Katie Brenckle

Executive Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody
Dunwoody, Georgia
Age: 26

“I think a lot of people sort of find themselves in tourism,” says Katie Brenckle. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism and public relations, Brenckle landed in Thomasville, Ga. She planned to find work in her field, but instead started her career as the tourism coordinator for the city. When she moved to Atlanta a few years later, the CVB of Dunwoody was forming, looking for a deputy director. “I threw in my resume, and I was lucky that they were willing to give me a chance,” she says, admitting she feels young to have such an important role at a CVB. Six months into the job, she was promoted to executive director. Because the CVB is small (with only two full-time staffers and one part-timer), she’s asked to do everything from sales and marketing to attending industry trade shows. Brenckle’s on the board of directors for the Atlanta Metro Travel Association and DeKalb Police Alliance, and when she does have a little free time, she says it’s easy to make her happy. “You can put me on a beach with a good book and I’m pretty content.” — L. Hoppe