Sandy Rodriguez 

Global Chief Communications Officer
McDonalds
US

In April 2023, Sandy Rodriguez was named McDonald’s global CCO – succeeding Michael Gonda, who has been promoted to chief impact officer for North America – reporting to EVP and global chief impact officer Jon Banner.

In her role, Rodriguez leads the fast-food giant’s 72-strong comms function — one of four new Global Impact Centers of Excellence, covering external and internal, overseeing brand trust, external engagement and media relations, enterprise and employee comms and reputational measurement. She also oversees crisis communications and professional development for all the company’s communicators, as well as McDonald’s digital and social channel unit, Story Lab, and Agency 123, its in-house creative agency.

Rodriguez’s elevation came just one year after she first joined the chain in May 2022 as VP of US communications from Roche Diagnostics. Although her stint as US comms lead was a short one, Rodriguez was well-primed for her global role. Her responsibilities included driving McDonald’s US reputation and brand trust strategy. Rodriguez had direct oversight of the US communications team, serve as a member of the US SLT, the global impact leadership team, and the communications leadership team. She also led the brand’s effort to foster local connections and be the point person for local and national community programs.

Can you share a moment in your career when you saw PR’s direct impact on business performance?
It happens every day as we drive awareness through earned and owned channels of campaigns that bring customers into restaurants, combat disinformation that protects reputation and rally all three legs of McDonald’s system--franchisees, employees, and suppliers—in support of our strategy.

What are the communications industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities in the year ahead?
We live in divided and polarized times.  Getting noticed for the opportunities companies provide for employees, customers and communities while ensuring there is a true understanding of what brands stand for is becoming even more complex. As trust in institutions declines and the next generation expects personalization, keeping employees engaged and committed to organizations is critical.

What have you most admired about the communications industry over the past year, and what has disappointed you?
The growing influence communications teams have as the C-suite understands that rallying organizations behind a shared sense of purpose, reputation and societal impact is a critical driver of top and bottom-line results. This includes providing opportunities for employees and how we are showing up for our communities.  The field is evolving so fast and there is no written playbook for how we do what we do, but as an industry we have an even greater focus on data and insights allowing us to achieve greater outcomes.

I believe our industry’s best days are ahead. I’m inspired by the diverse talent in our industry that is bringing fresh perspectives to how our profession is a critical one to drive business results and know that a focus on more diverse perspectives will help us be even better.

What work from your team are you most proud of over the past year?
Developing a narrative and integrated communications plan related to the evolution of business strategy, Accelerating the Arches. We rolled out the story at our investor update and pulled through to our system at our biennial worldwide event, the largest convening of our system with our owner/operators, suppliers and employees from markets around the world.

How have you switched off from work and maintained wellness over the past year?
I make time to go outdoors. Really enjoy cooking and using the fresh herbs from my garden.

Which book/movie/TV show/podcast/playlist/other cultural source has helped you get through the past year or provided inspiration?
‘Hidden Potential’ by Adam Grant. Reading that book has me thinking that I can master more languages. I just have to keep practicing out loud!

If I wasn't working in marketing/communications, I would be...
Impacting kids, either through education or running a non-profit focused on children.