Cisco Blogs
Voice Search is currently unavailable
Powered by Google Web Speech API
We didn't hear that. Try again.
When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select
Avatar

Par Merat

Vice President

Learn with Cisco

Par is Vice President of Cisco Learning & Certifications, focused on helping IT professionals and software developers learn, innovate, and grow. She is a lifelong learning and technology advocate, and a Cisco veteran with a breadth of experience. She led the Collaboration independent software vendor program, established the Cisco’s successful SolutionsPlus program, was co-founder of Cisco DevNet, and led the DevNet Partner Transformation initiative. Par has been with Cisco for over 15 years, serving a variety of leadership roles including Senior Director of DevNet CX Community & Ecosystems, with a focus on business development and leading partner-centric programs. She was a Sr. Director of Business Development and Sr. Director of Strategic Planning and Operations for Cisco DevNet, and Sr. Manager of Business Development for the Cisco Collaboration Technology Group. Prior to joining Cisco, Par directed business development strategy at Vovida Networks and was a regional sales leader for Digital Publishing Systems at Xerox. She is a native Californian, based in the San Francisco bay area. She has long been an active mentor within Cisco and a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul, which provides assistance to those in need. When Par is not working, you can find her sailing on the San Francisco bay or hiking with her Airedale Terrier.

Articles

November 4, 2025

LEARN WITH CISCO

Meeting Industry Demand with a New Certification in AI Infrastructure

4 min read

Introducing a new AI infrastructure certification, new learning in our AI Business Practitioner Learning Path, and our AI Technical Practitioner certification.

October 21, 2025

LEARN WITH CISCO

Showcasing Innovation and Commitment at NetAcad’s European Partner Conference

3 min read

Discover how Cisco NetAcad is preparing the European workforce for an AI-enabled future, training 1.5 million Europeans with foundational digital skills by 2030.

September 16, 2025

LEARN WITH CISCO

Learn with Cisco Introduces New AI Training for the Evolving Skills of Today’s Workforce

3 min read

Introducing new AI training and certification for professionals to integrate AI responsibly, effectively, and strategically into their organizations.

August 27, 2025

LEARN WITH CISCO

In-Demand Skills for the Modern Network Engineer

5 min read

How can I make sure my skills stay relevant in my industry? What skills are most in-demand for the job I have now – and the job I want in three years? At Learn with Cisco, these are the questions we hear all the time. And advances in AI put pressure on all of us […]

May 27, 2025

LEARN WITH CISCO

Learn with Cisco: Evolving for the Age of AI, Automation, and Cloud

4 min read

Learn about important changes to DevNet, Cybersecurity, and Collaboration Specialist Certifications coming in February 2026.

February 6, 2025

OUR CORPORATE PURPOSE

Honoring Cisco Networking Academy partners around the globe

5 min read

A year in review As we look back on a remarkable year at Cisco Networking Academy, we celebrate our enduring legacy as one of the longest-standing IT skills-to-jobs programs in the world. In line with Cisco’s mission to Power an Inclusive Future for All, we have continued to transform lives by bridging digital divides and […]

February 11, 2025

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Cisco Learning Promotes AI Readiness with AI Learning Journey and New Certifications

5 min read

Our new AI Infrastructure learning path covers the entire AI learning continuum, from entry level to expert. By following this learning path, built with a focus on multi-vendor deployments, professionals will gain the AI infrastructure skills needed to move their organizations and their careers forward.

September 5, 2024

OUR CORPORATE PURPOSE

Cisco Networking Academy unveils new unified teaching and learning experience on NetAcad.com

1 min read

All of our offerings from NetAcad.com and SkillsForAll.com are now integrated into a single, unified teaching and learning experience on the new NetAcad.com platform.

June 4, 2024

LEARN WITH CISCO

Cisco Helps Build AI Workforce With New Skills Certification

3 min read

Par Merat, VP of Learning & Certifications, announces a new expert-level certification from Cisco, focused on designing for AI infrastructure.