Forty Over 40

Forty Women to Watch Over 40

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 10Qs for June Sugiyama, Director, Vodafone Americas Foundation

janesugiyamaWelcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Frequently we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This Q & A is with June Sugiyama the director of the Vodafone Americas Foundation. Sugiyama has been in the Foundation’s leadership role for the past 12 years. In that role, she developed various community support and partnership strategies. Most recently, she led the Foundation’s transition to support technology related programs, a strategy to better align with Vodafone’s expertise in technology and innovation.

1)  What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?

Attending the first convening of our company’s foundations and all of a sudden realizing that I had a lot to offer.

2)  Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

Dianne Yamashiro-Omi – Commissioner, California Commission on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs; previously at The California Endowment.

3)  What is your biggest goal right now?

To create a centralized “dating site” for mobile solutions providers, seekers and funders to find each other.

4)  How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I go to the beach close to where my family members are in Monterey or Hawaii; not as often as I like though.

6)  What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?

Creating our Foundation’s Wireless Innovation Project competition.

7)  What was the last business book you read?

Linchpin by Seth Grodin.

8)  What cause do you most want to advance?

More women in technology, and it’ll have to start when they’re girls.

9)  What song can’t you get out of your head?

“So What” performed by Miles Davis.

12) What is your secret indulgence?

Watching basketball, football, soccer and rugby (in that order) all day long.

13)  Which of the Forty over 40 honorees would you like to meet?

Kelly Hoey and Deborah Jackson because they are both supporting women in mobile.

Check out June Sugiyama’s full 40 Over 40 profile here.

Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

Whitney is the author of the acclaimed Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream. She has been named on numerous Smart Thinkers and People to Follow lists by major media such as Inc. Magazine, Business Insider and Huffington Post and is quoted in Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fast Company, Forbes and more.
Whitney Johnson