Tag: 40 Under 40

40 Under 40 Honoree Profile: Mallory O’Brien

Posted on by Morgan Jones

Congratulations to Mallory O’Brien (ABJ ’12), Senior Manager for Global Corporate Brand Marketing at GE. She is a Grady College alumna and honoree for this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class.

O’Brien graduated from the college with a degree in Mass Media Arts. She studied abroad for two summers during her time in college — once in Australia for media and production and once in France for global advertising and marketing.

Since graduating, O’Brien has worked for well-known brands including UPS, Kohler, Colgate-Palmolive and General Electric. Apart from her work, she volunteers with Hudson River Park Friends to enhance and care for New York City’s parks through gardening and environmental clean-up. She also volunteers with Meals on Wheels and the Read Ahead program.

Following are responses O’Brien provided about her experiences at UGA and working in the industry.

Mallory O'Brien standing on red carpeted stairs at the Cannes Lions Film Festival.
O’Brien’s experience at the Cannes Festival of Creativity gave her insight into how a global brand can impact individual consumers. She views this as a key moment that solidified her career choice.
What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

Dr. Tom Reichert’s ADPR class introduced me to the magic of advertising and brand storytelling. It was this Grady coursework and professor that inspired me to apply to attend the Cannes Festival of Creativity study abroad program. I credit my experiential learning as an invaluable career awakening that completely shaped my journey to corporate America to work for some of the world’s most beloved brands. Not many people can speak to an exact moment that completely crystallized their career aspirations, but I can. The opportunity of access and exposure to an industry at the highest level opened my eyes to the intimately emotional impact a giant global brand can have on a person. Owing my career to UGA Grady and studying abroad makes giving back to the university effortless. I’m always looking for reasons to talk about UGA and how the experiences it offered me got me to where I am today.

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

Being yourself is your strongest asset. How many times have you heard people say, “Just be yourself” to the point of wanting to roll your eyes? It’s such a good reminder for students in their 20s to hear though. At that stage, you can get fixated on making connections by force-fitting yourself to be like everyone else. What I’ve learned is that standing out and staying real is what really draws people to you.

Two women posing with a GE poster.
O’Brien (right) celebrating the GE x NYT Takeover at the New York Times Printing Press, 2022.
What skill(s) or advice should graduates and young alumni have for success early in their careers?

Always show up with a point of view. In my experience, the employees who rise through the ranks the quickest are not necessarily the ones who get to work first or stay the latest. People will be more impressed by a unique perspective shared in a meeting than your willingness to respond to an email at 10 p.m. Never forget the value of your opinion and the work you do. Make sure you don’t forget, always capture your work output and document your successes. Even if for your own self-worth, it also makes conversations about promotions much easier.

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

When I worked at Colgate-Palmolive, I had one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments when my alma matter and work collided. UGA was gearing up to host Notre Dame (also known as the Fighting Irish) and as a lighthearted way to spark rivalry, a local Georgia grocery store rid their shelves of Irish Spring products. The local action made national headlines which brought one of my company’s brands (Irish Spring) front page news. We had a viral moment on social media that then manifested into a paid media partnership with ESPN’s College Game Day, onsite activations at the actual game day, and millions of impressions and positive sentiment for the brand. Agile marketing opportunities that allow your brand to be culturally relevant in a surprising and unexpected way is always such a good time, but it was extra special that it involved UGA.

What do you believe is your biggest strength and how has it helped you in your current role?
O'Brien posing with Hairy Dawg.
O’Brien has a fond appreciation for UGA and Grady College specifically. She poses with Hairy Dawg at her first football game in 2008.

Relationship building. I like to think that I’m never too cool, but always warm. My enthusiasm to make people comfortable and connected is embedded into my passion for leading the alumni chapter here in NYC and my successes at work. My favorite thing to do is bring different groups together for a common purpose. Together is always better.

Favorite Podcast

New York Magazine’s Pivot podcast hosted by Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway.

One job-related tool you can’t live without

As simple as it seems, my work calendar. I protect my time by booking meetings with myself to ensure I’m as productive as possible.

Favorite restaurant in Athens

It’s very hard to go wrong with the peanut butter bacon burger at Clocked.

Favorite place you’ve traveled

Domestically, I’d say Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Internationally, it may have to be Cape Town, South Africa.
Item on your bucket list: Visiting all 7 continents would be amazing, but climate change isn’t making travel to Antarctica any easier!

 

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. Grady College alumni honored in 2023 include:

  • Kim Gebbia Chappell (ABJ ’06)
  • Kaitlin Miller Febles (ABJ ’13) *
  • Christina P. Koebel (ABJ ’07)
  • Mallory O’Brien (ABJ ’12)
  • Mandy Rodgers (ABJ ’08, AB ’08)
  • Stacy Willingham (ABJ ’13)

Please plan to join us on Friday, Sept. 22, for a breakfast reception to help welcome them home. We will gather in PAF 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. All faculty, staff and students are invited.

* Will not be in attendance

40 Under 40 honoree profile: Christina Koebel

Posted on by Jackson Schroeder

Congratulations to Christina Koebel (ABJ ’07), Chief of Staff to the CEO at The Weather Company, an IBM Business. Koebel is a Grady College alumna and an honoree in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 Under 40 class.

A photo of Christina Koebel standing in front of a IBM billboard in Cannes, France.
Over the past few years, Koebel has attended the Cannes Lions Festival for Creativity in Cannes, France. Here she is outside her company’s gallery activation in Cannes as part of the festival.

Koebel began her career at an advertising agency, then worked in strategic planning at Turner Broadcasting, before transitioning to The Weather Company, where she has worked in a variety of roles and won numerous awards over the past 13 years.

Outside of her role at The Weather Company, Koebel is currently working on her first fiction novel and is heavily involved in her community. She serves as a volunteer engagement coordinator with the American Red Cross, supports the nearly one million adults in the US living with MS (multiple sclerosis) through advocating and fundraising, and volunteers as a literacy helper at her children’s elementary school, assisting kindergarten children with reading in a one-on-one setting.

Following are responses she provided about her experiences at UGA and working in the industry.

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’d learned more about public relations. As consumers, we gravitate toward brands, companies and people we admire and trust, but rarely get a peek behind the curtain into the care that’s taken to ensure their values and external messages are consistent. Adding in the element of crisis management makes savviness in public relations more important than ever. Even if you don’t have P.R. in your title, better understanding how to approach problems and measure risk is critical, especially at a time when a seemingly innocent mistake can result in a sea of headlines that even Scandal’s Olivia Pope can’t fix.

