“How far I’ve come, the little girl from Mexico,” MaElena Garcia says while acknowledging she needs celebrate herself more. Now a reputable leader at Desert de Oro Foods (DDO) as a Taco Bell Area Coach (AC), we celebrate the full life she’s created here!

MaElena moved to the United States in 1996 at the age of 19. She didn’t know any English or much about American culture, but that didn’t stop her from building a career and home. Her first job was as a team member for another quick service taco joint, which DDO eventually acquired and transformed into a Taco Bell. She was 23 when she found us – October 2025 marked her 26th anniversary with the brand and our company!

“I remember the customers would ask for something and I would just give them my big smile,” she says of the language barrier – a hurdle she quickly overcame.

MaElena remained a team member only one year before being promoted to Shift Manager, then Assistant General Manager (AGM). Six months later, another promotion to Restaurant General Manager (RGM). Her climb up the career ladder was steady as she next served as a Market Training Manager (MTM) and Region Training Leader (RTL) before landing her current position as an AC of DDO Taco Bells in Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix, AZ.

“I love every time, every position,” she shares. “I always give my best.”

“My career has been successful because of the mentorship in our company. We have great people.”

– MaElena Garcia, Taco Bell Area Coach

MaElena on Mentoring

MaElena was named Rookie RGM of the Year her first year as a restaurant manager, and she’s a repeat Golden Bell winner. Her commitment to stellar performance and her team is clear.

She speaks of the importance of mentoring. “At some point, you don’t believe you can do the job … but they see your commitment,” she shares of leadership. When asked how she’s felt supported throughout the years, she says she’s always had a mentor behind her.

Now, she’s committed to helping others the way she’s been helped. “As people were mentors to me, that is my goal for others.” She believes people are often capable of more than they think. 

“I show them how they can get to a goal,” she says. “I make them believe that they can do it!”

“DDO inspired me [to] be the best you can be.”

-MaElena Garcia, Taco Bell Area Coach

Another tenet of MaElena’s leadership style is switching things up, which may seem counterintuitive, but she believes it builds stronger teams. “Every year I reinvent myself,” she explains. “I change my approach, my leadership … to keep my team engaged.”

She goes on to give examples – she may change her communication format, meeting frequency or type,  or make updates to the recognition program. The ultimate goal is more team engagement.

“I make them feel part of the team,” she says. “Make them feel part of the success of the store.”

“That culture we create inside the stores makes you feel like a family, not just a business,” she adds.

Family Ties

Away from the restaurants, MaElena has been busy raising a family of five. She says family is her true source of inspiration. And in DDO, a family-oriented company, she’s found the means to balance work and life.

Above all, this amazing leader is very grateful to be here. And we are very lucky for the way MaElena pours herself into her role as an AC. We look forward to many more years together!