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Chuck Robbins

Chair and Chief Executive Officer

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Chuck Robbins serves as the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco, which has been connecting the world for the past 40 years. With its industry-leading portfolio of solutions, Cisco is now revolutionizing how infrastructure and data connect and protect organizations in the AI era. He was named CEO in July of 2015, before being elected Chair of the Board on December 11, 2017. For over 25 years at Cisco, Robbins has demonstrated a keen understanding of the rapidly evolving business landscape and the critical role of technology in addressing both customer and global challenges. The company's recent strategic shift has seen a renewed emphasis on software and services, cloud-native applications, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sustainability, and the advancement of networking – further solidifying Cisco's relevance in the digital era. Robbins has championed initiatives across the company to enhance employee experience and culture, contributing to Cisco earning the top spot on World’s Best Workplaces, Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, People’s Companies that Care, and various other lists throughout his tenure. Prior to becoming CEO, Robbins led Cisco’s global sales organization. He also held various leadership roles in regional sales, as well as Cisco’s partner organization, where he was instrumental in building one of the industry’s most robust partner programs. Outside of his work at Cisco, Robbins is the current Chair of the Business Roundtable; on the Board of Directors for BlackRock; Chairman Emeritus of the US-Japan Business Council; a Member of the International Business Council for the World Economic Forum; a Member of the American Heart Association’s CEO Roundtable; a member of the 2019 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; and Vice Chair on the Corporate Fund Board for the Kennedy Center. Beyond the boardroom, Robbins is also known for his passion for philanthropy and giving back, particularly in STEM, homelessness, and connecting the unconnected – all supporting his belief in the transformative power of technology. He also balances his professional responsibilities with a strong commitment to his personal life, whether spending quality time with his family, pursuing his love of the outdoors by fishing or golfing, or cheering on his Alma Mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a concentration in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2022. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Georgia Tech University in December of 2023.

Articles

November 18, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Our Unique Focus on Making the World a Better Place

2 min read

In a world of constant change, one thing that has remained consistent over my past 18 years at Cisco is that customers and government leaders truly believe in the transformative...

November 8, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Partnering to Accelerate Innovation, Growth, and Customer Value

1 min read

At Cisco, we have long believed in the power of relationships. Recently, I’ve laid out how we plan to be the most strategic technology partner to our customers, and while we are very focused on the opportunities ahead, it’s clear that no one company can deliver the full breadth of technology solutions that customers need […]

October 5, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Why Cisco is the Most Strategic Digital Partner

4 min read

Since taking over as CEO, I have spent a lot of my time listening. I’ve met with customers, partners, government leaders, investors, and Cisco’s employees.   Each conversation yielded new insights and fueled my continued optimism about our future. What I have learned has not only helped solidify my thinking, but has enabled our entire leadership […]

September 23, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Cisco and China: A Long Term View

2 min read

This week’s first state visit to the U.S. by China’s President Xi Jinping comes at an important moment for our countries, and for our industry, as President Xi meets with a number of important U.S. technology companies including Cisco. We have a long history in China spanning over 20 years, and today we continue to […]

August 31, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Combining the Power of Cisco and Apple

2 min read

In today’s world, technology is changing how we work every day. We’re always on the go – working from anywhere in the world at any time, and we’re increasingly dependent on our mobile devices to keep us connected. We want the best user experience regardless of where we are, and we want to know that […]

July 27, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Cisco’s Next Chapter Starts Today

3 min read

Today is a new day for all of us at Cisco, and I could not be more excited for our future. Under John’s leadership over the past 20 years, we have changed the way the world works, lives, plays and learns. We’re so well positioned in the market because of the vision, strategy and culture […]

July 22, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Preparing for Cisco’s Next Chapter

3 min read

Next week, I start my new role as Cisco’s CEO. The past 90 days of my transition period have been as intense and inspiring as I expected, and I am even more excited about our next chapter. As I said I would, I have spent most of the last few months listening to our employees, […]

Next Generation Executive Leadership Team

7 min read

Today I’m extremely proud and excited to announce my next generation executive leadership team who will lead Cisco into the digital age. With the increasing pace and complexity of today’s market, it’s critical that our leadership team understands our customers, delivers results, brings diverse perspectives and experiences, and builds world-class, highly motivated teams. This is […]

Leadership Transitions for the Digital Age

3 min read

Over the last three years at Cisco, we’ve accomplished incredible things amidst an unbelievably dynamic time in our industry. During this period, we’ve delivered industry-leading innovation and increased our relevance with customers, and transformed Cisco. Our Presidents, Rob Lloyd and Gary Moore, have played a significant role in driving these results. Thanks to their vision, […]