Meredith Moore '00 and mom Wenda Moore

Meredith Moore '00

Professionally, Meredith Moore spends most of her time writing in someone else's voice, but she says there's no doubt that she found her own voice as a lifer at Breck.

As communications manager for the McDonald's Corporation, Meredith writes speeches and handles media, external relations, government relations and investor relations for the company's president and chief diversity officer. It's a job that she says is a cross between The Devil Wears Prada and The West Wing. And though her hectic schedule (she travels about 75% of the time) keeps her away from her beloved suburban Chicago home and garden so often, she says, "Even my worst day is still a blessing."

Among the blessings of her job, she says, is that she works for "a company with a heart. It's so much more than hamburgers." She has been genuinely touched by McDonalds' willingness to help local communities, such as its efforts in post-Katrina New Orleans. Another is the opportunity she's afforded by being involved in the president’s major projects. "To be 27 and have the opportunity to lead anything, let alone major partnerships between a major company and the U.S. government is pretty phenomenal," she explains.

Meredith traces the roots of her career to her time at Breck. "In first grade, Miss Tonkin told me I was good at writing. And by the time I worked with Father Bellaimey on my senior speech, I thought, 'this is something I can do.' " She appreciates the influence of both of those teachers, as well as Memry Roessler, who taught her "foundational things like how to reflect on an author's style," and the late Dena Randolph, Breck's first multicultural director.

Her Breck teachers return the compliments. Says John Bellaimey, "Meredith is an extraordinarily capable, personable and insightful student who had her priorities right at an early age. She was a joy to teach." And Bobbie Tonkin still recalls a "delightful" member of her first Breck class. "It's truly been my honor to watch her grow to be such an amazing, grounded young woman."

Meredith also reflects happily on the friendships she made here. "You don’t graduate from Breck with friends. They’re really siblings," she says. "My Breck friends come in and out of my life, but they’re always there."

After leaving Breck, Meredith earned her bachelors degree in journalism and history from Howard University, and in May she was awarded a masters of science in communications from Northwestern University. She was delighted to come back to address the recent Cum Laude dinner (although she was not a member of the group, herself). "I called my mom and said, 'was I in that?' " Meredith laughs. "I was so impressed by the students I met that night. They’re so thoughtful and so mature. I’m sure they'll go on to do amazing things."