Cisco Systems, Inc. - CSCO STOCK NEWS

Cisco's 'Striving for Sustainability' series highlights employees integrating sustainability into their work. This edition features Pelin Salem, a Radio Regulatory Technical Leader who initiated a test optimization project to reduce testing time, improve energy efficiency, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Her journey in sustainability began in her youth and was reinforced by personal experiences with natural disasters. Professionally, Pelin's career spans electrical engineering, academia, and bioscience, culminating in her role at Cisco. Her project, the 'Test Optimization Dashboard,' launched in March 2021, aims to automate testing processes, reduce energy consumption, and track GHG emissions. With executive support, the project achieved a 75% enablement rate across Cisco. Pelin's efforts contribute to Cisco's goals, such as integrating Circular Design Principles into new products by 2025. She emphasizes that everyone can contribute to sustainability through small, daily actions.

Cisco is honoring Juneteenth by sponsoring the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival for the third consecutive year. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans were informed of their freedom.

According to Gloria Goins, Cisco's Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, the day symbolizes freedom, resilience, and equality, which are values that transcend cultural boundaries. She reflects on her own family's history of overcoming adversity and emphasizes the importance of celebrating the strength and determination of those whose dreams were deferred.

Cisco is also committed to amplifying underrepresented voices by supporting Black-owned businesses, investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and advocating for the career advancement of Black employees.

The company encourages everyone to be change agents in the fight for equality and justice, urging continuous learning and unlearning to recognize and dismantle biases.

Cisco's Chief Social Impact Officer, Brian Tippens, recently engaged in a discussion on the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, focusing on the company's social impact mission. Leveraging technology, teams, resources, and an extensive ecosystem, Cisco aims to power an inclusive future for all. Tippens highlighted the benefits of social impact initiatives, emphasizing how they create positive change and benefit businesses. The conversation underscores Cisco's commitment to empowering one billion lives through technology and social innovation.

Cisco has partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to bridge the digital divide and support the Black community through a $150 million donation for STEM education and technology modernization over five years, starting in 2020. In collaboration with HBCUs, Cisco has donated $66 million in services and software, completed 46 NIST assessments, and set up 30 technology installations, preserving $1.5 billion in Title IV funding. Key achievements include the launch of Cisco Cyber Academy at Denmark Technical Institute, offering cybersecurity training and certifications. Cisco's initiatives aim to prepare Black leaders for the AI era, advancing inclusivity and systemic change within the education sector.

Cisco has announced a partnership with the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA, serving as the Official Network Equipment Partner. Cisco will enhance its legacy by providing secure and reliable connectivity across multiple venues in Los Angeles, ensuring seamless experiences for athletes, fans, and stakeholders. The company will also leverage this platform to promote its mission of powering an inclusive future, incorporating social impact programs like the Cisco Networking Academy. Since its partnership with the Olympics began in 2012, Cisco has played a important role in connectivity for past Games in London, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, and Paris.

Cisco Networking Academy's Women Rock-IT initiative has marked its 10th anniversary, addressing gender imbalance in the tech industry. The program features Learn-A-Thons, volunteer events, and live broadcasts with 141 speakers, reaching over 2 million viewers and leading to 868,481 course registrations. Women’s participation in Cisco Networking Academy courses rose from 20% to 27% globally over ten years, a 35% increase. The initiative aligns with International Girls in ICT Day, with this year’s focus on AI, impacting 36,025 students. A recent survey showed 63% of students use AI, with 17% having advanced skills. Prominent speakers included Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf and Dr. Elizabeth Bondi-Kelly. The event was supported by 230 Cisco volunteers globally.

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has announced the appointment of Ekta Singh-Bushell to its board of directors, effective June 14, 2024. Singh-Bushell is a distinguished business leader who recently served as deputy to the first vice president and chief operating officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She brings extensive experience in data, security, and services. Singh-Bushell's prior roles include approximately 17 years at Ernst & Young in various leadership positions, such as global client services partner and global information security officer. She also serves on the boards of ChargePoint Holdings, Huron Consulting Group, Lesaka Technologies, and TTEC Holdings. Singh-Bushell holds a Master's in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor's in Engineering from the University of Poona. Cisco's Chair and CEO, Chuck Robbins, expressed enthusiasm for her contributions to the board.

Cisco's new initiative focuses on empowering global progress through secure and meaningful connections, especially during a historic year of global elections. This includes partnerships with the European Parliament's 'Use Your Vote' campaign and the launch of 'Ten Tech Policies to Power the Future,' which aims to promote collaboration in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy. Cisco is also dedicated to election security, advocating for safer democratic processes through enhanced connectivity and information sharing. Additionally, Cisco's programs like the Networking Academy and Cisco Hypershield highlight their commitment to global internet access and cybersecurity.

Cisco's recent press release focuses on the critical importance of resilient ecosystems for environmental sustainability. It highlights how resilient ecosystems can withstand, recover from, and adapt to both natural and human-induced changes such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation. Cisco emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human communities and underscores the role of biodiversity in supporting economic growth and stability.

As part of its Plan for Possible, Cisco is investing significantly in regenerative technologies and climate-focused initiatives. The Cisco Foundation's $100 million climate impact initiative supports resilient ecosystems through grants, impact investments, and educational programs. Partnerships, like those with Mercy Corps, aim to enhance climate adaptation efforts, especially in regions severely affected by environmental changes, such as the Horn of Africa.

Cisco's efforts also include community resilience and workforce development, supporting organizations like DOT and Pachamama Alliance to advance environmental education and local climate action skills. The press release underscores the need for a collaborative approach to build a sustainable and equitable future.