Age: Forty-something. Birthplace: London, UK. Profession: Lawyer. Organization: Cable & Wireless Communications. Title: VP, General Counsel. Significant other: My hubby, Rupinder Nagra. Alma mater: University of Toronto (BA); York University, Toronto, Canada (LLB/MBA). Where do you call home? I live in Miami, FL, however, my heart is in Canada (where I grew up) and my soul is in London, UK (where I lived prior to moving to the US).
Current project: Searching for an external board position. Recent recognition: Recently received this message from a direct report: “Special thank you to Ruchi who changed the trajectory of my professional life when she allowed me to sit on her leadership team. My opportunities for growth and development have been beyond my imagination.” Latest contribution to others: Founding Director of the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation, where our mission is to enable progress and build more resilient communities in the Caribbean and LATAM. What’s been you big (or biggest leap)? Moving to Miami with two children and my husband after living in London for over thirteen years. Hobbies: Art lover, avid traveler, baking, yoga, fine wining and dining. Last book read: The Power of Moments, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath (Work’s Book Club); Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro (Mom’s Book Club). Recent unique acquisition: A signed print of Mark Quinn’s “A Map of Where You Can’t See the Stars; Atlantic View”.
Personality profile: Problem-solver, results-oriented, people person (iS in DISC). What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Courageous. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Inspirational, collaborative and respectful. What is your greatest joy? My children. What is your guilty pleasure? Great quality dark chocolate.
What three emojis best describe you? 😘🙋🏽♀️✈️.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel (especially in Italy). What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Exceptional food experiences.
What was your favorite college course? Organizational Behavior. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Artwork. What’s the best advice you received growing up? To be financially independent. What’s the best advice you received in your career? If you don’t speak at a meeting, then why are you there? What’s the best advice you received when doubting what to do? Say to yourself, “What would a man do in this situation?” What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? E-commerce, a working mom’s lifesaver. What is your favorite app? 1SE (1 Second Everyday), where you record your life through 1 second snippets each day. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My parents’ decision to move from India to England in the 1960s and then to Canada in the 1970s.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? More female minorities in partnership and executive positions. What change would you like to see in the world? Less polarization and greater tolerance. What message do you want to send out into the world? An average person has only 4000 weeks on Earth. Make the moments count and don’t screw up the planet for future generations. What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence. What mega-trend most concerns you? Lack of agreed ethical standards for artificial intelligence.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? The Adventurer. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Elvis. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? A piece of artwork from Amalie Russell we commissioned when we bought our first house (and passports, of course). What advice would you give your younger self? Maintain the confidence that you had in your twenties for the rest of your life. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? New Year’s Eve 1999.
Personal motto: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Favorite quote: “Leap and the safety net will appear” (by my husband, Rupinder Nagra). Desired epitaph: She loved, laughed and lifted.
