Q & A With Kelly Kapoor

What Indian traditions and/or customs would you say have helped you with your position at Dunder Mifflin? "I love all the traditions and I don't want to single out any or show bias, because that would be wrong. They are all great."

Would you consider your Indian heritage an asset? "Yes."

How so? "Well, without it I couldn't have gotten into the Minority Executive Program, right? Unless I was born black or Mexican or something else instead."

How have you overcome prejudice to get to where you are today? "As an attractive woman, you constantly face prejudices all the time. People assume you're dumb, or you're slutty, or you're shallow. But I cope. I actually try to use it to my advantage, like if someone assumes you're dumb, then they aren't going to ask you to do hard stuff. Overall it sucks to be judged based on my looks, but it's still better than being ugly."

What is the most challenging thing you have to face, as an Indian-American? "I hate it when everyone assumes that just because you're Indian, you're into all things Indian. I'm more than an Indian-American, I'm Kelly Kapoor."

Interesting, could you expand on that? "Well after Slumdog Millionaire and that documentary about kids that are born into brothels -- I forget what it's called, anyway, after those films came out everyone's asking me my opinions of the issues brought up in those movies, like I'm some expert. And I'm like, 'I don't know, Oscar. I don't watch movies where you have to read subtitles.' It's so hurtful when people make these notions based on your race."

What achievement are you most proud of, as a Dunder Mifflin Sabre employee and an Indian woman? "It's so hard to single one out... It'd be like choosing between my children, or my favorite cast member from Beverly Hills 90210. I couldn't say. I'm proud of everything I do because I rock."

What are you looking forward to most as a participant in the Print In All Colors program? "I'm going to dress so hot, like Heather Locklear on Melrose Place. I'm to wear power suits with short shirts, and those stockings with the seams in the back. And I'm going to be all like, "You filled out this report all wrong, Ryan. Now kiss me or you're fired."

Do you have anything you'd like to add as a newest addition to our Minority Executive Training Program? "No."