Ronald McDonald House Charities names Katie Fitzgerald president and CEO

Katie Fitzgerald. / Photo courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has named Katie Fitzgerald president and CEO, effective March 6. In the new role, Fitzgerald will lead the strategic vision for the charity’s long-term growth, global impact and delivery of mission, according to a statement.

Fitzgerald will replace former president and CEO Kelly Dolan, who announced her retirement in June.

Fitzgerald will also join McDonald’s global impact leadership team.

“McDonald’s ongoing support of RMHC plays an important role in delivering on our commitment to feed and foster communities all around the world,” said Jon Banner, executive vice president and global chief impact officer at McDonald’s, in a statement. “As the Charity’s founding and forever mission partner, we are excited to welcome Katie to the McDonald’s system. Her extensive nonprofit background will undoubtedly help advance the RMHC mission and strengthen our joint efforts moving forward.”

Fitzgerald comes to the charity from her role as president and chief operating officer at Feeding America. She has also held leadership positions at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Make-a-Wish Oklahoma, among other organizations. Fitzgerald brings more than 25 years of non-profit experience to the role.

“On behalf of the RMHC board of trustees, we are pleased to welcome Katie Fitzgerald as President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Global,” said Ginger Hardage, chairman of the RMHC board of trustees, in a statement. “Katie’s leadership experience in the nonprofit sector will be critical to the organization’s continued success as we approach the 50th anniversary of RMHC and build out our strategy for our next 50 years.”

RMHC is a non-profit organization that creates, finds and supports programs that improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families. The organization has a global network of over 260 chapters in 60 countries and regions. Through its network, RMHC facilitates family-centered care and helps families with sick or injured children stay together and near hospitals and health care services. 

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