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

Without question, being a part of Newsource. I didn’t fully appreciate it at the time, but what I learned through that experience allowed me to stand out early in my career. In addition to teaching us how to tell a story with accuracy and integrity, it forced us to respect deadlines, be accountable to a team, and be decisive under pressure.

Koebel on the monitors during a show she was anchoring for Grady Newsource.
What would you tell your 20-year-old self?

Growth happens at the intersection of opportunity, difficulty and perseverance.

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

It’s okay not to have all the answers or a defined path to what comes next—the best adventures rarely do. Find your strengths early on, prioritize non-transactional relationships and contribute to something that feeds your sense of purpose. If something seems impossible, try anyway; if you fail, give yourself grace and try again. Embrace acronyms.

Is there a piece of advice from one of your Grady College professors that still guides you today?

Always assume your mic is hot.

How do you get inspired?

When I need creative inspiration, I ask my kindergartener outrageous questions and listen to what equally outrageous responses she dreams up. Exchanging these what if scenarios challenge that voice inside saying, “that would never happen” or “don’t be ridiculous.” Adults tend to poke holes in ideas before they’re fully formed, whereas children’s imaginations are slower to self-censor. It’s a reminder that we’re all capable of raw, unleashed creativity. It’s up to us to resurrect it.

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

I listen more than I speak. As a Chief of Staff, the strength of active listening allows me to connect the dots between information that isn’t inherently obvious. I’m better able to identify opportunities for collaboration or spot a dependency that was missed. Active listening also results in stronger self-awareness and emotional intelligence which foster trust. The impact of a CoS is highly dependent on trust and genuine relationships within the business. Active listening is the broccoli of superpowers—we know the positive impact it can have, but are often tempted by the faster, cheaper ways of communicating and building relationships. But it makes all the difference in the world.

Favorite Podcast

Right now, I’m enjoying “Owned with Rex Chapman”, an unfiltered view into the world of professional sports team ownership.

One job-related tool you can’t live without

My reMarkable e-writing table

Favorite restaurant in Athens

The National

Favorite place you’ve traveled

Chile

Item on your bucket list

Become a published author

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. Grady College alumni honored in 2023 include:

  • Kim Gebbia Chappell (ABJ ’06)
  • Kaitlin Miller Febles (ABJ ’13) *
  • Christina P. Koebel (ABJ ’07)
  • Mallory O’Brien (ABJ ’12)
  • Mandy Rodgers (ABJ ’08, AB ’08)
  • Stacy Willingham (ABJ ’13)

Please plan to join us on Friday, Sept. 22, for a breakfast reception to help welcome them home. We will gather in PAF 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. All faculty, staff and students are invited.

* Will not be in attendance

40 Under 40 honoree profile: Mandy Rodgers

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

Congratulations to Mandy Rodgers (ABJ ’08, AB ’08), a Grady College alumna and an honoree in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 Under 40 class.

Rodgers is the founder and CEO of Mandy Kay Marketing, a digital marketing agency specializing in entertainment and film publicity. MKM creates, manages and executes publicity, influencer marketing, grassroots, and partnerships/promotional campaigns on a local and national level. Her current clients include Netflix, Universal Pictures, WarnerMedia, among others.

Prior to starting her agency, Rodgers worked for 11 years at Think Jam, an LA-based digital marketing agency. She has written for a number of entertainment and leisure publications including The Star Celeb, LA’s The Place Media and TheCelebrityCafe.com, among others.

Rodgers majored in magazines at Grady College and film studies at Franklin College while at UGA. She was involved with The Red & Black and UGAzine.

She currently serves as the Engagement Committee Chair for the Women of UGA alumni council.

Following are responses she provided about her experiences at UGA and working in the industry.

What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?
Mandy Rodgers holds up a press credential from the Cannes Film Festival.
Rodgers calls her trip to Cannes when she was a Grady College student, a game-changer. “That opened my eyes to all sorts of career paths in the film world beyond just making movies,” Rodgers said.

First of all, getting into Grady College was a huge deal for me, so even doing this Q&A with y’all is so fun! I was dead set on pursuing magazine journalism, and when I got accepted into that exact major, I was over the moon. It felt like I was on the right track, officially. Dr. Janice Hume’s classes were real eye-openers. They gave me practical skills and insights about the industry that I still use today. And, even though it wasn’t part of Grady specifically, my time at The Red & Black newspaper was a blast and incredibly beneficial. I got to write movie reviews, chat with local musicians and help promote new bars and restaurants. It was a fun experience that definitely set me up for my future in entertainment. Then there was the game-changer: the Cannes Film Festival study abroad program. That opened my eyes to all sorts of career paths in the film world beyond just making movies. Plus, I made some amazing friends there who were just as into watching as many movies in one day as I was. Several of us ended up moving to LA after college, and that group grew to include more Grady grads in SoCal. These friends are now like my second family. Having that Grady connection in a far-off city like LA made living across the country a lot less daunting. And we got to watch football games together!

What advice do you have for graduates and young alumni for success early in their careers?

I can’t stress enough how important relationships are in any career and just across life! I think networking as a term can have a bad connotation, but creating genuine relationships with people in your classes, at your internships, at your part-time job, through extracurriculars, is incredibly important. You don’t have to do it in a disingenuous way either — just build real relationships and learn from everyone you can.

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

I have so many, but starting my own business is definitely one of the standouts!

It’s funny, I never saw myself as a business owner, but my career just naturally shifted in that direction until I had to finally listen to everyone and embrace it. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the biggest entertainment brands in the world, meet my own personal heroes, and do things that would totally impress Baby Mandy. Deciding to take the plunge and venture out on my own, leveraging the connections I’d made and the experience I’d gained, to create something under my own name and on my own terms – that’s been an amazing journey. I’m still navigating this new path, so I can’t predict exactly where it’ll go, but the fact that things are clicking and moving in a successful direction is pretty mind-blowing. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s supported me through this, and I’m happy to say that somehow owning a business has brought me a better work-life balance and a more positive mindset overall.

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

I am lucky that I get to work in a role that I absolutely love, so these come easier to me, but I believe that my curiosity, enthusiasm and passion for what I do are huge strengths. I am always wanting to learn everything I can about the media/marketing/entertainment industries, what my clients and competitors are doing and I also make sure to keep the fan perspective alive – remembering why I fell in love with this stuff in the first place. I have booked work based on my enthusiasm for the brand or subject alone. It’s something that you can’t fake.

