World Food Program USA Appoints Jon Banner, McDonald’s Global Chief Impact Officer, to its Board of Directors

Published October 26, 2022

Washington, DC (October 26, 2022) – World Food Program USA today named Jon Banner, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Impact Officer at McDonald’s Corporation, to our Board of Directors. Banner joins World Food Program USA’s Board during a period of dynamic organizational growth as we work to mobilize support for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)’s operations to combat the unprecedented global hunger crisis. An innovative and accomplished business leader, Banner will work with us to grow private sector engagement as well as advance our brand and advocacy initiatives.

“We are proud to welcome Jon to our Board and look forward to working with him. He is an exceptional, visionary leader who will help us take this organization to the next level as we advance the U.N. World Food Programme’s mission,” said Randy Russell, World Food Program USA Board Chair. “We must do all we can to support the 345 million people facing severe hunger amid rising climate shocks, conflict, inflation and the pandemic fallout.”

Under Banner’s leadership, McDonald’s Global Impact function – which integrates Sustainability & ESG, Public Policy & Government Relations, Communications and International Corporate Relations teams, as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities® – is working to deliver on its purpose of feeding and fostering communities. With nearly 40,000 locations in over 100 countries, McDonald’s drives action across four impact areas: food quality and sourcing; our planet; community connection; and jobs inclusion and empowerment.

“World Food Program USA is an incredible organization dedicated to caring for our most vulnerable populations, including those feeling the immense effects of climate change on their food supply –  and ultimately their livelihoods,” said Banner. “I’m honored to join as a board member and support their critical efforts to tackle the global hunger crisis. I look forward to bringing the insights I’ve gained across my career, leading teams as they advanced efforts to transform food systems to be more resilient for the future.”

Previously, Banner spent a decade at PepsiCo, responsible for the Communications function and the PepsiCo Foundation, and worked closely with the company’s Sustainability and Government Affairs teams. He co-created the company’s sustainability vision, PepsiCo Positive (pep+), an end-to-end transformation of how the company creates growth and shared value with sustainability and human capital at the center. He also reimagined the Foundation’s global strategy towards advancing a more sustainable food system through new partnerships and investments to alleviate hunger, provide access to safe water, and drive economic empowerment.

Prior to PepsiCo, Banner spent the majority of his career at Disney/ABC, traveling the world as the Executive Producer on some of the most influential news programs including “World News Tonight” and “This Week”, winning numerous Emmy Awards for groundbreaking coverage.

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About the United Nations World Food Programme/World Food Program USA 
The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

World Food Program USA, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. Our leadership and support help to bolster an enduring American legacy of feeding families in need around the world. Learn more about World Food Program USA’s mission.

Media Contact:  
Toula Athas
Director, Communications
World Food Program USA
tathas@wfpusa.org