40 Under 40: Patrick Klibanoff

Editor’s Note: Patrick Klibanoff will participate in “A Message to My Younger Self” 40 under 40 panel on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. in the Peyton Anderson Forum.

Congratulations to Patrick Klibanoff (ABJ ’14, BBA ’14), on being named a 40 under 40 honoree by the UGA Alumni Association.

Klibanoff is a Grady College graduate and a senior product leader at The Walt Disney Company in New York City, where he leads the team responsible for personalized communications that reach Disney’s over 220 million subscribers. Previously, he held roles at Uber and KPMG, creating technology solutions for businesses across the country. Klibanoff continues his commitment to UGA, now serving as the president of the New York City Alumni Chapter, where he’s championed engagement and established a charter experiential learning scholarship for current UGA students.

Following are excerpts from a Q&A with Klibanoff.

Looking back at your time at Grady, is there anything you wish you had done (classes you had taken, skills you would have liked to have learned, clubs to be involved with) that would help you with what you are doing today?

I wish I had participated in the CURO Program to conduct faculty-mentored research. Grady has incredible faculty and CURO provides students with a fantastic opportunity to go deeper into the industry while building a close relationship with a faculty member outside of the classroom.

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?

Find every opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and don’t shy away from professors or courses that come with a harder reputation (Hey ADPR 3510 with Professor Sweetser)

What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

I would not have pursued a (dual) degree at Grady College had it not been for my time working at the The Red & Black and participating in the New Media Certificate. It was during my time at The Red & Black and in the NMI that I discovered my passion for communications, marketing technology and software development.

What skill(s) or advice should graduates and young alumni have for success early in their careers?

Look for in-person job opportunities as you get your career started—there is no better opportunity for immersive learning and development. The feedback and coaching I received from my leaders early in my career has continued to be invaluable, and I’ve built lifelong friendships with peers I met deep in the trenches.

What accomplishment or moment in your career are you most proud of?

I will never forget my time at Uber Eats during the beginning of COVID. Overnight, in person dining at restaurants closed across the globe and restaurants were looking for a lifeline to continue to operate their businesses. As the Restaurant Marketing Tech and Demand Generation lead at Uber Eats, I championed product and marketing initiatives which provided hundreds of thousands of restaurants with Uber-funded tools and support. Leading these cross functional initiatives across Uber, I was able to help local restaurants stay open and transform their business through digital delivery services.

What do you believe is your biggest strength and how has it helped you in your current role?

My biggest strengths are my communication skills, analytical rigor and curiosity. Storytelling is at the heart of what I do, and these are essential skills for developing and articulating the strategy and vision for the products my team develops at Disney.

Rapid Fire Round

Favorite Podcast?

The Town, Pivot and Acquired are top in my rotation.

One job-related tool you can’t live without?

Google Docs.

Favorite restaurant in Athens?

Clocked!

Favorite place you’ve traveled?

Machu Picchu.

Item on your bucket list?

Hike every National Park.

Editor: Sarah Kate Maher, skm01341@uga.edu