For Pillo Godinez, staying in school was a challenge. But his McDonald’s managers saw his knack for connecting. As People Experience Lead, Pillo now oversees orientation for 10 stores and training for 16.

Kitchen manager Tino Carvajal came to the US in 2000. His team McDonald’s treated him as a talented equal from day one. Twenty-two years later, Tino brings his compassion and eye for detail to training new employees.

Alyssa Ellis was a shy drill-team dancer when she started at McDonald’s. After a tough accident, she found unwavering support from her team and supervisor, and the confidence to lead as a manager and HR Clerk.

Yashmine Hernandez achieved a healthy work-life balance as a student and McDonald’s crew member. She’s pursuing her educational goals with help from the Archways to Opportunity tuition assistance program.

Elva Castrejon’s started in the kitchen at McDonald’s 23 years ago. Learning on the job, she quickly improved her English listening and speaking skills, starting her down the path to General Manager.

Jay Young’s path to Director of Operations started 22 years ago. A natural communicator and passionate cheerleader for his crew members, his leadership abilities have been recognized with a $25,000 Ray Kroc Award.

General Manager Sofia Salazar started at McDonald’s when she was 20. A problem solver with high potential, she was invited to attend Hamburger University in Chicago to build up her leadership skills.

Originally from Mexico, Dolores Pardo has worked her way up from cleaning crew to kitchen staff to manager over her 25 years at McDonald’s, with some help from McDonald’s English Under the Arches language classes along the way.

Supervisor Tony Chang emigrated to the United States as a refugee from China in the 1970s. He’s been at McDonald’s for over 30 years, growing his career from Crew Member to Supervisor with the support of McDonald’s management training programs.

Kitchen manager Luis Guevara has taken advantage of McDonald’s flexible schedules and tuition assistance to earn a degree in business management—and gets hands-on experience in ordering and logistics, too.

Although he’s only 20 years old, Fidel Davalos has risen from Crew Member to an Operation Technology Professional who travels between McDonald’s locations to address tech issues from wiring to advanced hard drive maintenance.

Houston's Allison Golding went from crew member to General Manager in just 3 and a half years. She credits her rise to the training and support she received at McDonald's, as well as her drive and her passion for making customers smile.

Director of Training Devin Potvin thought McDonald’s would just be a high school job, but discovered that with flexible schedules he could work as a manager while also playing college baseball. After 15 years as a GM, he now spends his time helping other team members grow their careers.

When Supervisor Robert Julks started at McDonald's over 40 years ago he didn't expect to still be working here today—and he couldn't be happier about it.

With the Archways to Opportunity program, Maria receives tuition assistance for her bachelor's degree while advancing her career with McDonald's.

McFamily fuels our Director of Operations, Kat Nguyen. Ever since she started at McDonald's, she's been thriving. Now two decades later, Kat’s passion for building connections with her crew and customers still drives her.

Thriving in her McDonald's career, she uplifts her team and leads with a smile, all while giving back to the community she loves.

McDonald's Kitchen Manager Rosa Martinez takes pride in her work, spreading kindness to her crew and customers.

From learning the ropes to leading with vision and purpose, Jahan’s journey at McDonald’s shows the opportunities and growth that come with hard work and dedication.

There's nothing McDonald's Shift Manager Clarissa Santos can't do. From Shift Manager to Operations Technology Professional, Clarissa is proving the sky is the limit.