MEET OUR 40 UNDER 40 HONOREE: KAITLIN FEBLES

MEET OUR 40 UNDER 40 HONOREE: KAITLIN FEBLES

Earlier this year, the University of Georgia announced the 2023 40 Under 40 honorees. The winners include 9 graduates with SPIA degrees. 40 Under 40 celebrates young alumni leading the pack in their industries and communities. Learn more about our Honoree Kaitlin Febles, Principal Category Lead at Chick-fil-A, Inc.

What was your favorite SPIA class or favorite SPIA professor?
Strategic Intelligence with Fred Manget (who worked for the CIA)

What was your favorite study spot as a student?
MLC – just the right balance of studying and seeing friends

What obscure thing are you talented at?
I (almost) never delete an email, and I usually take notes in meetings, so when co-workers are trying to recall random decisions/conversations/details from the past, I’m their girl

What is one weird fact or tidbit that you still remember from school?
The first words of my Microeconomics class were, “Microeconomics is the study of how people make decisions.” I still think about that all the time!

What one superpower would you give to everyone in the world? How would the world change?
Knowing what others around them needed most in that moment. If we actually acted on that knowledge as much as we were able, I can only imagine how much less sadness, rudeness, and hurt there might be.

Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why?
Scotland. My husband and I love England, but we want to explore the rest of the UK.

If you could have dinner with one famous person, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
Jesus

What is one piece of advice you have for current SPIA students?
Live for the things that matter most (and will for eternity). Make decisions you’ll be proud to share when you’re retelling your college experience. Prioritize doing what you can uniquely do in these four (or 5+) years in Athens. Hold your plans loosely (because life throws curves). As much as it’s possible (in internships, job shadowing, or part-time work), get firsthand exposure to the career you think you want. Love sincerely. Serve sacrificially. Keep your eyes open for unexpected opportunities. Don’t network – make friends. Let college teach you how to manage competing responsibilities well. Take things one step at a time.


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