Meet the Cisco NFL All-Pro Team Winners

Administrative Assistant, CXP Mac Smith founded and spearheads the Global Ambassadors for Change program at Cisco.

This initiative provides technical skills to underserved Black and Brown communities through orientation, soft skills training, mentorship, and more.

“Coming from a similar background as most of our students and a city of underserved people, I wanted to create an opportunity for any young person from underserved communities interested in technology to find a pathway to economic equality.”

Humbled by being chosen as a member of the NFL All-Pro Team, Mac dedicated his selection to his family, as well as his Cisco managers and executive sponsor.

Technical Solutions Architect, Meraki Ray Flores is a selfless leader who regularly puts the interests of his team ahead of himself.

Along with covering some of the largest and most demanding customers in Texas, Ray works to implement a culture of diversity and inclusivity across the company.

As a veteran, he is dedicated to giving back to the veteran community through contributions across a variety of philanthropic organizations.

Ray’s journey started out with veteran’s outreach, but grew into assisting underrepresented students of color, finding ways to help the children at the border, and bringing light to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women mission.

“Every outreach, mission, campaign, nonprofit that I support is personal to me,” he explains.

Lifecyle Solutions Program Manager, CX Wendee Howell has been with Cisco for over 13 years, and currently works in the Portfolio Management and Shared Services Organization.

Getting her start in technology would not have been possible without the mentorship of her loving father, who was the first person to see Wendee’s passion every time she touched a keyboard.

Unfortunately, her father passed during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she was unable to be by his side due to hospital restrictions. Because of this, Wendee became inspired to find a better way for patients to connect with their families, and she started the Dougie Fund to honor her dad’s passion for giving back.

Honored to be selected as part of the NFL All-Pro Team, Wendee dedicates her win in loving memory her my dad, Doug Schultz. “His legacy lives on in me.”

Technical Consulting Engineer, TAC Support Ramez Salman grew up in Palestine, spending his first 18 years there before moving to the U.S. to obtain his Electrical Engineering degree at San Jose State University.

He comes from a background where poverty, high unemployment rates, deep prejudice, and a lack of everyday resources are all too familiar.

As someone who feels blessed to have the opportunity to live and work in the U.S., Ramez does whatever he can give back to those in need.

Ramez is committed to improving the lives of Palestinian children through education and internet literacy. During a week of Time2Give in 2019, he volunteered at the SOS Children Villages in Palestine. He believes it is his responsibility to try and give back to those in need.

Ramez is happy to be recognized by Cisco to help represent and encourage others to do their part to progress towards a more inclusive future for all.

Senior Manager, Partner Marketing Dean Viall has been a valued member of the RTP Marketing team at Cisco for over 20 years. But his greatest impact lies with the people he leads and mentors, and his approach to true partnership.

After his 15-year-old daughter Hannah passed in a car accident, Dean took it upon himself to honor his daughter in the most inspirational and impactful way possible.

He started the Live Like Hannah Foundation, dedicated to awarding college scholarships to high school students who embody Hannah’s spirit to Love, Include, and Value Everyone. Dean believes, “As an NFL All-Pro Team member, I live my life with the desire to make a difference in someone’s life.”

He lives by the quote, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Category and Supplier Specialist Harun Bakimli has only been at Cisco since August 2021 but has already made a major impact on those around him.

As a German immigrant and eight-year U.S. Navy veteran, Harun is dedicated to helping others be more prosperous and achieve their goals.

Before coming to RTP, Harun joined the Student Veterans of America which advocates for the rights of veterans to use their education benefits and help those veterans who couldn’t use their benefits during wartime or other conflicts.

He continues this mission at Cisco, joining internal employee resource organizations, including the VETS group, to drive awareness.

While Harun is honored to be a part of the NFL All-Pro Team, he explains, “Inclusivity should not be practiced for any rewards other than the growth of our mindsets towards a more inclusive community.”

Kayla Imo, Project Manager, Meraki handles recruitment for early career talent and program management for rising talent here at Cisco.

Throughout her professional life, Kayla has dedicated herself to utilizing her influence and responsibility towards growing a diverse and inclusive work force.

Kayla knows the importance of each and every early-in-career hire she makes. As she puts it, “They will become the future leaders of our organization, which is why it’s so critical to hire with a diversity of thought, opinion, and background to influence the business in a positive way.”

For Kayla, her focus on the next generation of leaders isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. She hopes others can be inspired by her passion to enact change inside and outside of the organization.

