"At Cisco, we have worked strategically to increase female participation"

Cisco’s intern program is one of the best in the region and ensures a constant pipeline of talent

Leaders League: The technology sector is still an environment where female representation in leadership positions is limited. From your experience, what are the most critical barriers to greater equity in leadership for women?

Alba San Martin Piaggio: It is critical to address equity at multiple levels. From childhood, it is key to encourage girls’ interest in STEM careers, broadening their perspectives through role models and testimonials from female leaders. In many households, gaps in the distribution of responsibilities still persist, impacting women’s career development opportunities.

In addition, within organizations, it is essential to implement inclusive recruitment policies, ensuring a diverse pool of candidates in each selection process. At Cisco, we have worked strategically to increase female participation, including interns in all areas, promoting equitable selection processes with interviewers of both sexes and opening opportunities to candidates from diverse universities and careers.

These actions have been key to achieving greater equity in our team, improving the organizational climate and strengthening the culture of diversity and inclusion. As a result, we have been recognized on several occasions as a Great Place to Work, reflecting the positive impact of these initiatives on the professional development of women in the technology sector.

Throughout your career at Cisco, what have been the most significant challenges in your leadership journey and how have you turned them into opportunities for growth?

Alba San Martin Piaggio: One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the multiple roles I play: as a mother, professional, friend and MBA student. On many occasions, I felt that I had too many responsibilities at the same time, but I have always tried not to let any of them go. Fortunately, I have had the support of my family, which has allowed me to develop fully in each area without compromising my goals.

These challenges pushed me to be a highly organized person, establishing clear plans, goals and priorities. In addition, I learned to identify and develop strong work teams, fostering a culture of collaboration that allowed me to achieve results efficiently.

In times of growth, when hiring personnel was not a viable option, we opted to strengthen our internship program, training them to support our operations. This strategy not only optimized our resources, but also became one of the best practices in the region, ensuring a constant pipeline of talent.

Cisco is recognized for its culture of innovation and transformational leadership. What practices would you highlight that foster effective leadership in the industry?

Teamwork, building long-term relationships and strategic alliances are key to sustainable and large-scale growth

Alba San Martin Piaggio: Cisco has a culture based on collaboration and innovation, where the objectives are clearly defined, but with enough flexibility to design strategies adapted to different contexts and global teams.

Among the practices that I consider fundamental are the promotion of a strong organizational culture based on diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition, Cisco promotes a positive impact on the community, generating a collaborative, efficient and highly productive work environment.

I strongly believe in the value of strategic alliances. At Cisco, we have built a channel ecosystem that allows us to serve markets throughout Latin America, even in countries where we have no physical presence. Similarly, through Cisco Networking Academy, we have established agreements with entities such as the Ministry of Education, the Armed Forces and SENATI, which has enabled us to train more than two million students in digital skills. For me, teamwork, building long-term relationships and strategic alliances are key to sustainable and large-scale growth.

In a world where digital evolution is advancing at a rapid pace, what advice would you give to young professionals who aspire to be future leaders in the tech sector?

Alba San Martin Piaggio: Continuous learning is the key to standing out in the technology industry. Digitalization is advancing rapidly, and it is essential to keep up to date with new trends and knowledge. Fortunately, today there are multiple free and accessible resources for training and specialization, so there are no excuses for not continuing to learn.

A practical tip for young professionals is not to be afraid to take on new challenges and responsibilities. The best way to differentiate yourself is to get involved in projects in different areas, collaborate with diverse teams and expand your network. This will not only allow you to acquire new skills, but also generate visibility and open doors to future growth opportunities.