Laurie Schalow

Laurie Schalow is the Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill, a position she has held since June 2020. In her role, she oversees a wide array of responsibilities including internal and external communications, sustainability initiatives, stakeholder engagement, food safety, and quality assurance across Chipotle's operations, which encompass over 2,500 restaurants in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.123

Professional Background

Schalow has a robust background in public affairs and communications within the food industry. Prior to her current role, she served as the Chief Corporate Reputation Officer at Chipotle from February 2019 to June 2020 and as the Chief Communications Officer from August 2017 to February 2019. Her career also includes significant positions at Yum! Brands, where she was the Vice President of Public Affairs, managing global PR and corporate social responsibility for brands like KFC and Taco Bell.12

Education

Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from Miami University and an MBA in Marketing from Wayne State University.1

Contributions and Impact

Since joining Chipotle shortly after a significant food safety crisis in 2016, Schalow has played a pivotal role in restoring the brand's reputation. Her strategic communication efforts have contributed to notable improvements in public perception, as evidenced by Chipotle's rising scores in reputation rankings.3 She emphasizes integrating communication strategies with overall business objectives and actively engages with community initiatives.23

Personal Insights

Schalow resides in Southern California and enjoys outdoor activities with her two dogs. She also stays connected with emerging social media trends to better understand consumer engagement.3