Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Nakia Stringfield has been a proud Cisconian since 2000. Read about how Cisco's commitment to DEI learning and development enabled her to invest in herself and take ownership of her career.

In honor of International Women in Engineering, we spotlight two extraordinary women at Cisco, Priya Aiyer, and Christelle Mombo-Zigah. Here, they share their career journeys, experiences and insights from their participation in Cisco’s Exemplar Diverse Female Mentee program.

In May, we celebrate the history and culture of the Asian American Pacific Islander, Jewish, and Haitian communities, but we also can focus on heritage overall. At Cisco, we are committed to ensuring a welcoming, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all.

At age 12, Alvio Barrios left Cuba as a refugee on the Mariel Boatlift, a six-month period in April of 1980 allowing Cubans to emigrate to other countries. Alvio shares how his journey influenced his identity, leadership style, and belief in a life lived with a sense of adventure.

A recent Women at Cisco event at Bennett College demonstrated how entry-level digital and cybersecurity skills can enhance students' competitive edge, no matter their career choice. Cisco is dedicated to creating opportunity for non-technical students in the IT field as we support the strategic sustainability and legacy of HBCUs like Bennett College.

Uniting our world – becoming truly “unidos” – starts with inclusivity. To honor Hispanic Heritage Month (and all year long), here are three ways to celebrate, uplift and foster a stronger future for the Latinx community.

Having a mentor can prove to be a fantastic experience, providing a source of support, feedback, advice and inspiration. Maite shares a discussion on mentorship with friends and colleagues, providing guidance on seeking a mentor and making the most out of this unique relationship.

In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd) our offices in multiple cities around the world were lit purple. This global movement was started by PurpleSpace.org to celebrate and draw attention to the economic contribution of the 386 million disabled employees around the world.

I’ve always thought I had a strong support network, until I saw what that looked like for others. I wondered how my peers were able to navigate these corporate streets, arriving on time and unscathed. They were climbing the proverbial ladder and progressing in ways I wasn’t; even the ones I outperformed - by far. I learned it was because they had active sponsorship.