JUGGY SIHOTA – LEADING WITH IMPACT, INNOVATION, AND INTENTION

BY J.M. LEE

As Senior Vice President at TELUS, Juggy Sihota holds one of the most strategically influential roles in Canadian business today—shaping how innovation, purpose, and equity create enduring value. Known as a leader who delivers results through decisive action and courageous vision, Juggy has spent her career transforming sectors, building future-ready business models, and driving large-scale initiatives that strengthen industries and communities.

Her board work enhances her global impact. Juggy serves on the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) board, one of North America’s most awarded airports. She was also elected by her peers to chair two of Canada’s most respected organizations: the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. Her ability to navigate corporate and community leadership with depth, grace, and conviction distinguishes her as a future business leader. “I’m a product of everyone who has ever loved me,” she says. “That love gives me the courage to lead with conviction—and the responsibility to act when something must be done.”       

Juggy’s leadership is grounded in purposeful action. She believes that trust is the foundation of every high-performing team, earned not by charisma or title but through consistency, clarity, and genuine care. “Trust builds commitment,” she says, “and committed people outperform.”

Her philosophy has guided her through three decades of executive leadership at TELUS. In her most recent role leading healthcare innovation, Juggy oversaw TELUS Health’s expansion to more than 76 million people across 160 countries. Under her stewardship, TELUS pioneered virtual care services, launched precision health clinics, and developed one of the world’s largest digital health platforms while embedding equity at the core of its mission.

She credits these achievements to the extraordinary teams she has worked with and to her friend and CEO, Darren Entwistle, a visionary leader who has mentored her for over 20 years. She says Darren has consistently exemplified what it means to lead with foresight, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to creating lasting, long-term value. His leadership, she notes, continues to inspire others to think beyond today and build with purpose for the future.

Juggy’s track record is not just about business growth but about redefining progress itself. Her work consistently revolves around a crucial question that now defines her leadership: What is the point of progress if it doesn’t lift others along the way? This worldview is deeply personal. Her parents, driven by resilience and hope, worked tirelessly to create opportunities for their children and to expand even further for those who would follow.

Her mother’s optimism, warmth, and encouragement continue to ground Juggy’s life. “My mom taught me that love isn’t just what you feel—it’s what you do. It’s in the sacrifices, the daily encouragement, and the belief that people are inherently good. She’s also taught me how to live—to say yes to joy, to laugh deeply, and to never miss a moment with the people you love.”     

Juggy grew up profoundly aware of the privilege and responsibility inherited from her family’s sacrifices. That grounding manifests in every aspect of her leadership. “My values are from Sikh principles— equality, service, courage, and humility— and by an unwavering belief in Chardi Kala, the spirit of relentless optimism. It means you rise again. And again. And again. You don’t wallow. Move forward. Get to work.” Such a mindset has become her guiding principle.

Juggy doesn’t focus on legacy—she emphasizes impact: solving problems, creating better systems, and opening doors wider for the next generation. Her board roles reflect the same duty to act. Whether advancing research and care through the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation or championing inclusive growth at YVR, Juggy views governance not as ceremonial, but as a powerful tool to uplift others.

“When you’re entrusted with authority, hesitation isn’t an option. Leadership demands action—and action shapes outcomes.”              

Bold initiatives marked her tenure as Chair of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, focused on diversifying leadership, prioritizing the future of work, and incorporating equity and innovation into the region’s economic vision.

Leading through a period of profound global uncertainty, Juggy exemplified clarity, optimism, and decisive action, reminding the business community that acting with purpose is not just idealistic; it is strategic.

Innovation is not a buzzword in Juggy’s world—it is a moral imperative. She is a lifelong learner who believes that change is an opportunity, not a threat and that real innovation is measured by its impact on human lives. “Innovation isn’t about noise or novelty—it’s about building solutions that meaningfully improve lives, strengthen communities, and create enduring value.”

That ethos is evident in the businesses she builds and the teams she leads. Juggy hires for courage, promotes diverse voices, and leads with conviction and care. “True leadership isn’t about cloning your voice—it’s about cultivating new voices, giving people the room to rise, and trusting them to lead in their own right.”

Her mentorship has shaped a new generation of executives and changemakers, particularly women and underrepresented leaders. Juggy understands that visibility matters, but action creates lasting change. “Equity isn’t a statement—it’s a system. It has to live in the way we hire, the way we promote, and the way we make decisions every single day.”

At TELUS, she has consistently championed initiatives that blend business growth with social good, from digital inclusion and sustainability to AI for good and tech-enabled philanthropy. She believes that companies must operate with a social conscience, not as an afterthought but as a core part of their value proposition.   “Purpose isn’t a marketing strategy. It’s a performance strategy,” she says. “It drives trust, resilience, and long-term growth.”

That belief is evident in her leadership of the TELUS Future Friendly Foundation, which funds grassroots organizations across Canada that utilize innovative approaches to address social challenges. “Real change often happens close to home— in our neighborhoods, in small communities, by people who see a problem and decide to fix it. We need to back those people. That’s where the future is being built.”

Even with her demanding executive portfolio, Juggy remains deeply connected to her family, especially her nieces and nephews, who often turn to her for guidance and inspiration. To them, she is Juggy Massi—the wise, powerful aunt who shows up, believes fiercely in their potential, and reminds them to lead with courage and kindness. She frequently imparts life lessons to them through simple, powerful messages: Help someone on your worst day. Be brave. Protect your time. Lead with both your head and your heart. They’re my reminder of what the future deserves,” she relates. “I do this work to help shape a world worthy of their dreams.”

She also draws strength from her husband Dwayne’s unwavering support, as his belief in her leadership and values has been a constant source of encouragement throughout her journey.

When asked what continues to drive her after decades of leadership at the highest levels, Juggy does not hesitate. “I believe we are here to leave things better than we found them. Every community, every organization, every moment—all of them can be stronger, kinder, and more just. If better is possible, then better is required, and if we can, then we must. That’s the work. That’s the legacy. That’s the hope we owe the future.” That unshakeable conviction— rooted in love, service, innovation, and ambition—is what defines Juggy Sihota’s leadership.

She is building a future where progress, opportunity, and hope belong to everyone.

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