She worked her way through college and law school while managing a McDonalds. Now shes a lawyer for the corporation.
McDonalds lawyer Natalie Stephenson has had ties to McDonalds since she was a kid.
Born and raised in New York City, she was impressed by the brand as she saw the business through the eyes of a family friend who owned multiple McDonalds across New York City.
At 15, her family moved to Philadelphia, then a few years later, she was off to Spelman College, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Natalie takes pride in the fact she attended an HBCU and believes its more than just a school.
Its a time for you to really learn about yourself and have pride in who you are as a person and as a people; it really does change the way you think about yourself and what you can achieve.
Being a full-time Manager and a full-time student
In the second half of Natalies freshman year at Spelman, she began working at the McDonalds on Peachtree Street in Atlanta as a full-time manager and did so all the way up to her senior year. Working as a Manager and being a full-time student meant Natalie didnt have much free time, but she said she would be looking at a lot more debt if it wasnt for her role at McDonalds. It taught me how to relate to people and address difficult situations.
During her time, she also learned the value of work ethic from her Owners/Operators. They would see potential that people didnt even see in themselves. It was inspiring and Ive tried to take that lesson forward in life, she says.
While managing the McDonalds restaurant, Natalie realized crew members were in all phases and stages of life and coming from a diversity of backgrounds I saw my time in the restaurant as an opportunity to provide a positive work environment and to help people grow, she says.
Natalies path to a Legal Career at McDonalds
After college, Natalie went on to law school and she continued to work at McDonalds for the first year. Natalie completed her law degree and went on to practice Criminal and Family Law in North Carolina. In 2004 Natalie and her husband decided that she would stay home during her four childrens early years.
She later started working part-time for a financial services firm and eventually joined full-time once her children became older. During her time at the firm, she also became a certified compliance professional.
From there, the opportunity at McDonalds started to present itself when she connected with a friend who mentioned the position opening. Im new to this area of law, but I love learning new things, she says.
Were so proud to have Natalie back under the arches, but she said it best McDonalds felt familiar, like home, and its kind of like everything that Ive done in my life has come full circle”
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