Interview with Suzanne Toro

A strong woman. I am a passionate woman and I have a lot of fire inside of me.  I could overpower a situation and if I am not present with all my strengths and weaknesses I have done just that. However, I have found the success in expressing myself as a balanced woman in the workforce and in my life. A woman that can stand up for herself and her community by using her grace, passion and nurturing energies rather than using force and dominance or pure sex appeal.

2. What are some of the challenges you face as a female executive in the music industry?

Men and transforming the old paradigm of making and distributing music. The music industry has the power to bring about a lot of change on this planet but first it must be willing to look at itself square in the eye and admit what they have created.

3. Tell us a bit about your role as manager for Apl of  the Black Eyed Peas and COO of Apl.de.ap’s global music label Jeepney Music.

I am a visionary. I am here to shape Apl’s vision within his business ventures and his career. I am not like most managers. I am focused or do I measure his success purely on fame, money or the moment.  I am here to create and achieve his long range plans and make sure that everything he does makes him happy and he feels passionate about it. Which ultimately will provide him with a series of business ventures to support and create opportunities his family, his friends, his country and many people around the world.

4. Your work is international. Tell us what a typical week is like for you?

I do not have a typical week. I really just move moment by moment with a big calender that can shift at a moments notice. My days starts around 6am and usually does not end till 1 or 2 am. The hours are long but I am passionate about every part of it and thankful for all the work I am doing with Apl and the other projects I am working on.

5. Tell us a bit about the Apl Foundation.

Allan Pineda

Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, from Angeles City- Pampanga left his hometown at the age of fourteen to embark on a new life in the United States of America. Leaving his family and community behind, Allan had one dream to be able to support his family and give back to his homeland.

Now, 20 years later he is doing just that, he and his mother started by giving to the local children in his community. It started with the simple idea of giving on Christmas day, Allan, his entire family and a few visiting friends, hand out toys, care packages, rice from their farm, and money to the local community and one of the indigenous tribes in the area.

He also started to sponsor children and purchase materials for the local primary school. Now, with the foundation in place Allan will expand his reach to the rest of the Philippines.

The Apl Foundation

Apl has  recently started a foundation with the intent to give back to the Philippines and Asia. Our first initiative is focused on the Philippines. We are working with the Ayala Foundation and in the Philippines and the United States. In addition, we are working with Give2Asia for disaster relief initiatives and cultural preservation projects.

Current Focus

Education – The Ayala’s have a project we are supporting called the Gilas project. Which is focused on providing connectivity via computers to all the schools in the Philippines. The computer labs will insure all the children completing primary and secondary school will leave with a skill which can be used in a future career or schooling. In addition, we will be providing additional literature and materials to their libraries.

Culture – We are partnering with the United Nations, a technology called OurHistree, and the Ayala Foundation. We are creating a platform to connect the Filipino community globally. We will be creating a living history and community for information as it relates to the Filipino culture, history, indigenous tribes and communities.

Environment – We are partnering with Algae Systems and Dura (clean tech technologies), the Ayalas and the Philippines to bring new emerging algae technologies and waste to energy technologies to the Philippines. This project will provide environmental solutions for the marine life, water, land fill and energy. Currently the Philippines have been labeled as one of the most marine Bio Diverse regions in the world. By taking action in this region of the world we will not only be giving back to the Philippines but the entire world.

6. How are you working to help the underpowered and underserved in developing countries?

I am currently working with a team of amazing grassroots organizations that are focused on empowering countries from within. I cannot tell the world enough that there are so many people working around the globe create change. I have seen the power in small ground level changes have a bigger impact on a country or a village. I also like to point out, I do not see these countries as underpowered. I feel many of them have been pillaged from and footprints from many wars and other countries have actually disrupted what they naturally know how to do—sustain themselves. These countries and villages are our greatest teachers. In many instances, we need to give back to them what we took away and allow them to become inspired from within and in others we need to get the aid they need to the right people.

7. What advice would you offer women who want to get involved in the music industry?

Get involved for the right reason. Do it for the love and passion of music not for the money or for the fame.

8. How have you overcome the “glass ceiling” and how can other women overcome their obstacles in the workplace?

Women by are cunning and intuitive. In order to make your way through uncharted waters you have to stay grounded, unemotional, and listen to your intuition to guide your around the obstacles.