Are you currently working in your “dream job”? If not, what is your dream role?

Yes and no. I really wanted to write for an entertainment magazine — I still love actual magazines! I started my career in Los Angeles doing that for a few small blogs and websites, and then I fell into publicity, which is really the other side of what I thought I would do. My first PR job was in music publicity, and when I got into film and entertainment PR, I really found my niche! Ultimately, I wanted to find a job where I got paid to watch and talk about movies, and I really have done that and so much more. So I am definitely living the dream — it just looks a little different from what I originally envisioned.

Mandy Rodgers poses for a picture representing Harry Potter
Mandy Kay Marketing represents a variety of entertainment including films, television shows and even exhibitions like the Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta that she worked on through Imagine Exhibitions.
Favorite Podcast

I actually don’t listen to podcasts as much as you’d think, but the ones I am currently tuning into are celebrity interview ones like “Let’s Talk Off Camera” with Kelly Ripa.

One job-related tool you can’t live without

Google! I think learning how to research properly, look things up and learn on your own when you need to is so important.

Favorite restaurant in Athens

How can you choose? Mama’s Boy, Last Resort, The Globe, and can I say Jittery Joe’s coffee?

Favorite place you’ve traveled

I’ve been to some truly amazing places, but I have to say Italy is just the best. Incredible food, fantastic people and just beautiful everywhere you look!

Item on your bucket list

I want to eventually go to all of the Disney parks in the world! Tokyo DisneySea in Japan is on the top of my list.

Best way to connect

I am happy for people to follow/add me:

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. Grady College alumni honored in 2023 include:

  • Kim Gebbia Chappell (ABJ ’06)
  • Kaitlin Miller Febles (ABJ ’13) *
  • Christina P. Koebel (ABJ ’07)
  • Mallory O’Brien (ABJ ’12)
  • Mandy Rodgers (ABJ ’08, AB ’08)
  • Stacy Willingham (ABJ ’13)

Please plan to join us on Friday, Sept. 22, for a breakfast reception to help welcome them home. We will gather in PAF 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. All faculty, staff and students are invited.

* Will not be in attendance

 

40 Under 40 honoree profile: Kaitlin Miller Febles

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

We are proud to recognize Kaitlin Miller Febles (ABJ ’13) as an honoree of this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 Under 40 class.

Febles is a principal category lead at the Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She joined Chick-fil-A shortly after graduating from UGA, and has served in a number of roles in the organization including hospitality program lead and menu & packaging senior project consultant.

Febles was a triple major at UGA graduating with degrees in public relations, international affairs and economics. While at UGA, she actively served with a number of groups including Student Government Association, Sphinx and as a campus tour leader. She was a member of the Dean William Tate Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa, among other honors.

In 2020, Febles earned a Master of Biblical and Theological Studies degree at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Following are responses from Febles to questions asked about her experience at UGA and what drives her work ethic.

Kaitlin Febles hands a Chick-fil-A sample to a UGA student.
Febles hands a Chick-fil-A sample to a UGA student. She has progressively climbed the leadership ranks at Chick-fil-A since joining the company in 2013.
What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

Professor Barry Hollander, who we lost in 2018 to thyroid cancer, instilled in us a relentless drive for writing excellence – grammar, punctuation, spelling, and otherwise. I think that has impacted my communication in every job since, and a lot of roles outside of work, too – whether in articles, presentations or emails. Mistakes will happen. But he taught us to approach our writing with intentionality, precision, and care …and it still makes me nervous to imagine him proofreading these answers.

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

Hold your plans loosely. Some things you’re expecting won’t happen, and some things you could have never imagined will instead. Embrace the outcomes you can’t control and live them to the hilt. Love your people deeply. Keep your eyes open for new opportunities, but never at the expense of being faithful with what’s entrusted to you today. Be sure your life, and calendar, reflect your highest priorities. Anytime you feel overwhelmed, focus on doing the next right thing…and then the next one again after that. Pray for wisdom, humility and power in weakness to the God who promised to give them.

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

First, don’t underestimate the compounding interest of long-arc faithfulness. In a world that defaults to, or even applauds, jumpiness and newness more often than consistency and perseverance, it’s remarkable to stay devoted to people and responsibilities for the long-haul – especially when it’s difficult, frustrating or boring. Devote yourself to being a good keeper of the opportunities in your hands today and run your race with servant-hearted endurance. Others tend to realize that those who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much.

Second, don’t network — make friends. As you walk through the hallways of your office, make eye contact with the people you pass and say hello. Use the couple of minutes on the elevator or walking in from the parking lot to speak to those beside you. Know the custodians in your building by name. I’ve never had a new role or experience come from a networking interaction aimed at my own self-centered interests. But I’ve had some amazing relationships and invitations from people I sincerely wanted to know and was never looking to get anything from.

Finally, I’m convinced two of the most remarkable traits that set people apart in workplaces, organizations, or anywhere else, are excellence and kindness. As to excellence, care for your work with diligence. No responsibility has to consume your life – count the cost of what you are agreeing to lead. But once you’ve agreed, follow through on your promise. Answer the email on time. Submit the report with everything they requested, and maybe a few things they didn’t, but will appreciate. Proofread that presentation again. Be punctual. Take notes. Stay to the end. And do it all with kindness. Smile at people. Remember their names, and the names of their family members, too. Ask about their weekend. Thank them for their work. Call out people’s talents. Overflow gratitude, not grumbling. Be a trustworthy confidant, encourager, and friend.

Kaitlin Febles and a work colleague hold signs in the TODAY Show Plaza.
Katilin Febles (left) and a work colleague promoting Chick-fil-A at the TODAY Show Plaza.
What inspires you?

Reminding myself of the “why” that’s driving my work and of the people I get to do it with is always a fresh wind in my sails. I work for an organization with a corporate purpose I deeply believe in: “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that’s entrusted to us, and to have a positive impact on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” I also work with people I sincerely respect and admire. I hope it’s true that you become like those you surround yourself with, because I would be thrilled to know they’re rubbing off on me.

What does success mean to you?

Success is living toward the end of what I want to be remembered for and what kinds of things I want to be said at my funeral. It’s not a list of the job titles I’ve held, although I’m grateful for my work. It’s not our net worth, although I’m grateful we have what we need. It’s not the clothes I wore, or the house we owned, or the miles I ran, or how many books I read, or how full my calendar was. I hope to be known for loving God and loving people with everything I had in ways I was uniquely created to do.

