Bridge Communities
Karen S. Wells
CEO
Karen S. Wells is the CEO of Bridge Communities, the largest provider of transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness in DuPage County. Karen has over 30 years of corporate, entrepreneurial, and non-profit leadership experience including key leadership positions at the McDonald’s Corporation as Regional Vice President, VP of US Strategy, VP of Operations, VP of US Innovation, and VP of US Nutrition and Menu Development spanning a 20-year career. Karen has also owned and operated a family business as a franchisee of The Goddard School and is the President and CEO of The AIW Group, a consulting boutique she founded based on her passion for philanthropy, inspiring leaders, and diversity, equity & inclusion.
Karen is an accomplished keynote speaker and has a passion for helping and mentoring women in business, next-generation women leaders, and women surviving poverty.