James Gherardi

Global Manager of Crisis Communications, McDonald’s

James Gherardi is a Global Manager of Crisis Communications for McDonald’s. Prior to his time with the Golden Arches, he was the press secretary at Chicago Public Schools, the third largest school district in the U.S., where he helped thousands of teachers, students and their families navigate the pandemic. Prior to his time at CPS, James worked as the Director of Rapid Response for Freedom for All Americans, a national LGBTQ nonprofit and previously, he spent eight years as a TV news reporter, working in several markets across the U.S. including Roanoke/Lynchburg, Virginia, Indianapolis and Cleveland. That work has shaped his love for media relations and crisis response where he helps McDonald’s navigate both.