A group of people in front of Tower Bridge in London.
Febles cites London as a favorite place she has traveled. She traveled to London with other Chick-fil-A staff members and operators as a part of the non-profit Lifeshape, for which she serves on the advisory board.
Favorite Podcast 

“That Sounds Fun” with Annie F. Downs – who is actually a fellow UGA grad!

One job-related tool you can’t live without

My Outlook calendar – generally-speaking, I hope I’m still running it, because day-to-day, it definitely runs me.

Favorite restaurant in Athens

Cali N Titos – chicken tacos and a side of maduros (aka plantains).

Favorite place you’ve traveled

London – I’ve been for both work and fun, and it’s still my favorite.

Item on your bucket list

Build a life with my husband that we love and are proud of.

 

 

 

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. Grady College alumni honored in 2023 include:

  • Kim Gebbia Chappell (ABJ ’06)
  • Kaitlin Miller Febles (ABJ ’13) *
  • Christina P. Koebel (ABJ ’07)
  • Mallory O’Brien (ABJ ’12)
  • Mandy Rodgers (ABJ ’08, AB ’08)
  • Stacy Willingham (ABJ ’13)

Please plan to join us on Friday, Sept. 22, for a breakfast reception to help welcome them home. We will gather in PAF 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. All faculty, staff and students are invited.

* Will not be in attendance

 

40 Under 40 honoree profile: Stacy Willingham

Posted on by Morgan Jones

We are proud to recognize Stacy Willingham (ABJ ’13) as an honoree of the UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 class.

Willingham became a New York Times bestselling author with her debut novel, “A Flicker in the Dark.” Her novel was chosen as a finalist in multiple awards: Book of the Year finalist by Book Club of the Month, “Best Debut” and “Best Mystery & Thriller” finalist for the 2022 Goodreads Awards and “Best First Novel” Award finalist for the International Thriller Writers Association.

One year after publishing her first novel, Willingham released her second thriller novel, “All the Dangerous Things,” and her newest work, “Only If You’re Lucky,” will be released in January 2024.

Willingham started her career as a copywriter and brand strategist in various agencies after graduating from Grady College with a degree in magazine journalism. She wrote manuscripts in her free time and was a freelance writer for CURE Magazine. She decided to pursue writing fiction full time when she received her first book deal.

We are pleased to highlight Willingham in her own words.

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
Willingham speaking to a large crowd about her novel, "A Flicker in the Dark."
Willingham attends events promoting her novels. (Photo: Submitted)

Have confidence in yourself and the fact that things will work out the way they’re supposed to.

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

Be flexible and try your best to make the most out of every situation. Life rarely works out the way you think it will, or the way you plan for when you’re fresh out of college. My love for fiction and desire to become a novelist came to me gradually as my career unfolded in a way I hadn’t originally planned—but if life hadn’t veered me off course like that, so many wonderful things probably never would have happened. Now, I’m grateful for all the jobs I applied for that I didn’t get, the opportunities I wanted but wasn’t awarded, because I can’t imagine doing anything other than this.

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

I tend to answer this question with “becoming a New York Times bestselling author,” but when I really consider it, I think the proudest moment of my career thus far was actually when I secured my first book deal. It was such a grind to get there, and there were many days, months and years along the way when I thought it would never happen. I’ll never forget the flood of emotions when my agent got our first offer and I finally knew it had all paid off. There was excitement, of course, but also fear, relief, disbelief and such a feeling of pure, unvarnished pride at having never given up.

How do you get inspired?

By reading the words of other authors I look up to. When I find a book that just leaves me in awe of their craft, I feel so inspired and motivated to improve.

Two women posing for a picture.
Willingham enjoys speaking at schools and community nonprofits to help creatives understand how to enter the publishing industry. (Photo: Submitted)
What do you believe is your biggest strength and how has it helped you in your current role?

I’m very competitive with myself. It can be a curse sometimes, because that also means I’m very hard on myself, but it helps me in my role because I tend to power through failure and refuse to give up. If I don’t like the way I’ve written a scene, or a character, or a twist, or even an entire book, there’s just something in me that can’t stand to turn it in before I’m completely satisfied. I’m obsessed with improving.

What does success mean to you?

Being able to make a living doing the thing I love feels, to me, like the highest form of success. In addition to that, I just strive to be continually content with the life I’m building and proud of the things I put out in the world.

Two women sitting in front of a crowd during a panel discussion.
Willingham uses her platform to give back to her community by dedicating her time, books and expertise to nonprofits like the Trident Literacy Association. (Photo: Submitted)
Are you currently working in your “dream job”? If not, what is your dream role?

Yes, I’m happy to say I’m working my dream job.

Favorite Podcast?

I tend to gravitate towards audiobooks more than podcasts, but a recent favorite is “Rabbit Hole” by The New York Times.

One job-related tool you can’t live without

Good ol’ fashioned Microsoft Word.

Favorite restaurant in Athens

Last Resort, of course! I dream about their praline chicken and cheesecake.

Favorite place you’ve traveled

It’s a toss-up between Santorini and the Sahara Desert.

Item on your bucket list

I’d love to go on a safari in Africa.

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. Grady College alumni honored in 2023 include:

  • Kim Gebbia Chappell (ABJ ’06)
  • Kaitlin Miller Febles (ABJ ’13)
  • Christina P. Koebel (ABJ ’07)
  • Mallory O’Brien (ABJ ’12)
  • Mandy Rodgers (ABJ ’08, AB ’08)
  • Stacy Willingham (ABJ ’13)

Please plan to join us on Friday, Sept. 22, for a breakfast reception to help welcome them home. We will gather in PAF 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. All faculty, staff and students are invited.

40 Under 40 honorees visit Grady College

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
five 40 U 40 honorees and Darby Taylor in PAF for 40 U 40 panel
Darby Taylor moderated “A Message to my Younger Self” panel. (Photo:Jackson Schroeder)

Five Grady College graduates named to the UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 class attended the “A Message to my Younger Self” panel on Friday, Sept. 9, offering insight to current students about their paths to success.

Emily Curl (ABJ ’14), Lauren Culbertson Grieco (ABJ ’09), Chad Mumm (ABJ ’08), Kevin Schatell (ABJ ’16) and Michael Waldron (ABJ ’10) attended. Christie Johnson (ABJ ’07) was not able to attend the panel.

Dean Davis welcomed the alumni and students, saying the honorees exhibit “the leadership of this college and the careers that people launch from this college.”

Darby Taylor, a fourth year entertainment and media studies student and Grady Ambassador, moderated. The following are highlights of questions from Taylor and attending students, along with select responses from honorees.

