Bridge Communities names Karen Wells new CEO

Glen Ellyn-based Bridge Communities has a new CEO.

Karen Wells will take the helm of the nonprofit organization June 1. Bridge provides transitional housing, mentoring and other services for homeless families in DuPage County.

Wells has held various executive positions with McDonald's Corporation, including as vice president of nutrition and menu development for the chain's 13,000 U.S. restaurants. She also led McDonald's negotiation team with former first lady Michelle Obama on the "Let's Move" children's health initiative.

"With Karen's outstanding business and leadership skills and passion for helping the poor and disenfranchised, we will continue to serve families facing homelessness with compassion and excellence," Bridge Board Chairman Zed Francis said in a statement.

Wells is a former Bridge board member and volunteer. A first-generation college graduate, Wells grew up in poverty.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to lead and partner with the amazing team at Bridge Communities as we work to help families move beyond poverty and into lives of self-sufficiency," Wells said in a statement.

She lives with her family in Naperville.

In the past 30 years, Bridge Communities has helped 850 families attain self-sufficiency from homelessness.