Founded in 1954, Tokyo-based Advantest is an international company with a presence in 50 countries including the U.S., Germany, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Advantest is the world’s leading producer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry and a premier manufacturer of measuring instruments used in the design and production of electronic instruments and systems. Its leading-edge products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. In her role, Judy leads the global marketing communications organization with the objective to strengthen Advantest’s contributions to the worldwide semiconductor business by enriching, expanding and integrating test and measurement solutions throughout the electronics value chain. These activities include branding, public relations, digital marketing, social media, sponsorships, trade shows, conferences, speaking engagements and supporting product launches that represent nearly 90 percent of the company’s annual revenue.

So how does she do it? "I have always believed in setting measurable benchmarks and quantitative goals. For me, there is a reward in seeing a task completed successfully," says Judy. Judy likes surrounding herself with smart people. Her team members represent some of the most talented communications experts in the semiconductor industry, including a department of Advantest employees as well as a network of industry-experienced freelance professionals. In hiring interviews, she looks for talented people who can be taught the intricacies of communications and semiconductor technology and who can acclimate with the unique market environment. Other important traits are loyalty, the drive to do better, an innate nature to compete and working to continually improve oneself. Judy strives to cultivate an environment where she can keep her team members motivated by giving them new projects, providing them opportunities to be creative and stretch themselves, and finding new ways to do things differently. In times of uncertainty, she empowers the team by addressing issues head-on. "I have the belief that no matter how big the challenge is, it can be overcome. There’s always a solution," asserts Judy. It is essential for a leader to have a strong tolerance for uncertainty and to act calmly in a situation of crisis, all the while working for a bigger cause. "Never complain. Never over-explain. And never let them see you sweat," suggests Judy. She believes in not getting immersed in corporate politics while making good decisions based on one’s best intentions. "In this way, I focus on fulfilling what is in the company’s and my organization’s best interests. Although I realize that you cannot please everyone all of the time, with this mindset, I don’t have any regrets," says Judy. On the other hand, she understands the responsibility and realities of being a woman working in tech and is currently involved in fine-tuning Advantest’s written core values with the goal of making them expressly more global and more inclusive.