What is one piece of advice you would tell your younger self about breaking into various areas of the industry?

Mumm: “Don’t be afraid to just go out and do it. Pick up a camera or write a screenplay. Use your early part of your career to make those mistakes. I think my biggest mistake probably was I felt like I had to do it all myself. When I moved to New York, I wanted to do it all on my own and I didn’t ask for help, but I wish I would have.”

Emily Curl smiles at Kevin Schatell
Emily Curl and Kevin Schatell have remained best friends after working together at the UGA Visitors Center as undergraduates. (Photo:Jackson Schroeder)

Grieco: “I completely agree with asking for help. If you want to work in the field of politics, the beginnings can be pretty brutal, but they’re totally fun and worth it. I worked on a campaign, but another option would be to get an internship or entry-level role on Capitol Hill.”

Curl: “I think what I would tell myself looking back is just take your time and don’t worry so much. I think it takes a long time to find your voice and to find out what you want to say and what you want to put out into the world.”

Schatell: “One of the best pieces of advice I got working in my first job was ‘You have nothing to prove, only to share.’ This has stuck with me, and it reminds me that your worth is not in what other people think of you, you just have skills and experiences to share. Something else I wish I would have developed early on is the art of asking good questions. As a producer, it’s all about asking the right questions and being genuinely curious.”

Waldron: “When working on projects, it’s easy to have a creative idea. But, to actually start something and to see it all the way through is where the brilliance in any creative work comes from. I think the earlier in your careers, if you can learn the value of just finishing things, that’s hugely important. The other thing is to know what you want to do and tell people that. Even when I was changing toilet seats, I made sure that everybody at ‘Rick and Morty’ knew I wanted to be a writer. Don’t be afraid to call your shots.”

All of you made a big geographic move after graduation. What tips do you have for students who want to move to big cities such as New York or L.A. after graduating?

Waldron: “Spending time here in Athens is amazing, but by moving away, you will grow as a person in ways you simply can’t imagine. Just getting out to another part of the country and other parts of the world is the best thing you can do.”

Grieco: “You will grow so much by getting different experiences. Travel has been one of those things I’ve done in my personal life that has made such an impact on my professional life. It really not only changes your perspective, but it also helps you reflect on who you are as a person and what you value. It gives you a completely a new new lens on life and the work that you do.”

What is the best way to reach out to alumni and build a connection with them?

Mumm: “With Dean Davis and all that the college has done, they’ve created so many opportunities here such as the mentorship program and Grady LA. When it comes to making connections, just ask for that intro. I get a lot of emails and introductions, and sometimes I miss it the first time around. Don’t hesitate to follow up. If someone is nice enough to connect you to someone else and they don’t respond right away, don’t be afraid to send a follow up note checking back in.”

Grieco: “Ask your professors. I’ve met so many people through Karen Russell and the dean.”

Waldron: “Never feel bad about following up again…I think anyone who went to Georgia, and especially those who are working in similar industries as us would be more than happy to talk to students.”

When you first started, what was your first major setback and how did you overcome it?

Schatell: “Moving to New York, although was the fulfillment of a dream of mine, was also pretty difficult. There was a season, especially toward the beginning, when I was slammed with anxiety. I’m not talking about the butterflies in your stomach because you’re excited kind of anxiety, but actual anxiety. I had to navigate learning to understand what was happening to my body when I had a panic attack, what was triggering it, and getting the help to fix that.”

Curl: “To quote my queen Kacey Musgraves, ‘You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but why would you want to be?’ I like that quote because when you’re in a public facing job, there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t get it – but there’s going to be someone who does, and there’s an audience for everyone. Keep perfecting your craft. People are going to tell you no, but you have to believe in yourself.”

Chad Mumm speaks at a Grady College panel
Mumm explains how he overcame the setbacks he experienced when moving to New York after graduation (Photo:Ashley Balsavias)

Waldron: “I wrote a spec episode for the show ‘Workaholics’, which I thought was super funny. It turns out that someone I knew happened to know the editor for the show, and I asked them to pass along my script to them. I then anxiously awaited the life-changing call saying ‘This the best script we’ve ever read, we’d like to bring you on, etc.’ But, I got an email back about two weeks later that was so scathing. I think the first sentence was ‘I don’t even know what to say,’ and it just got more punishing from there. The truth is, in any creative work, you fail 99 times a day, but you just got to get it right once. One good idea makes for a successful day. That was my first brush with serious rejection, and then I realized that it doesn’t kill you, it doesn’t really have any reflection on who you are as a person. Then you get up and you write a better script that isn’t a spec of ‘Workaholics’ and keep going.”

Mumm: “When I first moved to New York, it was at the height of the financial crisis. I was frustrated that I couldn’t get a job immediately. I was thinking that I would just walk into the city and immediately be on the 51st floor at NBCU. I remember walking around with resumes that I printed out bought very expensive paper for (because I thought that was going to matter), and I was going to HBO offices and NBCU, handing the security guards my resume. That didn’t work out of course, so I ended up taking a job for a commercial director who needed someone to change the toilets and clean the place…I get asked a lot by students what my goals are, and I honestly don’t have goals, I just have a direction. I just think, ‘Am I going north still?’ To me, that means pick your direction and stay at it. I think that kind of perseverance will take you super far. You just have to keep grinding and sticking with the things you believe in, and great things will happen.”

What was a moment in your career where you felt that you had “made it’?
Lauren Culbertson Greico speaks at the panel
One of Lauren Culbertson Greico’s defining moments in her career was arranging an interview between former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and former president Trump. (Photo:Ashley Balsavias)

Schatell: “For me, it was Dec. 8 of  2017. It was the day I arrived at work and Ed Sheeran was there, but so was Zac Efron. That was truly a milestone for me. I emcee the experience on our plaza every day, and every single one of the hundreds of people in that crowd knew how excited I was to meet that guy. It was one of those major ‘pinch me’ moments in my career. Whatever the ultimate dream is, it will happen, and your Dec. 8 of 2017 will come too.”

Grieco: “My ‘We’re not in Kansas anymore’ moment was when I staffed a meeting at the White House between our former CEO Jack Dorsey and former president Trump. I just sat there and I was like, ‘This is the most surreal moment of my life. How did Lauren from Marietta, Georgia, get here?'”

Mumm: “I don’t honestly have a moment that I could pinpoint as ‘the thing’. I like to use a stair analogy a lot. Sometimes you’re on the stairs, sometimes you’re on a landing, and you’ve just got to find more stairs. I like to think about it as one foot after the other.”

