Denise Lee

Vice President

Energy Networking Systems

Denise Lee is Vice President for Cisco’s Energy Networking Systems, where she leads a pioneering team shaping the future of sustainable, AI-ready infrastructure across the technology industry. Building on her previous leadership of Cisco’s Engineering Sustainability Office, Denise steered the organization’s evolution from foundational sustainability efforts to a strategic focus on integrating advanced energy management and power distribution and cooling technologies and capabilities throughout Cisco’s portfolio. Denise is a transformational leader with deep expertise in business strategy, product marketing, and operational growth within complex, matrixed environments. A Silicon Valley veteran, she bridges startup agility with enterprise scale to drive high-performing teams. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to purpose-driven innovation, specifically championing sustainability, renewable energy, and social responsibility to deliver long-term industry impact. Denise serves on the boards of NEMA and Junior Achievement (Northern California and Global Advisory). She also provides strategic guidance as an advisory board member for Stanford SILICON and the UNESCO Chair in Digital Futures, championing the intersection of technology, education, and global social progress. Denise holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.

Articles

DATA CENTER

Denise Lee

Built like a startup, scaled like Cisco: Transforming data center cooling for the AI era

4 min read

When air cooling hit its limits, a small Cisco team moved ahead of the curve and built a direct-liquid-cooled network switch. This is the story of how the startup mentality drives innovation at Cisco scale.

DATA CENTER

Denise Lee

The New Standard for Accurate Power Measurement in AI Data Centers

3 min read

As AI raises the stakes for energy efficiency, precision is paramount. Discover how Cisco researchers have achieved a breakthrough in power measurement accuracy—paving the way for substantially smarter infrastructure decision-making.

INNOVATION

Denise Lee

Stephen Kelly

Driving IT Sustainability in the AI Era

2 min read

Discover how Cisco and NTT DATA are driving IT sustainability for clients in the AI Era, turning challenges into opportunities for innovation.

INNOVATION

Denise Lee

Supercharge Your Network with Power and Cooling: An Innovation Blueprint

2 min read

Recently formed Engineering Alliances program to introduce validated solutions across four breakthrough customer-ready use cases at Cisco Live EMEA.

CISCO CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Denise Lee

Right-sizing artificial intelligence: The overlooked key to more sustainable technology

4 min read

As artificial intelligence (AI) moves from the hypothetical to the real world of practical applications, it’s becoming clear that bigger is not always better. Check in with Aleksandra Przegalińska and Denise Lee to learn more.

INNOVATION

Denise Lee

Charting the path to a sustainable future with AI for energy efficiency

4 min read

You can’t greenwash AI. In 2024, organizations will have greater clarity and insights into achieving sustainability outcomes.

DATA CENTER

Denise Lee

Reimagine Your Data Center for Responsible AI Deployments

3 min read

Cisco is evaluating the intersection of sustainability and technology to create a more sustainable AI infrastructure that addresses the implications of what generative AI will do to the amount of compute needed in the future.

PARTNER

Andrew Sage

Denise Lee

Prioritizing sustainability can open doors to profitability

3 min read

Cisco has made sustainability a priority for many years, and we recently launched Cisco’s next generation environmental sustainability strategy. As a part of that, we have also set a goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our value chain by 2040.

INNOVATION

Denise Lee

Building a Sustainable Future Together

4 min read

Cisco is innovating to help our customers lower emissions, increase energy efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint, as well as provide visibility and insights to support our customer’s sustainability initiatives. Here are practical steps to getting started on the Net Zero journey.