10  ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER
Don Thompson
Founder & CEO, Cleveland Avenue

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.

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