When a friend encouraged me to apply for an open role at Cisco, I almost didn’t do it. I made every excuse in the book, hesitating and delaying, but my friend kept pushing. I eventually applied and reluctantly agreed to interview … just to see how it would go.
To be quite honest, I didn’t think I would last long at Cisco. It always seemed like such a big dream. But now, 12 amazing years later, I can honestly say that I have grown in ways I never imagined.
When I interviewed for the Partner Account Manager (PAM) role, the hiring manager asked me about my target at my previous company, and said, “Your number in Kenyan shillings is not even close to what it would be in dollars.” I panicked for a moment, but she reassured me that I would have everything I needed to succeed. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was then that I noticed the interviewers cared more about my attitude and potential than my exact experience.
After two interviews, I was ready to accept the offer. My references were checked, and just like that, I was in. I had to pinch myself to believe it was true.
Once I started, I quickly realized that at Cisco, you aren’t just given a target; you’re given a support system. From the team to the mentorship and the training provided, the culture here is designed to enable you to succeed, not just test if you can survive.
Joining Cisco was the biggest leap of my life — from unstructured to structured, unintentional to intentional, lone ranger to team player, and tardiness to timeliness. My journey has been one of growth, not just in my career — starting as a Partner Account Manager and moving into the deep end as an Account Executive — but also in how I see the world around me.
Early in my Cisco journey, I learned some of my colleagues willingly ran marathons in their free time. I used to poke fun at them during lunch banter, and they told me I wouldn’t understand because I wasn’t a runner. At the time, the only running I did was running errands.
Then one day, one of them said to me, “You would never beat me in a race.” That triggered something in me.
Cisco was sponsoring anyone interested in running the Lewa Marathon, one of the toughest runs in a conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya. I raised my hand and suddenly had four pins and a running t-shirt. On race day, I found myself at the starting line unprepared, but ready, thinking, “How hard can this be?” My, my, my, it was hard. I limped the entire way, but finished my first 21K. Interestingly, I may have caused two of my colleagues to run their fastest times out of fear that a newbie who had never run before would beat them.
After that first race, I started running in my neighborhood every chance I got, enrolled in every marathon, and now I run every morning. Running has become as natural to me as breathing, and not running feels empty. That morning run helps me start my day before I get to work supporting our major customers across East Africa.
Along the way, Cisco introduced Pavelka, a program dedicated to employee well-being. I had never seen anything like it — having a dedicated resource to help me be the best version of myself, physically and mentally. Pavelka helped me understand the benefits of movement and its effects on the brain, explaining why I feel more connected to my job after a run because of the feelings it triggers. I eventually learned that this wasn’t just about running; it was about holistic health. I realized that Cisco cares about me as a whole person, not just the work I do. This sense of support and belonging inspired how I show up for others, too.
A couple of years into my career here, I found a space for something I had cared about long before joining Cisco: equality, justice, and fairness. I was immediately drawn to two of Cisco’s Inclusive Communities — employee-led communities that are open to all — Connected Black Professionals (CBP) and Women of Cisco. I’ve always been inspired by leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., who taught us that the time is always right to do what is right.
Leading CBP in Kenya has given me a chance to put that into practice. By partnering with other Inclusive Communities and programs, we can look beyond race and have the real, sometimes difficult, conversations that make work feel safer and more inclusive for everyone. It’s not about big movements, but being part of a team and community that does the daily, intentional work of creating a culture where everyone feels they can bring their whole selves to work and truly belong. This role has taught me so much, especially about the power of empathy and the importance of addressing unconscious bias head-on, making us all stronger together.
People often ask why I’ve stayed for 12 years. For me, Cisco is not just a workplace; it’s where my values and my career converge. It’s a culture where management and peers provide the tools to help you win — whether that’s through impactful training, genuinely engaging with our health, or having important conversations. I don’t think any other organization would have given me the opportunity to travel the journey I have been on, and for that, I am truly grateful.
If you’re hesitating to take a leap, like I once was, remember that here, you aren’t just building a career — you’re building a community that pushes you to be your best self.
Ready to find your own path? See where your values and career can converge. Explore Cisco careers now.