Curl: My ultimate dream was to work for E! News. I ended up auditioning for them and made it to the final rounds until I got a call from them saying they were going to go in a different direction. That was crushing, but looking back, I’m so glad I am where I am now and it all worked out. When I got the call from iHeartRadio, I got full body chills and started screaming. Something about that moment solidified it for me, where it was like, ‘Okay, I’m officially a host. I don’t have to pretend that this is a dream anymore. I’m actually doing it.’ All that is to say keep your options open – obviously have those goals and those dreams – but it’s okay to allow yourself the space that if those goals and dreams change, that’s going to be for the best for you too.

Thank you to our alumni for taking the time to offer students advice.

Editor’s Note: Please visit the Grady College YouTube page to view a video of the entire 40 under 40 panel discussion. Please visit the UGAGrady Flickr page to view pictures of the 40 under 40 panel.

 

  • Kevin Schatell and Emily Curl take a photo with Dean Davis. (Photo:Jackson Schroeder)

 

40 Under 40 honoree profile: Kevin Schatell

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
schatell sits at a table inside studio 1a of the TODAY show with CEO Jeff Shell
Schatell interviews Jeff Shell, CEO of NBCUniversal, inside studio 1A where TODAY  is anchored. (Photo:submitted)

We are proud to recognize Kevin Schatell (ABJ ’16) as an honoree of the UGA Alumni Association’s 40 under 40 class.

Schatell is an Emmy-winning producer for NBC’s TODAY show. He began his career by participating in the NBCUniversal Page program, working with assignments for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, WNBC’s Creative Services and NBCU’s Talent Development. Following this program, Schatell joined TODAY as an associate producer, and was promoted to a producer in 2021.

Schatell won his first Emmy in 2020, and has received multiple Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Awards at NBC for going and above and beyond on company projects.

We are pleased to highlight Schatell in his own words.

four people stand in front of Macy's in downtown New York City
Schatell with TODAY hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2021. (Photo:submitted)
What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

Serving as a Grady Ambassador changed my college experience. Once I joined that team, Grady transformed from an academic institution into a home. Dean Davis and his family welcomed the Grady Ambassadors over to their home for dinners each semester, which made me feel seen and valued as a student. That experience also connected me to Ben Mayer, a fellow Grady grad who became a mentor. Now, we’re both at NBC News – I’m a producer at TODAY, and Ben is a senior broadcast producer at NBC Nightly News. How wild that we both work together at 30 Rock? Relationships like that were made possible thanks to the Grady Ambassador program.

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

I wish I could tell my 20-year-old self these words of wisdom that a friend shared when I moved to New York City: “You have nothing to prove, only to share.” I think about that phrase whenever I get overwhelmed or anxious – in an interview, a stressful assignment, etc. “You have nothing to prove…” (Your worth is not determined by what other people think of you.) “…only to share.” (You simply have gifts, talents, experiences to share with the world.) So take the pressure off of yourself! It would’ve been encouraging to hear that earlier in my journey, and I hope that helps anyone reading this now.

What accomplishment or moment in your career are you most proud of?
Schatell, in a star sweater, moves his hands as he speaks at Grady College
Schatell is always willing to share advice to current students, whether over a Zoom conversation with a club, or stopping by campus for a short chat as he did in February 2022. (Photo: Sarah E. Freeman)

I recently had the privilege of sitting down with our NBCUniversal CEO, Jeff Shell, to launch a new series for NBCU employees called “Ask Jeff.” I hosted an interview with Jeff inside Studio 1A, in the seats where Savannah and Hoda anchor TODAY every morning. The whole experience was surreal, and it was an opportunity I’ll never forget!

What does success mean to you?

I currently define success with this question: “Would the younger version of myself be proud?” I like to imagine “young Kevin” getting a glimpse into my current world. To be honest, it makes me emotional! I’ve been fortunate enough to see and experience things that were once a far-off dream. So if I ever want to measure success, I just think about that younger version of myself, and how proud he’d be of the person I’ve become.

Are you currently working in your “dream job”? If not, what is your dream role?

My role is the definition of my “dream job.” I feel fulfilled, challenged, and motivated… all thanks to my team at TODAY, and the culture at NBCUniversal. Serving as the Plaza Producer, I oversee the audience for TODAY, while also producing interviews, segments, and concerts on the show. When that alarm goes off every morning, I wake up with a pep in my step. I don’t take for granted this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I’ve been given. I grew up watching TODAY with my family – and the fact that TODAY has become my family is beyond my wildest dreams.

Favorite Podcast? Making Space with Hoda Kotb (shameless TODAY plug, but nothing calms the soul & inspires quite like listening to a Hoda interview!)
One job-related tool you can’t live without: The app CapCut (great for editing videos on your phone)
Favorite restaurant in Athens: The Last Resort
Favorite place you’ve traveled: Maui, Hawaii
Item on your bucket list: Visit Australia (maybe the Brisbane Olympics in 2032?)

 

Schatell encourages students to connect with him on social media:

Instagram: @kevinschatell

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. GA graphic advertising Grady's 40 Under 40 alumni panel. rady College alumni honored in 2022 include:

  • Emily Curl (ABJ ’14)
  • Lauren Culbertson Greico (ABJ ’09)
  • Christie Johnson (ABJ ’07)
  • Chad Mumm (ABJ ’08)
  • Kevin Schatell (ABJ ’16)
  • Michael Waldron (ABJ ’10)

We will welcome five of the honorees back to Grady College on Friday, Sept. 9 for a “Message to My Younger Self” panel. Please join us in the Peyton Anderson Forum (room 238) at 10 a.m. A light breakfast will be offered.

40 under 40 honoree profile: Chad Mumm

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

We are proud to recognize Chad Mumm (ABJ ’08) as an honoree of the UGA Alumni Association’s 40 under 40 class. Mumm is co-founder and currently chief creative officer of Vox Media Services, Vox Media’s Los Angeles-based development, production and distribution division. He oversees Vox Media Studios’ work in developing, producing, and marketing modern television, film and digital programming.

Mumm was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Media in 2016 and one of Variety’s 30 Execs to Watch in Digital Entertainment in 2016. He won an Emmy Award in 2021 as one of the creators for a YouTube Originals documentary called “Creators for Change on Girls’ Education with Michelle Obama.”

Mumm graduated from UGA majoring in telecommunications (currently Entertainment and Media Studies) and religion. He was involved as a video shooter for NewSource, competed in Movie Fest and participated in the Oxford study abroad program (what he said was a “fundamental life-changing summer.”)

