2015-Nov-13

Faster, Higher, Stronger: Meet Kelli Lee

Kelli Lee · IT Analyst · U.S.

Kelli Lee may be a newcomer to the Cisco community, but her ties to the company run deep. As a child, her mother would bring her to Cisco’s Take Your Child to Work Day, where Kelli realized early on that she wanted to work in the kind of environment that Cisco fostered. With her sights set on a career in IT from a young age, Kelli refused to let any obstacles stand in her way of becoming a member of the Cisco family.

Kelli seeks to embody the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger”

"Since birth, I have had to prove to myself and everyone around me that no matter what struggles you may have, you always need to strive for your goal," Kelli said. "Today, I am living my dream of working at Cisco. My past experience provided me with strength and ability to do my best."

Born with Cerebral Palsy, Kelli’s path has not always been easy, but she has never let her disability define her. Instead she became an advocate for the disabled through work with organizations such as the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center. During her time at San Jose State University, as well as with an internship at the United States Department of Agriculture, Kelli continued to work towards her dream of changing society’s perception of people with disabilities. Following her time at the USDA, Kelli accepted an IT internship and ultimately a full-time position at Cisco, where she found an environment in which she could flourish and continue to spread awareness for the disability community.

"I am grateful to represent the disabled community and share the innovating technology that Cisco provides," Kelli said. "The Cisco culture and people are amazing, and I look forward to empowering others to believe in their own success."

With a passion for sports since childhood, Kelli seeks to embody the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger"–even if it isn’t in the conventional sense.

"Even though I have challenges," she said, "it doesn’t stop me from reaching my goal. I may take double or triple the time as someone else, but I am still able to reach higher to strive for success. As I look at where I am now, being faster may not always be the right move, but taking time to do it right will take you further."

Today, Kelli works on the IT Talent Team helping to onboard new hires to the company. She strives every day to live out Our People Deal, and set an example within Cisco and the disability community of what can be accomplished with perseverance and a positive mindset.

"My motto is that I may be disabled, but I am able. I am able to achieve anything I set my mind to.  I want to continue to motivate and encourage people to do amazing things in their own way," she says. "I am grateful to represent the disabled community and share the innovating technology that Cisco provides."

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