About Us
Our story, our people, and our commitment to community
A Legacy of Service
OUR FOUNDERS
Carmen and John De Carrier have built their careers at the intersection of business leadership and community impact. They became McDonald's Owner-Operators in Chicago in 2004, where they grew their organization and deepened their community engagement for nearly two decades. In 2026, alongside their daughter Eva, they co-founded the Solano-De Carrier RISE Foundation—further advancing their lifelong commitment to reaching, investing in, supporting, and empowering the communities they serve.
President
Eva Lawrence
Eva is the President of the Solano-De Carrier RISE Foundation, bringing deep experience in
education, behavioral health, and community advocacy. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, along with a Master’s-level ABA certificate. Eva is a Board-Certified Behavioral
Analyst (BCBA) and has spent the past seven years working as a BCBA at Total Spectrum.
Throughout her career, her focus has been serving the Latino community...
Meet Our Team
LEADERSHIP
Co-Founder
Carmen Solano-De Carrier
Carmen DeCarrier emigrated from the Dominican Republic to Chicago at age 19 and built an extraordinary career with McDonald’s, her first and only employer. Rising through the ranks, she became a McDonald’s Owner-Operator in 2002 and went on to operate up to 19 restaurants in Chicago, employing more than 1,000 people.
Recognized globally for her leadership and commitment to community, Carmen is a two-time recipient of McDonald’s prestigious Ronald Award and the Golden Arch Award...
![John Headshot 2020-1[5].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d7026b_ff475d3c208042c2852d3987d82f2210~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/John%20Headshot%202020-1%5B5%5D.jpeg)
Co-Founder
John De Carrier
John DeCarrier leads with purpose and conviction. Born in Chicago, raised in Mexico by his grandparents, and returning home driven to make an impact, John’s journey is rooted in service, discipline, and execution.
After transitioning out of operating 19 McDonald’s restaurants in Chicago—employing more than 1,000 people—John expanded his focus to real estate development in Chicagoland and Orange
County, logistics and trucking, hospitality, and mentoring emerging business leaders...
A History of Impact
2002
Relocated to Chicago
Relocated to Chicago, IL to grow their business and community impact.
2006
Mia DeCarrier Fund & HACER
Started the "Mia DeCarrier Fund" to award scholarships to low-income Latino students. Also began working with Ronald McDonald House Charities through the HACER Scholarship, helping award over 100 scholarships.
Easter Seals Partnership
The family worked with Easter Seals to create a sensory room and garden in their therapeutic day school in Chicago.
Community Shoe Giveaways
Carmen and John partnered with community organizations to give away shoes. Partners included Erie House, Casa Central, El Lugar del Niño, and the Back of the Yards community.
SD RISE Foundation Created
Eva, Carmen, and John created the Solano-DeCarrier RISE Foundation to formalize their commitment to neurodivergent individuals and low-income Latino families.
OUR JOURNEY
Carmen and John became owner operators of McDonald's in Milwaukee, WI.
Became Owner-Operators
Began backpack and supply giveaways to directly give back to the community. Over their time as owner operators, Carmen and John gave away over 20,000 backpacks.
Backpack & Supply Giveaways
John created the Rock the House event with other McDonald's owner operators. The event benefited RMHC and raised $1.5 million across 10 events.
Rock the House Events
Carmen and John donated to Lurie's Children's Hospital. The family dedicated a Family Den and room to the Ronald McDonald House on behalf of their daughter Mia.
Lurie Children's Hospital
John and Carmen left McDonald's and created a new holding company. They continue to make various contributions to charities in the Chicago-land area.