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Francine Katsoudas

Executive Vice President

Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer

Francine Katsoudas is Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer of Cisco. In this role, Fran oversees critical functions that instill Cisco’s conscious culture, contribute to the company’s overall performance, and advance Cisco’s purpose to Power an Inclusive Future For All. As head of the People, Policy & Purpose Organization, Fran leads an ecosystem comprised of People & Communities, Corporate Affairs, Workplace Resources, and Government Affairs & Country Digital Acceleration. This strategic alignment of functions and expertise ensures holistic care for the well-being of Cisco’s people, establishes Cisco as a trusted and valued partner to governments and global leaders, and extends Cisco’s reach to positively impact communities everywhere in alignment with the company purpose. A 25-year veteran of Cisco, Fran has extensive experience leading organizational transformations, driving large scale growth, cultivating successful leaders and teams, and constructing an employee-first culture. Prior to her current role, she served as HR business partner to the Engineering leadership team, and held positions in the Service Provider, HR Operations, Customer Service, Acquisition Integration and Services groups. Prior to Cisco, Fran worked in both the financial and professional services industries with a focus on customer service and operations. Fran currently serves on the Board of Directors for Americares, Global Citizen, and ADP. Passionate about social justice, Fran is an activist and advocate for a variety of causes close to her heart, particularly women’s leadership, homeless youth, and the Latino community. A graduate of the University of California Berkeley, Fran lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children. Executive Biography

Articles

The Power of Purpose

3 min read

When we combine our business, technology, and a network of partners together with our purpose, we create a powerful force for lasting change. We have some incredible examples from this year in our Power of Purpose report, including the announcement that we achieved our goal of positively impacting 1 billion lives, and did so over a year early.

October 19, 2023

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Closing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap and Opening Opportunities

3 min read

Every day, we see powerful examples of how cybersecurity needs to be at the forefront of national security and business operations. Our goal is to strengthen our businesses, governments, and organizations by bridging the cyber skills gap — thereby creating opportunities that lead to a more diverse and inclusive global economy, for all.

March 17, 2023

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Standing With Ukraine—One Year Later

3 min read

It's been more than a year since the war in Ukraine began. While we reflect on the atrocities of the past year, we also reflect on the power of courage and resistance. Cisco continues to #StandWithUkraine in the fight for freedom, with hope for peace.

August 23, 2022

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Announcing the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge 2022 Winners

4 min read

Announcing the winners of the sixth annual Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge, an online competition for early-stage tech entrepreneurs solving the world’s most challenging problems. This year’s competition generated nearly 1,200 submissions from teams in 99 countries.

August 1, 2022

HIGH TECH POLICY

Jeff Campbell to Serve as Cisco’s Chief Government Strategy Officer

2 min read

Today, I am excited to announce that Senior Vice President Jeff Campbell has been promoted to Chief Government Strategy Officer of Cisco. Jeff succeeds Michael Timmeny, who previously held the role and opened Cisco’s Washington, D.C. office in 1998. Michael will now serve as an Executive Advisor for Cisco. As Chief Government Strategy Officer, Jeff […]

July 21, 2022

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Pharrell Williams and Cisco Partner to Drive an Inclusive Future in Education

3 min read

Cisco expands its partnership with Pharrell Williams’ nonprofit YELLOW to create a highly personalized and immersive education experience through YELLOWHAB. This is one more step in our mission to drive an inclusive future, demonstrating our commitment to both education and social justice.

March 23, 2022

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Supporting Ukraine – Within a Conscious Culture

7 min read

Cisco is committed to supporting Ukraine and impacted communities by showing up with intention and action, allowing the lessons learned from our purpose and Conscious Culture guide our response.

July 26, 2021

HIGH TECH POLICY

Now is the Moment for Broadband for All

3 min read

It’s imperative that America builds back better by providing broadband access to all Americans. Investments in rural broadband are overdue. At Cisco. we will do our part.

March 31, 2021

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Our Progress Towards Powering an Inclusive Recovery for All

5 min read

What will drive us all successfully into the future? Cisco EVP Fran Katsoudas shares how innovation and empathy will help ensure our recovery is an inclusive one.