“As an Emory student in international studies, Jonathan Krinn 90C couldn’t anticipate that one day he’d become a sought-after strategic consultant in our nation’s capital. Now known for his keen ability to “run a tight ship,” Krinn first excelled as an innovative chef for more than eighteen years in New York City, France and Washington D.C.

“At Emory, I was surrounded by the best of the best,” Krinn recalls. “I was used to being with people who appreciated culture, quality and the finer things in life. With an Emory education, I knew I could own my own business someday.” He took that appreciation with him as he entered the food world professionally, rising through the ranks to become a restaurant owner. Inspired in part by his father, who is not only a doctor but is also an accomplished baker, Krinn says, “We’re a food family, so for me the career was a natural progression.”

The award-winning chef has made a name for himself, earning recognition by the prestigious James Beard Award Foundation for creative modern American cuisine at 2941 and Inox, his restaurants in the D.C. metro area. Opened during our country’s recession, despite rave reviews and national recognition, Krinn made the difficult decision to close his Inox venture after only a few short years.

Now he puts his considerable talents to use as a strategic consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton, helping government and commercial clients open new businesses and manage staff. “People know I’m an honest business owner, that I can exist in chaos, and that I can bridge that gap between creativity and business sensibility,” he explains. Krinn taps into the relationships he’s made in the restaurant industry throughout his career to make valuable career connections for his clients.

Reflecting on his time at Emory has allowed him to share advice with students and young professionals. “The most important thing you can learn is how to handle failure as well as success with an extreme level of maturity. What you don’t know at twenty-one is that life will always have ups and downs. No matter how well-intentioned you are, life changes when you least expect it,” he says. “It’s hard to understand when you’re young, but after you’ve failed, success is that much sweeter.”