KANIKA MORGAN, C'95
GLOBAL eDISCOVERY COUNSEL for the AMERICAS at UBS
KANIKA, Running The Game: "I am the Global e-Discovery Counsel at UBS, a Swiss global financial services company. My role requires me to advise the Wealth Management, Asset Management, and Investment Banking Legal & Compliance Groups on discovery related issues in connection with complex litigations, investigations and regulatory inquiries."
Yeah, I've Got A Guilty Pleasure: Event planning. “My friends call me ‘Julie the Cruise Director’ because I like to keep a clipboard/task list close by as I plan the next memorable ‘sister soiree’. I truly enjoy being surrounded by really smart & dynamic women, great food & wine, and soulful music. In January 2017, I planned a ‘Diner en Blanc et Rouge’ event on behalf of the Violet Torch Foundation where I serve as a Board Director. We hosted an intimate ‘dinner party with a purpose’ for thirty inspiring African American women in Westchester County. For three hours during MLK weekend, we disconnected from a world that was in the middle of a presidential shift and truly reconnected as sisters. There were red and white wine tastings coupled with cuisine provided by Black-owned businesses while engaging in fun, thought provoking conversation. It was the epitome of ‘self-care’. All event night proceeds were donated to the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence."
Two sayings I live by: successful people never worry about what others are doing and comparison is the thief of joy.
How A Passion Led To My Proudest Accomplishment: "My passion for African American literature coupled with a friendship with another Spelmanite from New York, led me to my husband and the birth of my greatest personal accomplishment, my daughter.
”I majored in English at Spelman and after graduating I wanted to continue to pursue my love for reading so I started a women-only book club in 1999. After a year we decided to make the book club co-ed with a strict list of rules—the men had to be just friends and sincerely interested in the exchange of ideas because this book club was about the serious exploration of literature. Not about dating. My Spelman sister invited a young, bright handsome co-worker to the meeting. Contrary to the rules, I would date him for years! We married in 2007 and I gave birth to our daughter in 2009. I enjoy raising an incredibly inquisitive, beautiful and bold girl. Motherhood has been the toughest yet most rewarding & humbling job to date. Every day I am tasked with how to build her self-esteem and allow her light to shine in this ever changing, and at times, unkind world. My village fosters a ‘we go high’ mentality and my daughter bears witness to that every day.”
No Time For Playa Hatin.: “There are two sayings that I live by 1) ‘Successful people never worry about what others are doing’ and 2) ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’. I focus my time and talents on my unique journey. While riddled with personal and professional setbacks, those challenges have allowed me to change course and experience the ultimate comeback. At the end of the day I am happy and fulfilled. My life is not perfect but it is perfectly designed for me. I simply stay in my lane and I am ok with that divine plan.”
KANIKA's Next Conquest?: Completing a marathon where the course runs through all five New York City boroughs—Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island. “I gave up Division I sports scholarships to attend Spelman. Although I have no regrets because the Spelman experience is unmatched…I have not been as committed to athletics as I would like to be post-college. In light of this, I joined the New York Runners Club and have completed a series of 5K and 10K races but I want to take my training to the next level.” What I'm Reading If The Apocalypse Left Just One News Source?: I’m reading “Awesomelyluvvie.com because I need a little levity in my life these days! She brings a level of wit and insight to serious—and frivolous—topics that is unmatched. Quite frankly I don't have time to keep up with it all. She is a one stop shop!” Bottomless Brunch or Happy Hour Tapas?: “My ‘go to’ is a Bottomless Brunch because I am a ‘day party gal’! My new favorite spot for girlfriend meetups is Row House in Harlem. Live jazz, modern & chic ambiance, fun/attentive staff, tasty & unique drinks and outdoor/indoor seating. Row House is a gem!”
