Shammara Howell currently serves as the Vice President and Chief Field People Officer for McDonald’s USA, effective November 2021, leading the Field People Team, HR Operations and Talent Attraction and Engagement teams. In this role, Shammara serves as the Company Lead for the Operator People National Leadership Team, working alongside the Owner/Operator People Lead to advance the People Strategy for the US Business.

Prior to working in the US Business, Shammara was appointed Vice President and Chief Talent Officer in June 2020, assuming responsibility for Talent Attraction, Performance Management, Cultural Evolution and Organizational Effectiveness. Shammara and team were responsible for evolving the McDonald’s talent strategy, including targeted focus on retaining and engaging the McDonald’s workforce through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shammara joined McDonald’s in 2017, leading the Corporate HR Business Partner team as the Sr. Director, Corporate HR. Under Shammara’ s leadership, the role of the HR Business Partner team has evolved to be rooted in the goals and strategy of the organization. The team has realigned its mission from a service model approach to a team of trusted strategic partners, standing-up critical business initiatives powered by our people to achieve our shared growth drivers. As the Sr. Director, Corporate HR for McDonald’s global functions, Shammara has help shaped the historic move and world-class culture of MHQ through her work creating and leading the Working Futures team.

Prior to joining McDonald’s, Shammara had a broad generalist career with over 12+ years in the retail space including organizations such as PetSmart and Walmart. She has built her strong HR leadership experience in roles in both Corporate and Field HR organizations, including specialist assignments in Distribution, Talent and Diversity throughout her career.

Shammara is a graduate of the University of Iowa, holding a dual degree in Psychology and Sports, Health, Leisure & Physical Studies and holds her Masters in Human Resources and Employee Relations from Penn State University. Shammara is committed to lifelong learning and development and represented McDonald’s in the 2018 cohort of the Leading Women Executives program.