Before Vox, Mumm was a video production freelancer in New York and a producer at AOL.

Chad Mumm speaks into a microphone as Alex Wallace and Heather Adams watch on.
Chad Mumm (center) gives advice to students during a Membership Mixer in October 2019. The mixer was sponsored by the Grady Alumni Board in which Mumm, Alex Wallace (left) and Heather Adams (right), were serving in 2019. (Photo: Sarah E. Freeman)

Mumm has been an active participant in the Grady College Alumni Board for the past several years.

The following are excerpts from an interview with Mumm. They have been abbreviated for space and clarity.

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 that I would have taken an internship in LA when I was in school. I got an internship, but decided to stay in Athens and instead work on a short film with a professor because I wanted to do more hands-on production at the time. I was like really focused on being a director, and I just wanted to be around physical production and not be in the office reading scripts. I wish I would have done the LA internship because it would have given me a lot more exposure to what I do now at an earlier stage.

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
Taylor Potter and Chad Mumm stand next to one another at a Mentor Mixer
Chad Mumm said he wish he had reached out more to professors and alumni when he was a new graduate, and that is one reason he is active with the UGA Mentor program. He is pictured here meeting with his mentee, Taylor Potter (AB ’21), at a Membership Mixer in October 2019. (Photo: Sarah E. Freeman)

It’s okay to be patient and it’s okay to take some time for yourself. My whole life I had assumed that I would get out of college and immediately get a good job, start a career and then get married and have a family. Instead, I moved to New York and couldn’t find a job right away.

Also, it’s okay to ask for help. I didn’t really ask for any help. I kind of felt like it was on me to do it. I’m sure that there were professors who would have made introductions and at least would have helped out a little bit. Don’t be afraid to ask to ask for help, especially in the entry level for introductions.

What was the most memorable class you took while at Grady College?

The most impactful class that I took was a media theory class that was taught by Paul Hillier, who now teaches at the University of Tampa. It was the first class that I ever took that really taught popular entertainment, but from like an academic perspective. So much of my experience with college to that point was very academic, which meant you have to be serious. It was the first time I realized that you can learn from popular entertainment, and it was a class that included topics ranging from blockbuster movies to hit TV shows, but analyzed them from a craft perspective.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of proving how I could translate digital creativity and a sort of scrappy creator-driven mindset. That you can go from that to winning Emmys and making shows for HBO and Netflix and be part of that world by not having to go through the same channel to get there like many of my peers who started in the mail room or worked as an assistant. I always wanted to be doing stuff and making things.  I just like went where people would let me make stuff. It’s neat to sort of be able to be in an industry where I always saw myself and meaningfully make work that audiences and creative communities are very excited about.

Personally, the project I am probably most proud of is this golf show that I’m doing for Netflix right now just because it was just sort of a six-year long development project that I never gave up on. It doesn’t have a name yet, but it’s an all- access documentary series following professional golfers…like the “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” series, but for golf. I started working on it about six years ago and somehow was able to make it happen. It died 500 times in that six years and I just refused to let it go.

Favorite Podcast: 

No Laying Up (a podcast about golf)

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

Slack

Favorite restaurant in Athens?

Walker’s Pub

Favorite place you have been?

Bergen, Norway

Item on your bucket list?

Keep going North

Best way to connect?

Twitter @ChadMumm

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. GA graphic advertising Grady's 40 Under 40 alumni panel. rady College alumni honored in 2022 include:

  • Emily Curl (ABJ ’14)
  • Lauren Culbertson Greico (ABJ ’09)
  • Christie Johnson (ABJ ’07)
  • Chad Mumm (ABJ ’08)
  • Kevin Schatell (ABJ ’16)
  • Michael Waldron (ABJ ’10)

We will welcome the honorees back to Grady College on Friday, Sept. 9 for a “Message to My Younger Self” panel. Please join us in the Peyton Anderson Forum (room 238) at 10 a.m. A light breakfast will be offered.

40 under 40 honoree profile: Emily Curl

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

Congratulations to Emily Curl (ABJ ’14) on being named to this year’s class of 40 under 40 honorees by the UGA Alumni Association. Curl is the national and digital social host for iHeartRadio. She started her career working at Refinery29 as a production assistant, working her way up to an associate producer, and eventually a producer on the branded content team, working with brands including Ulta and the NFL. She worked as the red carpet correspondent for the show “Carpet Diem”. Curl became a full-time host for iHeart Radio in January of 2020. We are pleased to highlight Curl in her own words.

Curl smiles while interviewing singer Normani Kordei Hamilton
Curl interviewing singer and dancer Normani Kordei Hamilton. (Photo:submitted)
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?

Yes! Grady had such incredible opportunities to advance your skills outside of the classroom. Looking back on my experience, I wish I would have taken more advantage of the Grady Lab, the workroom that allowed you to practice your skills within the Adobe Creative Suite. For example, I still use Adobe Premiere and Photoshop in my job today, and I wish I would have perfected those skills while still in school. On the other hand, there are a few organizations I was involved in that still tremendously help me today and that’s working with UGA Orientation (where I was an orientation leader the summer of 2012), and working as a tour guide at the UGA Visitor’s Center all four years of UGA – those gave me some invaluable skills and were also some of my favorite memories of UGA! I can’t recommend it enough for other Grady College majors.

Emily poses in a silver dress, with cameras flashing on the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala
Curl poses at the 2022 Met Gala. (Photo:submitted)
What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

One of the most challenging and most rewarding experiences I had at Grady College was being a part of Grady Newsource. We spent the semester running a live newscast, writing scripts, shooting our own footage, pitching ideas and problem solving in the control room. Not only did it give me real life journalism experience, it also gave me lifelong friendships. My peers have gone on to do incredible things – we’re talking sports sideline reporters, ABC correspondents, news anchors in huge markets like Miami – and it’s so nice to have those people who truly understand the industry that you can call at any time. Even though we all went different paths in media, we all started in the same Grady newsroom and it’s inspiring to get to see where we are all now. Make it a priority to stay connected with fellow Grady grads – in the wild world of entertainment, seeing a familiar face makes all the difference.

Curl pictured with parents in front of UGA's honor college during her graduation
While at UGA, Curl worked as a tour guide for four years and was an orientation leader during the summer of 2012. (Photo:submitted)
What would you tell your 20-year-old self?

