Jessica Rau is communications manager for McDonald’s Greater Chicago Region. She develops strategic management communications, manages media relations, the regional planning process, key initiatives, and issues management.
Her McDonald’s career began in 2004 in Corporate Media Relations. After several promotions, she was responsible for implementing strategic media relations programs and protecting the McDonald’s brand. In 2009, Rau became Manager of External Communications for McDonald’s USA and developed innovative public relations programs. She leveraged emerging communications channels and became the official “tweeter” for @McCafeyourday.
Rau is cofounder and field liaison officer for McDonald’s Young Professionals Network. She sits on ISU’s College of Business Marketing Advisory Board. She has received McDonald’s President’s Award, Circle of Excellence Award twice, ISU’s College of Business Early Career Achievement Award, McDonald’s Outstanding National Marketing Team Award, and McDonald’s Bill Lamar Marketing Excellence Award for the McCafe team.
She resides in Wheaton with her husband, Ryan, and their two children, Carter and Maxine.
Watch video of the 2014 Alumni Award recipients talking about how Illinois State changed their lives:
