Becky Cannon receives Aya Award
July 16, 2012
At the 115th Annual Meeting, the Chamber honored nine community members with our annual leadership awards. This is the fourth installment in our series profiling the award winners.
Becky Cannon of i play., Inc. received the 2012 Aya Award. Cannon started i play., Inc. in 1982 as a mail-order catalog for Japanese woolen diaper covers. Celebrating their 30 year anniversary in 2012, i play., Inc. has grown to over 50 employees and designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a range of healthy and safe products to help parents provide the best care for their babies.
Sponsored by Webb Investments and Verve Magazine, the Aya Award honors an independent, successful and resourceful woman in business who:
- demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession,
- provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improving the quality of life for others in the community and
- has been a mentor for other women, assisting them in reaching their leadership potential.
The name Aya, pronounced “Eye-a,” refers to the aya fern which is a symbol of endurance and resourcefulness.
Cannon was chosen from a wonderful slate of candidates for her dedication and persistence over 30 years as a business owner and leader. Cannon is noted as a strong leader who has actively served as a mentor to other women. “Becky has worked tirelessly to create products that support a healthy, active and fun lifestyle. She has been instrumental in fostering the careers of all of the women on our team.”
She was nominated by her daughter Emi Kubota who now serves as Vice President at i play., Inc. Kubota said, “She raised me to be curious, thoughtful, independent and persistent – and this was before she knew I’d be working for her!
“Becky’s passion, drive and determination are infectious. She brings out the best ideas and solutions in everyone in our company.,” Kubota said.
Cannon was profiled in the July issue of Verve Magazine