Inclusion & Diversity

The Cisco Inclusion and Diversity Executive Board consists of vice presidents and senior vice presidents who govern a coalition of inclusion and diversity leaders. These leaders report directly to each organization and business function to integrate inclusion and diversity into business processes and operations worldwide.

The Board is responsible for raising issues to the Operating Committee and CEO, setting the overall direction based on company priorities and program expectations. Many of the organizations have also formed inclusion leadership teams to drive programs and approaches that optimize their area of the business.

The Cisco Inclusion and Diversity Executive Board was recently acknowledged by industry peers in receiving the Annual Diversity Council Honors Award. Since its conception, the Board has:

• Added an inclusion index to the annual Cisco Employee Pulse Survey monitoring the level of employee engagement
• Added inclusion and diversity goals for every employee as part of the annual focal review process
• Equalized healthcare benefits for gay, lesbian, and transgender (GLBT) employees

The Board also:

• Provided executive support for the 12 Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and approved a market-leading ERG progression model and indicator
• Supported the creation of a formal program to recognize ERG leaders
• Approved and refined business stakeholder reviews — metrics for accountability
• Provided oversight regarding the inclusion and diversity communications and marketing plan
• Appointed Cisco's first chief diversity officer in 2007