Good days ahead — alumni couple supports UGA’s future
By: Halleigh Woods
While many view college as the best time of their lives, the Beachams believe the good days are far from over. For Matt (BBA ’09, MACC ’11) and Adrianne (BBA ’10, MACC ’11) Beacham, the University of Georgia and the Terry College of Business have always been more than just a school. The college has served as a launchpad for their careers, a strong network of support, a lasting community and the place where they began building their life together.
The couple credits Terry with not only laying the foundation for their relationship and careers but also inspiring them to stay engaged and give back. Today, they regularly speak to classes, mentor students and seek out opportunities to hire fellow Bulldogs. Matt has served as chair of the Terry Young Alumni Board, and Adrianne makes an annual visit to Professor Tina Carpenter’s Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination class, where she presents a “Top Ten” list of career lessons alongside her company’s president.
“It is understandable to think you need to be further along in your career before you start giving back, but there are so many ways to stay engaged,” Matt says. “There are so many meaningful opportunities for young alumni to stay connected and make an impact. Whether that’s through giving financially, mentoring, speaking to students or getting involved with a local alumni chapter.”
Matt and Adrianne attend the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship in Atlanta.
The couple agrees that one of the simplest ways young alumni can start contributing is through recurring giving, like the Ten for Terry campaign “It is such an easy way to make a meaningful impact,” Adrianne says. “Ten dollars a month might not seem like much, but when we all participate, it adds up to real support for students and programs.”
That spirit of collective impact reflects the Beachams’ broader passion for creating pathways for future students. “Donor dollars help build buildings, fund scholarships and provide access to programs that Terry otherwise could not offer,” Matt shares. “We want students to have even better opportunities than we had.”
Adrianne experienced the power of those opportunities and the UGA alumni network firsthand when she landed an internship at Coca-Cola Enterprises following her undergraduate graduation. There, she met the CFO, Bill Douglas, who encouraged her to pursue a career in public accounting, going so far as to connect her with EY, where she spent the next five years.
Matt also shared that every career opportunity he has pursued has included a UGA connection in some way. He began his career in public accounting as well, working at Frazier and Deeter in Atlanta, subsequently exploring entrepreneurial ventures in retail, accounting and the beverage industry.
Eventually, both Matt and Adrianne were ready for a change, and the Classic City called them home again.
Matt and Adrianne Beacham attend the UMass vs. UGA game in November 2024.
“We were at the G-Day game when we ran into some of our former professors,” Adrianne recalls. “Margaret Christ and Tina Carpenter told me about a job opening at Stadion Money Management, where I’ve had the opportunity to work in various roles over the last nine years. Once again, that opportunity came directly through our alumni network.”
Today, Matt is focused on growing his new beverage venture as co-founder of GoodDays Classic Cocktails, a ready-to-drink canned cocktail brand made with real spirits and fruit juice.
Since getting the business started in early 2023, he’s been hands-on in every part of the business, from formula creation to distribution, and continues to lean on mentors like Bill Douglas, a connection they trace back to Adrianne’s Coca-Cola Enterprises internship.
After benefiting from UGA’s strong network throughout every stage of their careers, giving back to the university that helped launch it all felt like a natural next step. Today, the Beachams are focused on paying it forward, giving back with their time, talent and treasure, helping current students tap into the same support and connections that shaped their own journeys.
Matt’s advice to fellow alumni, whether just starting out or well established in your career: “Get involved, build relationships and grow your network, because you never know what resources or connections might be helpful as you progress in life.”
The Beachams are proof that the UGA experience does not end at graduation. From Athens to Atlanta and back again, they are making good days happen for themselves and others, one Bulldog connection at a time.
