Dima Kandalaft

Dima Kandalaft is the Senior Director of Cisco’s Country Digitization Acceleration (CDA) program for the Middle East and Africa, bringing over 27 years of expertise in management and technology consulting. She is dedicated to partnering with governments and industries to drive digital transformation initiatives that empower nations, businesses, and communities across the region. In her role at Cisco, Dima leads strategic efforts aimed at accelerating digital adoption, advancing IoT innovation, strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing digital skills, and promoting sustainability. Her work reflects her passion for leveraging technology to create meaningful, inclusive change and aligns with Cisco’s purpose of “Powering an inclusive future for all.” Through fostering strategic partnerships, Dima ensures impactful collaborations that support long-term progress and innovation. Prior to joining Cisco, Dima served as the Smart Cities and Government industry leader at IBM, where she successfully developed new markets, built trusted C-level relationships, and provided thought leadership to help organizations address complex challenges. Her earlier roles at PwC and Accenture further solidified her deep expertise in technology-driven transformation and strategic consulting. Dima holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s degree in Digital Education from the University of Edinburgh, underlining her commitment to lifelong learning and innovation in the digital age.