Interviews
Name: Orna Duggan
Degree/Masters: BA (1993) Natural Sciences
What are you doing with yourself these days?
At the moment, I’m in Canada where I work as Director for Institutional Research and Planning at Wilfrid Laurier University on Waterloo, Ontario. I’m responsible for the University’s business intelligence, planning and change management. This includes the application of analytics to support strategy, operations and performance management.
Why did you choose your current career?
I’m afraid that it was perhaps more accidental than planned, although my interests have always been in strategy and the management of change. After Trinity, I completed a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University in Belfast. Soon after that, I moved into strategy consulting – I worked with Prospectus Strategy Consultants, where I gained really good experience in developing and implementing strategy. My academic background meant that I was often assigned to projects within the higher education and research sectors. This led me onto a career in university management – first with Institutes of Technology, Ireland and now Laurier.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Acting, theatre and film is my first love, although right now, I talk about it more than I actually do it.
Are you still in touch with other alumni?
Yes. Although I am not a fan of Facebook or most other kinds of social media. I prefer to catch up in person. I find that even if a long time has passed, with good friends we can just pick up where we left off. I also use Linkedin and this has been great in helping me to get back in touch with people that I haven’t seen since College days. It’s great to see where people ended up and what they’re doing now.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I hope to find myself in a leadership position in Irish higher education.
Have you any advice for students or fellow alumni?
For students, Trinity has a fantastic club and society scene – something you don’t get in every university. So make the most of it when you are there – if you’re lucky, you will find an interest that stays with you for life.