CHICAGO — McDonald’s has promoted VP of global communications Michael Gonda to CCO, part of a larger corporate restructuring that makes the fast-food giant’s comms function one of four new 'Global Impact Centers of Excellence'.

In his new role, Gonda “will ensure a consistent voice, drive authentic content to better connect our positive impact with consumers to drive brand trust, and assure communication readiness for all issues that impact McDonald’s,” chief global impact officer Katie Beirne Fallon wrote in a LinkedIn post detailing the range of changes.

Gonda, who joined McDonald’s from Chobani two years ago, is the chain’s first CCO since the departure of Robert Gibbs in September 2019. Gonda and VP of US communications Dave Tovar each assumed some of Gibbs' responsibilities at that time.

Tovar has also been promoted. He will now serve as chief corporate relations officer, "responsible for leading corporate relations and leveraging the resources of the COEs to drive a positive impact across the US, McDonald’s largest market," Fallon wrote.

In addition, Dionne Parker, a 10-year veteran of McDonald’s comms function, has been named head of international communications. Senior director Rodney Jordan will lead the company’s new office of strategic planning, alignment & operations.

McDonald’s three other new Global Impact Centers of Excellence are its sustainability & ESG team, led by chief sustainability officer Jenny McColloch; global government relations & public policy team, led by VP Genna Gent; and Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc., led by CEO Kelly Dolan.

“We’ve embarked on a multi-decades-long commitment to making a difference in the world, but our impact is not universally known. I suspect it’s one of the reasons why many people that visit our restaurants are reluctant to say they feel good about it,” said Fallon, who was named McDonald’s first global impact officer in October.

“Part of the challenge of the new global impact team will be to better connect our words and actions around the world — to get that pent-up goodwill off the sidelines and form stronger partnerships with our communities,” she said.