GSF and Ronald McDonald House® Unite to Develop the Next Generation of Mission‑Driven Leaders

Last week, GSF’s McDonald’s Business Unit team welcomed the 2026 Executive Leadership Program (ELP) cohort from Ronald McDonald House Global, along with ELP Cohort Deans and other program partners. The group gathered at GSF’s Chicago West Loop Innovation Center for an immersive ELP Cooking Workshop. The hands‑on session encouraged leaders to think like chefs, creating something original by using the ingredients in front of them.

Ronald McDonald House, which supports families with children who are ill or injured through housing, meals, and essential services near hospitals worldwide, invests in developing strong organizational leaders through its Executive Leadership Program. This custom program equips current and future Chapter leaders to think strategically, lead through complexity, and strengthen their impact across more than 240 Ronald McDonald House Chapters globally. Cohort Deans play a key role by helping participants connect classroom learning to real-world challenges and build a strong peer community.

“Hosting the ELP cohort is an honor,” said Jared Dunn, Senior Director, McDonald's Business Unit North America. “Seeing first-hand how leaders experiment, problem-solve, and create together reflects the shared leadership values that GSF and Ronald McDonald House hold around innovation and teamwork, and how those values continue to inspire meaningful progress across our organizations.”

Working in small teams, participants evaluated available ingredients, made quick decisions, adapted their thinking, and collaborated under time constraints. The exercise reinforced a powerful message: chefs create value from what they have, and likewise, strong leaders use their existing skills, partnerships, and resources to drive results, especially when navigating change.

“Ronald McDonald House Global is extremely grateful to GSF for welcoming the 2026 Executive Leadership Program cohort,” said Sue Mackey, Director of Mission Enablement. “Your generosity empowers our leaders to explore new possibilities and collaborate in ways that strengthen our mission worldwide.”