Don Thompson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Avenue, LLC, a Chicago-based investment firm he co-founded in 2015 with his wife and business partner, Liz Thompson. Cleveland Avenue specializes in investing in lifestyle consumer brands and high-growth companies that are transforming large, dynamic markets. Under Thompson’s leadership, the firm has become a catalyst for innovation, value creation, and inclusive economic growth.

Thompson brings over 25 years of transformational leadership experience to Cleveland Avenue. Prior to founding the firm, he served as President and CEO of McDonald’s Corporation, where he led one of the world’s most recognized brands through a period of global transformation. During his tenure, he held numerous leadership roles across operations, engineering, and strategy, ultimately becoming one of the first African American CEOs of a Fortune 500 company.

Alongside Cleveland Avenue, the Thompson’s established The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education (The CAFE), a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing educational equity and leadership development. The foundation supports students and professionals from underrepresented communities, helping them navigate pathways from the classroom to the boardroom.

Thompson combines technical expertise, global business leadership, and a deep commitment to mentorship in his investment approach. With a background in electrical engineering and a track record of scaling complex organizations, he actively supports entrepreneurs by combining analytical rigor with a passion for customer-centric innovation. His investment philosophy is rooted in building diverse, high-performing teams and fostering long-term partnerships that deliver both financial and social returns.

He currently serves on the boards of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., The Northern Trust Corporation, and Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, and is a Trustee of The CAFE Foundation. He also contributes his expertise to the NFL Diversity Advisory Committee and is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, Economic Club of Chicago, and World Business Chicago. His previous board service includes McDonald’s Corporation, Beyond Meat, Exelon, DocuSign and Purdue University.

Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Excelsior College. He has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Purdue University Dreamer Award, the National Black MBA Association’s Outstanding Leadership Award, and induction into the Chicago Innovation Hall of Fame.

Through Cleveland Avenue and The CAFE Foundation, Thompson continues to champion innovation, inclusive leadership, and purpose-driven investment as cornerstones of sustainable business success.