Team Member Profile

Meet UClub Member Priya Kapoor

“I was just two weeks off of hip replacement surgery, but I really wanted to go!”

Born in Switzerland to a fifth generation Angelino and an East Asian father, UClub member Priya Rana Kapoor grew up in London and spent many of her holidays (summers, Easter, Christmas) in LA and Santa Barbara with her maternal grandparents. Her life has since taken her back and forth between the two countries she calls home. Priya, a career and transition coach, earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from USC here in the US and recently worked as the director of the USC London Office from 2017 to 2018. She has now come full-circle, moving back to Santa Barbara with her husband, UClub member James Darnborough, in 2018.

Interestingly enough, Priya actually met her husband when she was just 15. He was her first boyfriend! They originally met through friends at a London pub and dated for three weeks – as teenagers do. Fast forward 27 years and James found Priya through LinkedIn! When he asked her out to lunch, Priya actually said… no! Luckily James insisted they not let it go another 27 years and they were married a year and half later. Together they launched a magazine and published the Give Yourself Permission Anthology as a follow up to Priya’s 2014 book: Give Yourself Permission to Live Your Life. Priya wrote and laid out the former from their condo in Carpinteria.

“We thought, this is a really nice place,” Priya recalls. “When we came back from London, I really wanted to be part of a Club where I can go to work and also meet people and socialize.” Back in London Priya is a member of the Naval and Military Club, where she wrote her first book. “The University Club reminded me of that,” she says. “The rooms, the cozy chairs, the peace and quiet to work, and lunch right there on the premises in the afternoon. And it is such a lovely venue to meet with people. It was also a wonderful way to learn more about Santa Barbara and meet new friends.”

Priya uses the Club to work, meet with clients, and loves coming to various Club events and lectures. She has also used the Club to host a number of lectures and presentations, with her next one coming up on March 18th (see opposing page for more information).

“My first Club event was the Centennial,” Priya laughs. “I was just two weeks off of hip replacement surgery, but I really wanted to go! I loved it! I also really enjoy Summer Solstice at the Club. With my hip recovery, being able to easily park, enjoy lunch, and then see the floats go by is just wonderful.”

Priya chairs the USC Alumni Club meetings in the UClub Library, enjoys working in the Flag Room, has used the Main Dining Room for her lectures, filmed a video for her website in the Alumni Room, and meets with clients in the Park Room. “There truly is a room here for every need!” she says.

Next time you see Priya at the Club, say hello! Or come support her on March 18th during her lecture. If you have young children, grandchildren, or anyone in your family who may want to eventually head to college, it is never too soon to hear Priya speak as she lays out some of the do’s and don’ts along the way.