Leadership Team

Greg Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s South Africa, joined McDonald’s in 1996 as a Project Manager in the construction department. He was appointed Managing Director of McDonald’s South Africa on 1 January 2009 and his leadership has resulted in sales growth, increased guest counts, improved customer service and increased operating income year on year. With Greg at the helm, McDonald’s South Africa has won Deloitte’s Best Company To Work For for three consecutive years. In addition, he was named the Institute of People Management CEO of the Year in 2011, as well as being nominated as a finalist in the Boss of the Year Award 2011.

Mlungisi Mathonsi is the Chief Development Officer at McDonald’s South Africa. He joined McDonald’s in 2018 with over 23 years of experience in various leadership roles from Demand Management to Customer Service and Stakeholder Relations. Mlungisi holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree, Advanced Management Diploma, an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and a Certificate in Professional Coaching.

Evan is a Chartered Accountant with over 19 years post articles experience. Evan is a skilled corporate and financial executive with knowledge and experience in franchising, retail, FMCG, supply chain and manufacturing fields from a finance, operations, strategy and business development perspective. He has held senior finance positions over the past 12 years and joined McDonald’s in 2018. Evan provides a financial insight into the strategic business development of the business and is responsible for all aspects of Financial Management including Strategic Planning, Reporting, Budgeting, Analysis, Treasury, Legal, Internal Control and Compliance.

Daniel Padiachy has seasoned and respected experience in Marketing, Consumer Insights and Strategic leadership. He joined McDonald’s SA in 2006 and currently holds the position of Chief Marketing Officer and is responsible for Marketing; Brand Communications; Consumer Insights; Business Insights; Brand and Corporate Strategy and Digital. Daniel holds a MBA in Marketing Strategy from WITS University and he is also qualified as a Chartered Marketer in SA recognised by The Marketing Association of South Africa MA (SA).

An accomplished Human Resources & Talent Management Professional with 15 years’ Executive Management experience. Yvonne Themba is a solutions-based strategist that enjoys transforming organisations by tailoring change management programmes and continuous improvement initiatives that align with company requirements, compliance and long-term business goals. In August 2021 she took on the exciting and challenging role of Chief People Officer at McDonald’s South Africa.

Prior to joining McDonald’s South Africa and having earned significant professional growth opportunities throughout her career, Yvonne was the Managing Director of her own HR consultancy, Themba Infrastructure Projects (TIP). Established in 2016, this fully women-owned and -led business has managed HR strategy development, work culture embedding, retrenchment outplacements solutions and Board management projects for Shanduka Group, Phembani Group, Pfortner Solutions and Black Umbrellas.

Currently the Trustee of Mabindu Business Development Trust (MBDT) and the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF) and some its implementing entities; namely Adopt-A-School Foundation (AAS) and KTS, Yvonne understands fully the fiduciary responsibilities and compliance mandate embedded therein. She works effectively alongside Board Members and Executive Management in order to achieve the greater goal, communicating insights, decisions and challenges in a compelling manner.

Yvonne is also a Board member of Pan African Resources (PAR), a sustainable, safe, high margin and long-life mid-tier Gold Producer in South Africa.

She serves on the sub committees of the abovementioned Boards with a special emphasis on Chairing the Remuneration Committees (PAR & CRF) as well as being a member of the Ethics Committee (PAR) and the Finance Committee (AAS).