Chill. (Ha!) But honestly, the #1 piece of advice I tell students is that you are not running out of time. In fact, it’s the opposite. It takes a while to truly find your voice, to hone your skills and create things you’re really proud of. I spent over five years in production before I even got my first shot at being an on-camera talent. Those five years gave me the foundation to build off of — I understood production, I was a better co-worker and teammate, and being a better producer made for being a better host. Stay curious, ask questions, and take the time to absorb the knowledge of those who have done it before you. Don’t get discouraged just because someone on Instagram got there faster than you. Your time is coming. Make it worth it.

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

This past May, I attended the 2022 Met Gala and covered the buzziest moments from fashion’s biggest night. I’ve loved fashion for as long as I can remember, so to have that combined with my love of entertainment? (and let’s be real, Jack Harlow too) was unmatched. It was pure magic meeting with the biggest names in the industry and walking up the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art staircase in New York City. Getting to cover that event was a dream come true and I hope I’ll be back again this year!

four individuals pose in a lighted up hallway, emily curl pictured with rock band members from Maneskin
Curl with members of the rock band “Måneskin”. (Photo:submitted)
How do you get inspired?

With anything you do, there is always, always, always room for improvement. I remember watching an interview with Ed Sheeran, and someone asked him if growing up he was naturally this talented. Immediately he let out a laugh and a “no” and went on to say he practiced every single day. I like to do the same. I also get really inspired watching other people who are in my line of work doing their thing. Today Show’s Hoda Kotb is so effortlessly comforting and inclusive, Apple TV’s Zane Lowe’s listening and interviewing skills are unmatched, and I think Nikki Glaser is one of the funniest hosts of all time (if you’re not watching FBoy Island –you should!). I love working in an industry that constantly challenges me to get better and improve my skills, and I can’t wait to be on their level one day.

Curl holds up an iHeart radio card next to singer Sam Hunt in front of a spinning wheel for part of a game show event
Curl pictured with country music singer Sam Hunt at an event in Las Vegas. (Photo:submitted)
Favorite Podcast? Seek Treatment with Cat & Pat
One job-related tool you can’t live without: VSCO (not only can you edit photos, you can also create cool montage video/photo moments. It’s great to use when marketing yourself on social!)
Favorite restaurant in Athens: Trapeze (I always ask for an extra side of the raspberry ketchup).
Favorite place you’ve traveled: I just returned from Mykonos, Greece! It was absolutely unreal.
Item on your bucket list: Interview Taylor Swift (fingers crossed!)

 

 

Students are encouraged to connect with Emily Curl on social media:

Instagram: @emcurl

TikTok: @emdcurl

Twitter: @EmilyCurl

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. GA graphic advertising Grady's 40 Under 40 alumni panel. rady College alumni honored in 2022 include:

  • Emily Curl (ABJ ’14)
  • Lauren Culbertson Greico (ABJ ’09)
  • Christie Johnson (ABJ ’07)
  • Chad Mumm (ABJ ’08)
  • Kevin Schatell (ABJ ’16)
  • Michael Waldron (ABJ ’10)

We will welcome five of the honorees back to Grady College on Friday, Sept. 9 for a “Message to My Younger Self” panel. Please join us in the Peyton Anderson Forum (room 238) at 10 a.m. A light breakfast will be offered.

40 under 40 honoree profile: Lauren Culbertson Grieco

Posted on by Sarah Freeman
Lauren Culbertson Grieco with the late Sen. Johnny Isakson
Grieco served several communications roles for the late Sen. Johnny Isakson, starting with his re-election campaign. (Photo: courtesy of Lauren Culbertson Grieco)

Congratulations to Lauren Culbertson Grieco (ABJ ’09) on being named to this year’s class of 40 under 40 honorees by the UGA Alumni Association. Culbertson graduated from Grady College with a degree in advertising and is the head of U.S. public policy for Twitter, a role she has held since Fall 2020. She has worked at Twitter since 2017, following roles as a public affairs consultant and serving multiple communication roles for the late Sen. Johnny Isakson. While a student at UGA, Grieco was involved with a variety of activities including UGA HEROs, Blue Key Honor Society, Kappa Delta Sorority and serving as a Richard B. Russell Leadership Fellow.

Grieco took a few minutes from her schedule to answer some questions for us.

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

Dr. Karen Russell insisted (and graded as such!) that I learn how to Tweet; I secured my first job on a political campaign because I knew how to Tweet, and I now work at Twitter. It’s a powerful tool that can help your career if harnessed strategically.

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

You will always do your best work in the areas that interest you; don’t force things. If you find yourself misaligned, take it seriously and adjust accordingly.

What skills or advice should graduates and young alumni have for success early in their careers?

Surround yourself with good people. The leaders you work for influence your experience and development just as the organization in which you work. Prioritize working for people who you respect, want to emulate, and will invest in your growth. I have been fortunate to work for excellent leaders, and this has made all the difference.

Also, do the small tasks well so you will be entrusted with more significant responsibilities. You can’t skip to the good part right away.

What do you believe is your biggest strength and how has it helped you in your current role?
Lauren Culbertson Grieco talks with Jack Dorsey between meetings on Capitol Hill.
Lauren Culbertson Grieco talks with Jack Dorsey, co-founder and former CEO of Twitter, between Senate meetings. (Photo: courtesy of Lauren Culbertson Grieco)

I’m a problem-solver and will work collaboratively with anyone willing to work toward a solution. It has served me well working in politics.

What does success mean to you?

Success is being clear about your purpose and working towards it every day.

Favorite Podcast? Tech’ed Up
One job-related tool you can’t live without: Twitter (duh)
Favorite restaurant in Athens: Last Resort. Always.
Favorite place you’ve traveled: Hong Kong, Lapland, the Dolomites
Item on your bucket list: African safari
Lauren Culbertson Grieco speaks to a group.
Grieco served as a Kennedy Symposium speaker at Grady College in October 2019. (Photo: Sarah E. Freeman)

Six Grady College graduates are represented in this year’s UGA Alumni Association 40 under 40 class. GA graphic advertising Grady's 40 Under 40 alumni panel. rady College alumni honored in 2022 include:

  • Emily Curl (ABJ ’14)
  • Lauren Culbertson Greico (ABJ ’09)
  • Christie Johnson (ABJ ’07)
  • Chad Mumm (ABJ ’08)
  • Kevin Schatell (ABJ ’16)
  • Michael Waldron (ABJ ’10)

We will welcome five of the honorees back to Grady College on Friday, Sept. 9 for a “Message to My Younger Self” panel. Please join us in the Peyton Anderson Forum (room 238) at 10 a.m. A light breakfast will be offered.