Padmasree Warrior
Even though he is not CEO until July, the incoming CEO of Cisco, Chuck Robbins, has already reshuffled the decks at the networking giant, appointing 10 new executives to key management positions.
It has also been confirmed that Cisco’s celebrated CTO and strategy officer Padmasree Warrior will be leaving Cisco in the coming months. It is believed she intends to pursue a CEO role elsewhere or join a venture capital firm.
Robbins was announced as CEO of Cisco in recent weeks and will pick up the reins on 25 July. Former CEO John Chambers will become executive chairman of the famed Silicon Valley company.
Robbins described the “next generation executive leadership team” as key to differentiating Cisco in a complex market.
Cisco shuffle
“We have been developing and attracting our next generation of leaders for many years, and I’m confident that this team is ready to lead Cisco’s next chapter. They know how Cisco works, what makes Cisco great, and how we can accelerate our current momentum. Some have been with the company for as long as I have or longer, a third have joined Cisco in the last three years, and others are new to Cisco.”
New executives are Hilton Romanski (CTO and strategy officer); Francine Katsoudas (chief people officer); Rebecca Jacoby (SVP, operations); Joe Cozzolino (SVP, services); Chris Dedicoat (SVP, worldwide sales); Pankaj Patel (EVP, development); Kelly Kramer (CFO), Mark Chandler (general counsel) and Ruba Borno (VP, growth initiatives).
Robbins thanked outgoing executives Wim Elfrink, outgoing chief globalisation officer, and Edzard Overbeek, outgoing senior vice president of Cisco services.
Of Warrior he said: “She is well known across the industry and the globe, and has been a champion internally for innovation, strategic partnerships, investments, and mergers and acquisitions.
“Padmasree has led the success of many of our strategic partnerships and will remain with us until September to help finalise some of our key partnerships for the future. I am grateful for the impact she’s had on Cisco and her commitment to helping us finalise these important alliances.”
