OAK BROOK, ILL. — Deborah Wahl, a 25-year marketing industry veteran, will join McDonald’s USA as senior vice-president and chief marketing officer, effective March 3. She will succeed Neil Golden, who last September announced his intent to retire this year.
As a member of the McDonald’s U.S. Leadership Team, Ms. Wahl will play an integral role in developing the company’s growth strategies and overall brand positioning. Specifically, she will be responsible for leading, developing and overseeing execution of fully integrated marketing plans to drive and sustain long-term growth for McDonald’s USA, while expanding and strengthening partnerships externally and internally with franchisees, suppliers and agency partners.
Most recently, Ms. Wahl was senior vice-president and c.m.o. of PulteGroup Inc. She was responsible for defining and driving the company’s strategic marketing and branding initiatives, and bolstering the company’s position as the industry’s only multi-branded homebuilding company. Prior to PulteGroup, she worked in the automotive industry with brands such as Lexus, Toyota and Ford.
Ms. Wahl received a bachelor’s of arts degree in economics from Wellesley College, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and a master’s degree in international studies from the Joseph H. Lauder Institute of International Studies.