Par Merat

Vice President

Learn with Cisco

Par Merat is the vice president of Learn with Cisco, an organization that brings together Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco U., Cisco Certifications, and the Cisco Learning Network, the professional community to help students and IT professionals learn, innovate and grow. As the leader of Learn with Cisco, Par’s mission is to transform Cisco’s externally facing upskilling initiatives into powerful engines for business growth and social good. She works to bridge the digital skills gap by providing continuous learning and industry-leading certifications to Cisco’s customers, partners and the global workforce. Par is a lifelong learning and technology advocate, and a Cisco veteran with a depth and breadth of experience. She led the Collaboration independent software vendor program, established Cisco’s successful SolutionsPlus program, co-founded Cisco DevNet, and led the DevNet Partner Transformation initiative. Par has been with Cisco for more than 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 Senior Director of Business Development and Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Operations for Cisco DevNet, and Senior 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. Par is a native Californian, based in the San Francisco Bay area. She has long been an active member 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

OUR CORPORATE PURPOSE

Par Merat

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 […]

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Par Merat

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.

OUR CORPORATE PURPOSE

Par Merat

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.

LEARN WITH CISCO

Par Merat

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.

LEARN WITH CISCO

Par Merat

Enabling Network Engineering Skills in an AI World

3 min read

Cisco Learning & Certifications provides continuous upskilling opportunities as organizations look to AI’s transformative capabilities for a more productive and growth-enabled future. Get started on new learning opportunities today.

LEARN WITH CISCO

Par Merat

Cisco U. Wins Silver at Prestigious Awards

2 min read

Cisco U. has been recognized with a Silver Award for Best Advance in Education through Technology at the Brandon Hall Group's Technology Excellence Awards. Cisco U. provides a continuous learning approach to address the need for upskilling in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

LEARN WITH CISCO

Par Merat

Cisco Learning Partners Recognized for Excellence at the 2023 Cisco Learning Partner Awards

2 min read

Par Merat, VP, Learning & Certifications announces the 2023 Cisco Learning Partner Award Recipients, recognized for excellence in driving remarkable business outcomes and exceptional commitment to customers and Cisco.

LEARN WITH CISCO

Par Merat

New Cybersecurity and Cloud Skills to Protect Companies from Cybersecurity Attacks of the Future

3 min read

Cisco announces new Multicloud Certifications focused on connectivity and security to ensure IT professionals have the skills to defend future cyber-attacks – get started with a special deal on Cisco CyberOps training.

LEARN WITH CISCO

Laura Quintana

Par Merat

Bridging the Skills-to-Jobs Gap with a Learning Continuum Approach

2 min read

National Online Learning Day is a time to celebrate the latest iterations of educational technology. At Cisco, Skills For All and Cisco U. are making tech learning more accessible than ever before, with a learning continuum that bridges the gap and guides aspiring and current IT professionals to reach their career and certification goals.