Mark Wilson

About Mark Wilson

After more than 20 years leading leadership and organization development for Taco Bell, I stepped away from corporate life to care for my mother during her Alzheimer’s journey. That experience changed everything.What I discovered was that many of the same leadership principles and breakthrough ideas I taught in the corporate world also apply inside the realities of family caregiving, and that when families use them well, they can create healthier, happier, and more sustainable results. Families are often managing complex care situations without the tools, language, or systems they need. Caregiving can feel overwhelming, isolating, and reactive. It does not have to stay that way.Today, I help family caregivers and care teams lead with more clarity, confidence, and compassion. My work brings together practical caregiving tools, real-world leadership principles, and breakthrough practices to help families improve communication, strengthen care partnerships, make better decisions, and create more stability in the middle of Alzheimer’s and dementia care.I am the author of Breakthrough Alzheimer’s Care and the creator of a practical framework designed to help families move beyond survival mode and build a stronger, more intentional approach to care.My work is also shaped by the roles where I continue to lead and serve. I spent 22 years at Taco Bell as Senior Director of Leadership and Organization Development. I have served on the UCI MIND Advisory Board since 2021, lead an Alzheimer’s Association support group, and have participated in Alzheimer’s legislative advocacy in Washington, D.C. I have also advocated for patient rights in California through Consumer Watchdog and mentored three high school teams participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Brilliant Minds campaign.My focus includes:• Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving• Building and managing effective care teams• Caregiver communication and leadership• Hiring, evaluating, and retaining caregivers• Establishing clear expectations and accountability in care• Helping families create systems that reduce stress and improve quality of lifeI believe caregiving is one of the most important leadership challenges a person can face. With the right support and tools, families can lead through it more effectively and with far less overwhelm.If your organization, audience, or community is looking for practical, compassionate insight at the intersection of leadership and caregiving, I’d love to connect.

Experience

1. Senior Director, People and Organization Development

   Taco Bell

   Jan 1998 — Present

   Led People and Organization and Leadership Development for the global $7 billion Taco Bell system. Led OD, HR Generalists, Recognition, and Training. Received Chairman and President’s Awards for Organization Alignment and Senior Executive Team Development. • Achieved 6 years of industry leading sales growth after working closely with the senior leadership team on the turn around brand strategy, and structure & culture redesign. • Led Taco Bell and co-led the YUM! 2008 – 2009 global organization and process redesign. Results include $100 million in YUM! And $20 million in G&A savings, while achieving growth targets. • Contributed to the decrease in team turnover from 220% to 85%; improved percent of Ready for Growth and exportable talent, and high potential promotes through new talent management systems. • Led the design, development and implementation of YUM! Brands and Taco Bell leadership development and high potentials programs. Led YUM! global marketing development and succession planning. • Designed and led over 40 senior executive team planning and development off sites. • Lead HR executives across YUM! Brands in organization design and “Surround Sound” culture alignment, executive team development, concept innovation, and recognition.

Education

• Pomona College

  B.A., Government

  1974 — 1978

• University of Southern California

  M.B.A., Management and Organization Development

  1979 — 1981