KFC’s president started washing dishes at 13 but dreamt of being the ‘female Richard Branson’—so she quit jobs that wouldn’t embrace her personality

Catherine Tan-Gillespie became the president of KFC in the U.S. last year, but her path to the top was anything but conventional. Instead of chasing prestige or lucrative positions, she pursued roles that challenged her and allowed her to grow. Born in the U.K. to a nurse mother and a father who worked in lighting for the BBC, Tan-Gillespie's first job at 13 was washing dishes at Beefeater, a British restaurant chain.

This early exposure to the restaurant industry left a lasting impression, shaping her understanding of pressure, speed, teamwork, and the importance of maintaining one's unique personality. After graduating from the University of Plymouth with a business degree in 1996, Tan-Gillespie built a career in marketing, starting with an internship at HP and later working at companies such as Frito-Lay and Sony Pictures.

Throughout her career, she was inspired by Richard Branson, aiming to emulate his innovative and customer-focused approach. This ambition led her to leave companies where her personality didn't align with the culture, and she joined organizations like KFC and Yum! because of their culture. Tan-Gillespie's career trajectory includes roles such as the first assistant general manager of KFC, global chief marketing officer, and now, president of KFC's U.S. business.

Her strategy to revitalize KFC's American market involves connecting with younger consumers through partnerships with influencers like 21-year-old livestreamer iShowSpeed, as well as innovative menu items, branding, and store layouts. Despite KFC's sales decline in the U.S., with a 3% year-over-year drop in 2025, Tan-Gillespie remains focused on adapting to the changing consumer landscape.

In her role, she interacts with Gen Z regularly and admires their boldness and self-assuredness. To encourage young people, she advises following the advice from the 1987 self-help book "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway," emphasizing that courage involves feeling fear but still taking action. She encourages them to be true to themselves and advocate for the opportunities they desire, even when it's uncomfortable.