TEN THINGS ABOUT ME

25 Things About Laura Yecies

Laura Yecies knows a thing or two about making things run — as a masters candidate in foreign services at Georgetown, her thesis instructor was Madeleine Albright. As a Harvard MBA, she started at Informix and spent time at Netscape, Yahoo and Check Point. And as CEO, she currently runs online storage outfit SugarSync. And she accomplished all of this while raising four kids with her husband. Below, her 25 answers to our Ten Things.

What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
As a teenager — “I, Claudius.” Derek Jacobi was my favorite actor for years. That’s how I got the idea for my oldest son’s name.

What qualities do you like in a person?
Integrity, intelligence, humor, openness.

What qualities do you dislike?
Any dishonesty, even of the white lie variety, and too much “the world revolves around me.”

Name one thing you will regret never having done (if you never do it).
Spending time with many grandchildren.

What’s the single most important issue in the world today?
Lack of education and opportunity for women in the third world.

Do you still buy CDs or rent DVDs?
Yes, particularly Netflix-mailed DVDs, as the selection is larger than download.

What would you be doing if you were not in your current job?
Before I decided to go into business I wanted to be in the foreign service.

What is your greatest achievement to date?
My children — they are great people. I look forward to seeing how they contribute to their world.

iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?
Blackberry from 2003-2008, then iPhone.

If you could meet any historical or fictional person, who would it be?
Albert Einstein.

What site/app do you check first when you wake up?
Email.

What was the last thing you fixed?
I’m our home IT manager — the last thing I fixed was getting the wireless working in my husband’s office despite our 1920s home being all lath-and-plaster walls.

What was your first computer?
An ATT PC 6300.

What was your biggest mistake?
I wish I had moved our family abroad for a year so the kids could have gone to school in a foreign country and learned the language.

Do you have a dog or cat or other pet?
No — I prefer to focus on people rather than animals.

What’s your favorite mode of transportation?
For pleasure, I most enjoy hiking/walking.

What was the last book you read?
“Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War” by Nathaniel Philbrick.

If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
Teleportation — my family lives all over the country — I would love to be able to see them instantly.

Name your favorite guilty pleasure.
A large popcorn at the movie theatre.

What was your biggest most recent purchase?
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100.

Whom do you idolize?
Nobody. I don’t believe in putting anyone on such a high pedestal. We’re all human.

What do you drive/ride?
A 2002 Lexus SC430.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I had a better singing voice.

Who was your biggest influence growing up?
Of course my parents — accomplished physicians, parents, grandparents and community members. I was particularly influenced by my maternal grandfather in terms of the values he shared with me and practiced himself.

Describe an ideal day.
Be on vacation visiting a new place — some exotic city or place in nature. I’m with my entire family and we’re walking and exploring and seeing new things all day. Then we have dinner together, then a concert.

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