Breaking Barriers at McDonald's and Beyond with Desiree Ralls-Morrison

Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

Desiree Ralls-Morrison’s career journey is one of breaking barriers, leading with integrity, and staying true to her values. As the Executive Global Chief Legal Officer at McDonald’s, she oversees global legal operations while supporting the company’s strategies and managing risk. Beyond her high-profile role, Desiree is a fierce advocate for racial equity and social justice, co-founding The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund to uplift Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities.

Growing up as one of the only Black students in a small Connecticut town, Desiree learned early on about resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of staying grounded in her identity. Her path from Harvard Law School to leading one of the most recognizable global brands is marked by her unwavering commitment to authenticity and high standards. She also credits much of her success to the values her mother instilled in her and mentors like Ken Frazier, which she carries with her in every leadership role.

In this episode of The Branding Room Only podcast, Desiree shares how her upbringing shaped her personal and professional brand. She discusses her transition from healthcare to McDonald’s, navigating global legal issues, and why vulnerability is key to her leadership style. Desiree also dives into the importance of service, mentorship, and staying true to her core values, offering actionable insights for anyone looking to build a personal brand rooted in authenticity.

1:05 - Desiree’s personal brand definition, favorite quote, and hype song

7:22 - How growing up in a small, all-white town shaped Desiree’s childhood, college education, and career path

18:18 - How Desiree transitioned into her current role at McDonald’s and the challenge that came with it

23:11 - How service and community involvement became key to building her brand and the founding of her racial equity fund

30:10 - The meaning behind receiving awards and public recognition, and how Desiree stays grounded

33:13 - Lessons learned from mentors like Ken Frazier and how they shaped her leadership style

39:39 - Balancing visibility with authenticity in corporate America

44:51 - Desiree’s advice for building a personal brand, what she does for fun, and her uncompromising commitment to integrity

49:38 - How Desiree’s authenticity and vulnerability form the foundation of her Branding Room Only magic

Mentioned In Breaking Barriers at McDonald's and Beyond with Desiree Ralls-Morrison

The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund

Corporate Counsel Women of Color

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Part 1 | Part 2

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Sponsor for this episode

PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.

To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or conta

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Chapter

1. Breaking Barriers at McDonald's and Beyond with Desiree Ralls-Morrison (00:00:00)

2. Desiree’s personal brand definition, favorite quote, and hype song (00:01:54)

3. How growing up in a small, all-white town shaped Desiree’s childhood, college education, and career path (00:08:11)

4. How Desiree transitioned into her current role at McDonald’s and the challenge that came with it (00:19:07)

5. How service and community involvement became key to building her brand and the founding of her racial equity fund (00:24:00)

6. The meaning behind receiving awards and public recognition, and how Desiree stays grounded (00:30:59)

7. Lessons learned from mentors like Ken Frazier and how they shaped her leadership style (00:34:02)

8. Balancing visibility with authenticity in corporate America (00:40:28)

9. Desiree’s advice for building a personal brand, what she does for fun, and her uncompromising commitment to integrity (00:45:40)

10. How Desiree’s authenticity and vulnerability form the foundation of her Branding Room Only magic (00:50:27)