Former McDonald's president to talk about leadership, women's empowerment at MCC
From humble beginnings as a McDonald's fry cook, Jan Fields juggled work-life roles to ultimately become head of the global fast-food corporation.
The former president of McDonald's USA will speak about leadership and women's empowerment Nov. 13 at McHenry County College.
Her talk titled "Having it Your Way: Defining Yourself When 'Life Happens'" will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the college's Luecht Conference Center, 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake. The event is open to the public. Cost is $25 per person.
Fields, 62, of Chicago, will share how she started a 35-year career at McDonald's, working her way up from crew member to president, a post she held from 2010 until retirement in 2012.
"Very few careers are built by going in a straight line," Fields said in a news release. "I like to think of it more like climbing a jungle gym - you pursue your strengths and sometimes that means going sideways for a bit as you discover what you're good at. But if you focus on the job you have while you plan for the future, you will achieve your dreams."
Fields was responsible for the strategic direction and overall business results of the 14,000 McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. She introduced healthier menu options and implemented the disclosure of nutritional facts on the menu.
MCC's speaker event aims to raise awareness of women's empowerment issues. It is sponsored by the Education to Empowerment Scholarship Program of the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation.
"As a working mother with a demanding career, I often feel overwhelmed and stretched too thin," said Julie Arndt, Education to Empowerment Committee member at MCC. "I look forward to hearing Jan Fields share her life journey and how we can balance it all in today's busy world."
Fields made Forbes' list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" and The Wall Street Journal's "50 Women to Watch" list. She has served on several boards, including Welbilt Inc., a global manufacturer of commercial food service equipment, Chicos FAS, Inc., and the Global Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities. She also chairs the board of United Cerebral Palsy and the advisory board of Catalyst, a women's organization.
MCC's Education to Empowerment scholarship provides financial support and ongoing mentorship for female students in their final year at the college and through their studies at a four-year college or university. The college has awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 25 female MCC students since 2013.
To purchase tickets, visit mchenry.edu/rsvp. For more information, call the Friends of MCC Foundation at (815) 479-7529.