Catherine Tan-Gillespie, who became KFC’s US president in April 2025, began her restaurant career washing dishes. She was 13 when she joined Beefeater in the UK, earning £1.20 an hour. She later became an assistant general manager. The first person in her family to attend university, she studied business at the University of Plymouth and graduated in 1996.
Throughout her career, Tan-Gillespie focused on opportunities to learn rather than higher pay or impressive titles. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson became her role model because she admired his creativity and approach to customers and employees. She left companies whose working culture did not allow her to express her personality. By contrast, KFC’s culture attracted her. She joined in 2015 to lead marketing—work promoting the business—in Australia and New Zealand. She became its global marketing chief in 2017, led KFC Canada in 2024, and then took charge of the US business.
Tan-Gillespie respects young people’s willingness to express their views and ask for opportunities. She encourages them to speak up for themselves and others, even when they feel uncomfortable. Her advice is not to wait until fear disappears before taking a chance. When making a difficult decision, she recommends considering the worst possible outcome rather than allowing fear to prevent action.
