Our People Stories

Ashley’s journey is a testament to the vital role McDonald’s restaurants play in creating opportunity and advancing economic mobility in communities across America. As one of the 1 in 8 Americans who have worked at McDonald’s, her story reflects how access to employment, education benefits, and leadership development can create a strong foundation for advancement and personal growth. 

Ashley began working full-time at McDonald’s at 17 years old with only a 10th-grade education. The flexibility of the job allowed her to support herself independently while developing essential workplace skills. Within a year, she was promoted to Shift Leader. By 19, she had advanced to Department Leader and then General Manager of the Mountain View, Missouri McDonald’s, demonstrating the clear and attainable career pathways within the McDonald’s system. She later attended Hamburger University to further strengthen her leadership and operational expertise. 

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley faced a profound personal challenge when her son was born at 26 weeks and later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Navigating the NICU during a global crisis reshaped her perspective as both a mother and a leader. During that time, her family relied on the support of Ronald McDonald House, reinforcing her commitment to community engagement and advocacy for families in crisis.

In 2021, at just 22 years old, Ashley was promoted to People Experience Lead and was honored as Outstanding General Manager for her final year in operations. In her current role, she focuses on strengthening workplace culture, improving retention, modernizing hiring systems, expanding employee benefits, and developing leaders from Crew through General Manager. Her organization has since earned top national rankings in retention and Archways to Opportunity participation.

In 2025, Ashley was named the inaugural recipient of the McDonald’s of the Big MO Business Unit People Champion Award, recognizing her leadership and commitment to investing in others. Today, as People Experience Lead, Ashley continues championing innovation, education, and opportunity for the next generation of employees.

A defining milestone in Ashley’s journey has been her participation in Archways to Opportunity, McDonald’s comprehensive education and career advancement program. Through Archways, she earned her fully accredited high school diploma in 2022, reopening a chapter she once believed was closed. Continuing her education, she completed her Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in just 361 days, graduating in 2026.

 Ashley Loucks works for McDonald’s Owner/Operator Andi Hilburn-Vaini. 

For Katie, McDonald’s has never been “just a job.” It was a safe place when she needed one, a second chance when her life went off course and, ultimately, a path to the future she has today. Katie was just 17 years old when she walked into McDonald’s looking for a job - the same day she was released from state custody. 

As a young adult, she struggled with addiction. Eventually, those struggles resulted in her daughter being taken from her. It could have been the point when everything fell apart. Instead, the people Katie had come to know through McDonald’s continued to believe there was more ahead for her.  

Local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Daphne Simpson and supervisor Destiny gave Katie opportunities to work as much as she could. They supported her, listened to her and helped her begin making the changes she needed to rebuild her life. Katie says Daphne was someone she could approach when she needed help, and someone who helped her see that the cycle she had grown up in did not have to continue into the next generation.

“I am where I am today because of Daphne.” Little by little, Katie rebuilt.

McDonald’s gave her the opportunity to earn an income, get a car, find a place to live and create stability for her family. And when her son later needed surgery, the McDonald’s system touched her life in another deeply personal way when her family stayed at a Ronald McDonald House. Today, Katie is 25 years old and a Guest Service Department Manager at McDonald’s. And now, she is the one helping others find their way forward. Because of what she has experienced, Katie recognizes employees who may be struggling or starting over. She talks with people going through recovery. She encourages those who feel like they have made too many mistakes or are too far behind to build a different life. She can look them in the eye and tell them there is a way forward because she has lived it herself. 

At McDonald’s, those employees can see people around them advancing, earning promotions, developing leadership skills and building careers. For someone who has lost confidence in themselves, simply having a place to belong and something to work toward can be life-changing. “It gives people purpose. It gives them hope.” Katie has grown professionally, too. She thrives in what she calls the “constructed chaos” of a McDonald’s restaurant - the constant activity, problem solving and responsibility of taking care of employees and customers. The people skills, patience and leadership she has developed at McDonald’s have followed her home, where she says they have helped make her a better mother.

Today, Katie wants people - especially those who have never worked inside a McDonald’s restaurant - to understand what they may not see from the other side of the counter.

“People think it’s a child’s job. It’s not. For some people, it’s a stepping stone. For others, it’s their goal. It’s people’s lives. It’s not just a check.” Katie knows that better than most. At 17, McDonald’s gave her a job.

When she struggled, people at McDonald’s gave her a second chance.

And today, Katie is building a future - not only for herself and her children, but for the employees she now has the opportunity to lead. That is what opportunity can look like at McDonald’s. 

Katie works for McDonald's Owner/Operator Daphne Simpson.