Yaritza Vallejo is a brand marketing supervisor at McDonald’s, where she leads national marketing campaigns that help drive cultural relevance for the brand at large.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My greatest career accomplishment to date was being able to colead a global marketing campaign for McDonald’s called “WcDonald’s.” This campaign was very successful and drove both relevance and sales for the business.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
My greatest personal accomplishment to date is being name an ADCOLOR 2023 Future. This was very important for me because it recognized the top young talent of color in the marketing and advertising industry.
What do you do today to impact your community?
I actively mentor students and serve on the young professionals’ board for the Greenwood Project. I do this because I truly believe in paying it forward and the people who helped me when I was coming up changed my life tremendously.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself moving up within the marketing industry.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
Access to higher education. I don’t believe there is enough Latinx representation at top MBA institutions. I want to work on something that helps change that.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
When we launch a marketing campaign at McDonald’s, I love seeing the reactions and comments of people who interact with the work. It’s a great feeling to see something that we have worked on for so long be out in the world.
Who inspires your leadership?
Michelle Obama.
What is a surprising hobby or interest that helps you stay creative and energized?
Playing tennis and pickleball.
What is your Latino background?
I am Mexican American. I was born and raised in Des Plaines, Illinois. My parents were born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico. They came to the US when they got married and have lived here ever since.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.
