Press Release

Carlos Ribas Joins Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Board of Trustees 

Foundation committed to finding permanent homes for more than 140,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems

Columbus, Ohio — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national, non-profit public charity, today welcomed Carlos Ribas to its board of trustees.  

Ribas has served as Senior Vice President, Managing Director Canada & LAC Regions since June 2023. Prior to this role, he served as Vice President and Managing Director, Latin America since 2012 and Caribbean Region and Vice President, International Strategic Initiatives since 2011. He leads all operational aspects of Wendy’s in countries across Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, ensuring the Company is at its best for both the customer and franchisee. 

“Supporting the Foundation as our charity of choice and the impact of adoption are woven into the fabric of the Wendy’s system. I’m excited to be a part of this board and help move the Foundation’s mission forward,” said Ribas. 

Ribas also supports his local community, including Casa Valentina Miami, which provides at-risk and former foster care youth with safe affordable housing and life skills so they achieve and maintain self-sufficiency, and his alma mater, Christopher Columbus Catholic High School, providing scholarships for underprivileged students. 

“Carlos’ transparent leadership approach and commitment to community are a dynamic pairing of strengths that will serve our board well,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “His strategic insights will be highly valued as we continue expanding the reach of our impact across North America.” 

Through its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provides funding to adoption agencies to support the hiring of adoption professionals, known as recruiters, who implement an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model. A rigorous, five-year evaluation revealed that the model is up to three times more effective at serving children who have been in foster care the longest, including teenagers, children with special needs and siblings. To date, more than 580 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters have found forever families for more than 15,000 children in foster care across North America.  

“I have so much respect for the work that the Foundation has done and will continue to do to change the lives of children waiting for a family,” said Ribas. 

Ribas earned his MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross Business School and a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida. He lives in Miami, Florida. 

About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption  

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding permanent homes for the more than 140,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking.To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org

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