Myra Doria, who started her career at McDonald’s in the Philippines nearly four decades ago, now oversees 14,000 restaurants in the United States as the company’s National Field President.
Doria began working at McDonald’s in 1985 at a branch in Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga, known as Store 005. She steadily rose through the ranks, eventually assuming one of the top leadership roles in the fast-food giant’s U.S. operations.
“Standing up here today reminds me of why I got into this business in the first place, and all the incredible people I’ve met along the way,” Doria said during a recent visit to the Philippines for an operations leadership summit organized by McDonald’s Philippines.
Born and raised in Minalin, Pampanga, Doria was the eldest of six siblings. She learned the value of hard work early on, helping her parents with their business at a public market. Her journey with McDonald’s started when her mother, without her knowledge, requested a job application during a visit to the restaurant. Eleven interviews later, she was hired as a management trainee.
Doria’s career path took her to the United States when her husband, who was in the U.S. Navy, was stationed in Guam. Adapting to a new country posed challenges, she said, but she persevered and moved up through McDonald’s ranks, from business consultant to field vice president and zone president.
In 2023, she was appointed National Field President, overseeing more than $56 billion in annual sales and leading 1,800 franchisees and 500 corporate employees.
McDonald’s has emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly in empowering women. In the Philippines, women comprise 51 percent of key workforce segments, including 57 percent of store managers and 53 percent of the leadership team. The country also has the highest percentage of female sub-franchisees among McDonald’s Developmental Licensee markets.
Doria credited her mentors and supporters for helping her succeed, including McDonald’s Philippines Chairman and Founder George T. Yang, who hired her as a management trainee.
“George gave me my first opportunity 40 years ago. If not for him, who knows where I’d be today,” she said.
Yang said he was proud of Doria’s achievements.
Known for developing leaders within McDonald’s, Doria has mentored executives who now hold senior positions in McDonald’s operations in Australia and the United Kingdom. She said taking risks was a key element of leadership.
“My advice to everyone is don’t be afraid. Take risks. Actually, the higher the risks, the greater the gain,” she said.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Month, McDonald’s emphasizes that it is an environment where women say “I M Power.” They are empowered to be their best selves, and they are empowered to bring out the best in others. As a woman, Doria was “#MPowered” to succeed as national field president and a member of the McDonald’s US Senior Leadership Team.
And women have the opportunity to “#MPower,” be “#MPowered,” and be their best selves at McDonald’s, just like Doria. Learn more about the #MPowered women at McDonald’s (McDonald’s Philippines (Golden Arches Development Corporation): Overview | LinkedIn)