VB: Your father, Ranjit Kumar, was a significant figure in Trinidad’s history as the man from India who introduced Indian films to the country, and as the civil engineer responsible for the creation of Wrightson Road. What was it like to grow up as the daughter of someone who had come directly from India, and who was such a prominent figure in the society? Were his views on the upbringing of his daughter traditionally Indian ones?
CK: This may seem strange but while growing up with Daddy I never fully understood the magnitude of his contribution to Trinidad and Tobago as I now do. Nor did I grow up in what is considered a traditional Indian home. I am the second of nine children, born after daddy had completed his major civil engineering works and a few years before he exited political life.
True, Daddy took us to lots of Indian movies, but he did not talk much about his experiences with bringing the first Indian movie, Bala Joban to Trinidad. Daddy was really more British in his way of thinking, as he spent most of his life in England before coming to Trinidad. (He was less traditional in some ways, leading us to know a little less about Indian customs and foods than some of our non-Indian friends who lived in Indian communities.) He and Mummy focused on and left us with sound values and the desire to become educated. He wanted his “girl children” to be independent – quite non-traditional back in those days. They taught us to be persons of integrity and to live within our means. We were taught that outward glitter is only superficial so what mattered was what entered our heads and hearts. They really taught us to work hard first and that playing comes after hard work. My parents taught me to stand up for what I believed in and to always give of my best, even in times of adversity. Daddy particularly impressed upon us the need to not just get by, but to excel at school, to become highly educated. This resulted in all of his children having some sort of postgraduate qualification. There are three academic siblings with doctorates. Two are right here at UWI, our alma mater.
VB: You managed a great deal of headway into traditionally male domains; was this a focused drive or did it just happen that way?
CK: Definitely it was a focused drive. The desire to succeed was born at home but really grew while at UWI. I was pursuing a degree which excited me: industrial management and my lecturers were inspiring me to do better. At the age of 29 when rewriting my resume, I wrote my vision “to be the leader of a large organization where my skills and knowledge can be utilized.” While I was doing well at executive management, there were many challenges to get to that top job, including being overlooked more than once for the post of CEO. I am convinced I did not get the top jobs because I am a woman. Even when these “slights” happened, my father’s teachings to give of my best in times of adversity and to be open to new ideas remained with me. I spoke with some successful males to determine what I needed to do. The one message was “network more; get other CEOs to know who Catherine Kumar is.” This was my turning point. I recognized the importance of networking and built a strong network via business NGOs. This led to my becoming the first female president of a totally male dominated successful American business organization, AMCHAM. Although challenges continued, both personal and business-related, there was no turning back. I was respected and rose to become the first female inspector of financial institutions, regulating banks and insurance companies which were nearly totally led by males. Then I became managing director of one of the largest commercial banks in Trinidad and Tobago.
VB: How much would you say was influenced by your childhood?
CK: I think the foundation for my success was laid in my childhood. The value system I learnt from Mummy, Daddy and Catholic schools acted as my compass. I believe that two of my values, which have been tested and tried over and over in my work career, are integrity and honesty. I say tested because there was always someone in my early years who would see me as an aspiring professional and a very ambitious woman and figured that I could be tempted to do whatever would help me climb the ladder. It was challenging, but my resilience proved them wrong as they soon realized I would not bend. I believe that people began to realize that my moral values could not be overturned for my earthly gain.
VB: Which of your achievements do you value most?
CK: I would have to say the opportunity to open doors for other females and see them grow and develop brings me the greatest gratification. Yes, recognition and money are important but my self-actualization comes from seeing the advancement of others, particularly females, who worked with me and whom I mentored. Coaching them is my way of giving back. For a woman in the Caribbean to rise to the top position and into the board room, she needs strong home support as the business world is full of unexpected events, which at times must be dealt with immediately. I advise them to choose their partners carefully. I tell others that experience does not have to be your personal experience to learn. Growth can come when you learn from others instead.
VB: What does this honorary LLD mean to you?
CK: I was recognized previously by both my secondary school and my alma mater, The University of the West Indies St Augustine at their 50th anniversary, and believe me those were moments of ecstasy for me. This conferment, however, trumps all. To have The University of the West Indies bestow on me the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) and for me to stand among a group of esteemed luminaries really is an honor to me. At times I had considered pursuing my doctorate as the highlight for my academic success but circumstances did not permit. I thank God for directing the decisions in my life which success fed into the UWI selection committee making the decisions.
I am gratified that my sacrifices have not been in vain. I will receive the Honorary Degree on behalf of all the other women who are challenged in climbing the corporate ladder in whatever field or discipline. This conferment has inspired me to give back even more to society. I pray that when I leave this earth that my receptacle will be empty as I would have poured out all that I have learnt in my life to others who are benefiting from it.
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