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Rachael Chambers

Director, Strategy and Planning

People and Communities

RACHAEL CHAMBERS, is a 19-year Cisco veteran with experience in multiple organizations including People and Communities, Sales Operations, and IT. Before Cisco, her career includes tenures at Google, Netscape, Excite and MCI. She holds a BA from the University of California at San Diego. In January 2023, Rachael joined the Global Employee Relations organization to lead the Communications, Employee Experience, and Infrastructure team. Prior to her role in People and Communities she was the Director of Strategy and Planning for Cisco’s Global Enterprise West (GESW) sales team. She partnered with the Area Vice President and leadership team to provide strategic direction and translate the high-level strategy into field-level functional impact for the $2B sales organization. This included developing and implementing business processes with associated success metrics, training programs and executive level communications. She also partnered with key stakeholders across the area and segment to build strong strategic partnerships and joint strategies. Operationally, she led the yearly Fiscal New Year Planning process with the Finance and Sales Advisor teams. She served as the co-chair for the Global Enterprise Segment Culture team focused on programs that drove employee recruitment, recognition, retention. Rachael also leads the GES Give Back initiative for the Covenant House. For the last 7 years, she’s successfully led the global give back effort that resulted in Cisco being awarded the top fundraising team and “Partner of the Year” for 4 years in a row. The global efforts have raised over $15M across fundraising, technology grants, and emergency funding. In 2019, she was inducted into the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame for the “Don’t Give Up” award and in 2022 was awarded the “Cash, Sweat, and Tears” Award from the Peer to Peer Professional Forum. Rachael currently serves on the California Covenant House Board of Directors and volunteers for multiple animal rescue organizations. Her family includes her husband of 22 years, two children, 5 dogs, many cats, and various other rescued creatures. She is an avid photographer, loves hiking along the California coast, and is a huge San Jose Sharks hockey fan.

Articles

May 9, 2023

WE ARE CISCO

The Perfect Recipe for PTO (Personal Time Off)

3 min read

Director of Strategy and Planning Rachael C. took time off and left her laptop behind. Then, she discovered the perfect recipe for PTO and being fully present.

On Giving Tuesday, the World needs YOU

4 min read

This Giving Tuesday, Rachael shares her experience giving back and provides tips on how to get involved with helping others.

March 4, 2021

WE ARE CISCO

Just Say Yes! 

4 min read

Director of Strategy & Planning, Rachael shares her survivor story this Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in hopes others will say "yes" to getting screened.