100 LATINAS CISCO
MEET THE LATINA EXECUTIVES INSIDE CISCO
MARIA MARTINEZ CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Maria is responsible for the company’s operations and transformation, as well as building high-value experiences for its customers, partners, and employees. Martinez oversees Cisco’s Strategy Execution, Customer Success, Renewals, Customer & Partner Experience, Security & Trust, Supply Chain, IT, Services, and Transformation functions. A transformational leader and engineer at heart, Maria brings more than 35 years of leadership experience from a variety of technology sectors including software, services, hardware and networking technology. Martinez has received several distinctions for her leadership, most recently being named as a Technology Visionary on ALPFA’s (Association of Latino Professionals for America) list of 50 Most Powerful Latinas. She holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a master's degree in computer engineering from Ohio State University. Q: What has your experience in Cisco taught you about teams and individual growth? A: I was drawn to Cisco because of its reputation for a tremendous culture and, even then, it has far exceeded my expectations. This is a company that is deliberate about how we care for one another and for the work at hand. We have a conscious approach to measuring, addressing, and talking about our culture. We are transparent about what we’re doing well and where there are gaps that need solving for. We also don’t shy away from the truth or hard conversations, because we
know that courageous leadership drives the type of clarity we need to thrive, and win, together. Our people strategy is the blueprint for how we navigate the evolving landscape of the workforce of the future and how we capture opportunity through our best asset – our people. We invest heavily in developing individuals, who become a part of powerful teams, who turn Cisco from the “Best Place to Work” to “The Place People Can Do Their Best Work.” Q: Can you tell us more about your work with The Multiplier Effect and its mission? A: The Multiplier Effect (TME) is a globally available sponsorship program built on the belief that we can change the equation for diversity in the workplace through meaningful sponsorships. Data tells us that, when leaders pledge to sponsor at least one person different from them, we can collectively have a multiplier effect on building a diverse pipeline of extraordinary talent – at every level, and across all industries. At Cisco, our mission is to Power an Inclusive Future for all, meaning that we hold ourselves responsible for bridging the gaps of inequity and exclusion globally. I’m particularly passionate about building teams that are reflective of the world we live in, and creating opportunities for our future generation of leaders. We have seen incredible change happen, barriers removed, and underrepresented employees find support in remarkable ways. As the executive sponsor of TME, we have built sponsorship as a core attribute inside of our people strategy and are excited to understand the impact it will have.
LAURA QUINTANA
VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY
Laura Quintana leads Cisco Networking Academy, the world’s largest and longest-running corporate social responsibility education program. As Vice President and General Manager, she directs strategy, global field operations, and educational technology offerings to advance the Academy’s skills-to-jobs training in 180 countries. Under Laura’s leadership, 2.3 million students en-
36 LATINO LEADERS MAY / JUNE 2021
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