Building on a UofL Foundation: How Jennifer Brinkley Connected the Dots from Interior Design to Chick-fil-A Leadership

By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences 

Jennifer Brinkley’s experience as an undergraduate in the Interior Design program at the Hite Institute of Art + Design created the strong foundation in critical thought that led her to a high-powered corporate career, now at Chick-fil-A. 

“That experience instilled in me the perspective to be a critical thinker within this corporate environment,” Brinkley said. “I'm also able to connect dots in a way that allows me to be a value add in my current role, as well as various roles that I've held around the business.” 

Brinkley, who grew up in Atlanta, currently serves as a Senior Principal Leader at Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Support Center. Her journey—from UofL to a mix of intentional and unexpected career paths—reflects both professional growth and ongoing educational pursuit. 

Brinkley began her career in historic preservation and design after earning her bachelor's degree in interior design from UofL and a master’s in historic preservation from the University of Kentucky. She transitioned into construction management as a cost estimator before joining Chick-fil-A, where she has spent more than a decade advancing through leadership roles.  

Today, she guides large-scale design and development initiatives shaping Chick-fil-A's strategic growth. 

“Design can be very tactical, but at the same time, it equips me to be a critical thinker and solve problems in a way that allows me to create solutions for the business,” she states. “It's interesting because people say, ‘You went and studied historical architecture and then you worked in retail, and you worked in construction.’ But again, it's how you connect those dots. Thinking about students asking themselves, ‘What can I do?’ I think of how I did not sit in class and say, ‘I want to work at Chick-fil-A' or that I wanted to work in steel construction. I thought I was going to work at a commercial design firm.” 

Being open to new possibilities while utilizing foundational skills remains critical to Brinkley’s career after years of success within different career avenues. 

“I think I'm a coach to the core, but also UofL taught me to not be scared and to ask the necessary questions,” Brinkley said. “Coming from Atlanta to a new environment in Louisville – and Kentucky as a whole – I had to learn how to be curious.” 

Brinkley shared that no matter the subject—whether Pan-African Studies, geography, or science—she was always challenged to remain curious.  

“I think UofL allows you the space for that curiosity, but also gives you autonomy to grow while not dismissing who you authentically are. Even if you're not from Kentucky, you still have a place there. I think that was the beauty of it,” she said. 

Pursuing an MBA at Keller and completing continuing education courses through Harvard during her time at Chick-fil-A reflects Brinkley’s dedication to both personal and professional development. 

She encourages students today to build on the foundation of exploration, curiosity, and transferrable skills that a UofL education provides. 

“Continue to learn and continue to be open to learning even more. Even if you feel like you don't want to get that extra degree, learning can come in different facets,” she said. “It goes back to my beginnings at UofL –  being OK with being curious, being OK to ask questions, being OK to have that courage. To be able to know more and do more is where I would lean into creating space for you to achieve your goals.”