Business Operations Manager, CX Drew McInnis enjoys his day job at Cisco as an Upsell Strategist within CX Renewals Transformation, but his passion is being the bridge that provides his coworkers with as many meaningful connections as possible.

Drew strongly believes in his mission to use his relationships to connect those around him for mentorship, sponsorship, and guidance.

He has a true passion for connecting people at Cisco, which led him to work on assignments for the Talent Brand Team, including managing the @WeAreCisco Instagram and blog.

Most recently, Drew channeled this passion to co-lead the RTP Emerging Talent Inclusive Community. Above all else, Drew explains, “Investing earlier in careers will lead to lifetimes of innovation and inclusivity.”

High-Tech Operations Manager (HTOM), CX Bryan Ball became inspired to help power a more inclusive future the moment he joined Cisco in 2015 in the CX Academy.

Throughout his six years, Bryan has become integrally involved in Cisco’s recruiting and training programs to foster the next generation of technology leaders.

After the investment his colleagues and managers made in him, Bryan felt it was his responsibility to get involved so everyone can experience Cisco’s culture of inclusivity.

As a member of the HTOM Council, Bryan is committed to making sure that every new member of the HTOM community gets the same opportunity to have the incredible experiences that he has.

Executive Assistant, Supply Chain Operations Blanca Samano is a superstar employee who coordinates across teams, works seamlessly across the Cisco executive assistant community, puts others above herself both at work and at home.

She has built deep relationships with her coworkers through her participation in several internal Cisco programs. Blanca is also focused on increasing education for underrepresented groups externally through her involvement in organizations. This includes Urban Assembly, where she sits on the Global Commerce Board as secretary; Cristo Rey; and Arizona State University’s Supply Chain School, where she serves as a board member.

Blanca is honored to be selected as an NFL All-Pro Team member, and shares, “Being nominated means I might be doing something good, but there is still more to do.”

Services Delivery Leader, CX Jonathan Greenwood comes from humble beginnings in Compton, California. Through hard work and determination, he is now the Services Delivery Leader for one of Cisco’s largest customers.

Jonathan is a rising star in the organization who has established himself as an excellent leader. He seamlessly picked up additional responsibilities in light of significant adversity on his team.

Jonathan takes bold steps by being the bridge between Cisco and all external organizations. He performs all of his tasks with passion and resolve. He propesl his team towards their business goals and is always the hardest working person in the room.

For his tireless leadership and selfless work ethic, Jonathan is more than deserving of his NFL All-Pro Team selection.

Director, Engineering Ritesh Kapahi brings energy, enthusiasm, and vision to make Cisco a truly inclusive community for all.

Throughout his time at Cisco, his work to establish authentic connections with teammates and those he’s worked with on cross functional projects has  built a collective organization where everyone can feel free to be their authentic self.

During the heart of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Ritesh helped set up and inspire a group of volunteers that eventually turned into a group of more than 900 working around the clock to help those in need.

He is a staunch supporter of the PRIDE ERO, embodying Cisco’s culture of creating a welcoming atmosphere for all.

Ritesh is dedicated to helping source the next generation of engineering talent,  inspiring more than 200 future engineers with his involvement in Emerging Talent Recruitment.

Senior Program & Project Manager, Operations Neal Ahluwalia is a complete inclusivity all star.

In his daily role as a Product and Program Manager, Neal is beloved by Cisco’s business users, cross-functional partners, and teams due to his enthusiasm and method of solving problems with a cheerful attitude.

He always exercises compassion with team members and makes sure to respect everyone’s time and priorities for every project.

Neal is also a champion of inclusivity outside of work. He previously served as a U.S. National Coordinator for an international nonprofit organization that annually organizes events across the country.

Above all else, Neal stands out with his positive attitude, enthusiasm, and ability to collaborate as a true leader. He consistently embodies the values that are critical for powering a more inclusive future for all.

Systems Architect Spencer Visconti has spent his eight years at Cisco fanatically focused on learning about his customers and building incredible relationships.

He has a true talent to effortlessly bring people together, within all of his customers, partners, and extended team.

Along with his fantastic work, Spencer also powers an inclusive future in his home community in New Mexico.

He works with the San Juan Regional Medical Center in the remote Northwest. The organization provides healthcare to medically underserved Native American populations, where COVID-19 has a disproportionate impact. Spencer selflessly volunteers his time to help SJMRC expand their ability to provide care.