Sailaja K. Shankar
Senior Vice President, Engineering of the Security Business Group, Cisco Systems, Inc.
Ms. Shankar has served as the Senior Vice President, Engineering of the Security Business Group, Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), a leading global manufacturer of networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and other high-technology services and products, since January 2023. In this role, she is responsible for engineering including strategy execution and architecture. From September 2021 to January 2023, Ms. Shankar was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of SBG. From June 2021 to September 2021, Ms. Shankar was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Cloud and Network Security business unit within SBG. Prior to joining Cisco, Ms. Shankar served as Senior Vice President of Engineering, Enterprise of McAfee Corp. (NASDAQ: MCFE), a computer security software company, where she was responsible for its security and threat defense solutions across endpoint, extended detection and response, data center security, and cloud native application processes, from February 2019 to June 2021. She also acted as General Manager of Mobile and ISP Solutions Business Unit from February 2016 to February 2019.
Ms. Shankar currently serves as a member of the board of advisors of Team8, a global venture capital company. Ms. Shankar also serves as a board observer of Qwiet AI (formerly ShiftLeft, Inc.), a company focused on cybersecurity solutions.
Ms. Shankar holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Maris Stella College, and a Bachelor and Master of Arts from Andhra University in mass communications/journalism and English literature, respectively. In 2022, Ms. Shankar received accolades for her executive leadership within the IT industry and beyond and was named among 10 Women Making a Difference in Cybersecurity by CRN, a top technology news and information source for solution providers, IT channel partners, and value-added resellers.
Ms. Shankar brings to the Board her deep experience innovating technological solutions, driving strategic change in global enterprises, and portfolio building experience including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (“AI”) expertise. Ms. Shankar also prides herself on being a champion of diversity, mentoring the next generation of technical women, and is a global advisor with “How Women Lead.” At Cisco, Ms. Shankar is the executive sponsor for Women in AI, Women in Tech, Women in Cyber Security, and Humans of AI.