NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

June Sugiyama has been the director of the Vodafone Americas Foundation for the last 17 years. Previously, she served in several roles at Vodafone’s predecessors, AirTouch and Pacific Telesis International. She most recently led the foundation’s transition toward impact through technology-related programs. She also developed the Vodafone Americas Foundation Wireless Innovation Project, a competition designed to seek the best wireless technology solutions to address critical social issues around the world.

Sugiyama served on the board of Northern California Grantmakers and participates in the Arts Loan Fund and the Emergency Loan Fund of the organization. She also serves on the advisory board of the Foundation Center in San Francisco, and served on the advisory committee of the Vodafone Group Foundation and United Nations Foundation Technology Partnership, the board of the National Japanese American Historical Society, the Business Arts Council in San Francisco and Nobiru-kai, a Japanese newcomers association. Sugiyama received her teaching credential and liberal studies degree at San Francisco State University, masters and specialist credential at the University of San Francisco, and has teaching experience with schools throughout the Bay Area, especially in the Japanese Bilingual Programs.