measureable goals and outcomes as I step up to lead as the new President and CEO," said Gonzalez-Mendez. "RMHC has a tremendous infrastructure and has both the staff and volunteer board leadership in place to strategically expand our services, while ensuring we maintain the high level of care and compassion for families."
Fields, a 35-year veteran of McDonald's, was elected to serve on the RMHC Board from 2013-2015. She began her career with the company behind the restaurant counter. She became president of McDonald's USA in 2010, after serving as chief operating officer for four years. Jan's kindness and commitment to helping those in need brought her closer to RMHC. She is an active RMHC ambassador, supporting the Charity in a variety of ways, such as: running the 26.2 mile Bank of America Chicago Marathon helping to raise $700,000 for Team RMHC; advocating for national in-restaurant fundraisers supporting the Charity; volunteering at several local RMHC Chapters, promoting the Charity's mission at conferences and seminars. Jan's strategic thinking and commitment to making a difference will help the nonprofit focus its efforts to be a catalyst for change and to be part of the solution in improving the critical needs of children.
"I am humbled to be asked to be a part of the RMHC Board of Trustees. This position will allow me to give my time and talent to help provide hope, healing, resources and strength to our families who are facing the battle of their child's medical crisis," said Fields. "Changing children's lives is a powerful calling, one that I will continue to cherish and support through my responsibilities as a member of this board." A complete list and biography on each of the 29 RMHC Board of Trustee members, who guide the Charity's mission to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children can be found on the Charity's website.
Today, RMHC provides resources to more than 4.5 million families in 57 countries and regions through 322 Ronald McDonald Houses, 177 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, 48 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, as well as global grants to other charitable organizations that work on behalf of children. RMHC programs play a crucial role in the health care experience for critically ill children with research showing that children heal faster and cope better with their families accessible to be a source of strength, as well as to participate in critical decisions affecting their child's care. The nonprofit was honored by the American Hospital Association in 2012 for being an exceptional partner in the delivery of health care services, a testament that RMHC is part of the continuum of care that facilitates improved outcomes for children.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 57 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-operated and supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow us on Twitter (@RMHC) or like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).
For more information on RMHC:
www.rmhc.org
The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.
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Clara Carrier
630.623.6573