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Name: Priya Nair
Trinity Qualifications: BA (1997)
Title: Managing Director of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Capital Markets

About: At Trinity, Priya was an active member of various clubs and also served in the position of President of the Students' Union (1995-1996). Since leaving, Priya has held senior positions, in various capacities, at Citigroup, Deutsche bank and RBC. Her passion for Trinity remains and she has stayed involved through various alumni committees over many years. Most recently, she has been serving as a committee member of both the Trinity Association, London and also the TCD South Asia Board. Priya lives in London and is a regular supporter of Trinity alumni events both in Ireland and in the UK.

What is your fondest memory from your Trinity days?
Karoke with the campaign team in the Buttery, having just been elected as President of the Students’ Union.  

How did being President of the Students’ Union influence where you stand today?
It made me realise that to achieve anything meaningful, you need Priya's five Ps - passion, persistence, persuasiveness, pragmatism and patience.

What led you to moving to the UK?
At the time, it seemed to be where the opportunities lay.

What has been your greatest professional achievement to date?  
For me it was leading and managing a global team at 30.

What do you love the most about your work?
 
Knowing that my work has a positive impact on a wide number of people. 

Describe a typical day as
Managing Director of RBC Capital Markets.
I arrive at my desk around 7.30am and catch up on the overnight emails and calls. I then start a gruelling schedule of client and internal meetings, each involving research and preparation. Throughout the day I guide colleagues on what is required of them and I usually finish up with a social or professional one-on-one.

What gets you up in the morning?

Most of the time, excitement of day ahead but sometimes just a sense of duty and responsibility. 

What are your favourite things to do in London?

I love to take a run by the river, hang out with family/friends and to entertain guests in my home. 

What advice would you offer young graduates who are moving to London?
Try and find a community/interest/sport outside of your existing friends and work colleagues. In other words, push yourself outside your comfort zone.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing women your age today? 
Despite the significant efforts that have been made to create a level playing field, there are still some cultural barriers to overcome. 

Who are your ideal female icons? 
My key values in thinking about this are authenticity and impact. Women who I feel embody these attributes are Anita Roddick, Michelle Obama and Jacqueline Novogratz, for example.

What message would you like to leave for men and women on International Women’s Day?
Just at the moment, things globally seem to be going in a retrograde direction; have faith in yourself and others around you and don't accept the seemingly inevitable.