The month of March flew by. It brought with it the Spring, the sun (hopefully here to stay) and left us with a beautiful, strong spark of the Women’s Day, celebrated to remind us of the progress we have made so far and the journey that still lies ahead.
On March 17th, the Women of Cisco (WoC) team in Portugal hosted their local “Women of Impact” (WOI) event, following the global celebration on March 10th. This year’s theme was “Spark the Future 2026”, and the day featured a range of sessions, from “Taking Control of Your Career Path” with Wies Bratby to “Own Your Menopause” with Cláudia Barros, and a discussion on supporting the community after Storm Kristin with Nuno Guarda.
Our team at Cisco’s Portugal blog reached out to the key organizers of the event, Tânia Patrícia Azevedo (CX Business Operations Manager for Collab Renewals EMEA and Lead for WoC Portugal), Patrícia Pereira (Asset Manager and Lead for WoC Portugal), and Mariana Graça (Business Operations Analyst and WoC member), to gather their insights on what happens behind the curtains when developing an event of this magnitude.
Why is a Women of Impact event still needed in 2026?
We started with a thought-provoking question: “Why is a Women of Impact event still needed in 2026?”
Tânia describes Women of Impact (WOI) as our “Inclusive Community Flagship Event,” that happens simultaneously across all regions.”It is more than just an annual event; it is a movement dedicated to empowering and connecting women, while honoring diverse narratives across the globe,” Tânia notes.
Patrícia adds that the event remains essential because it provides a space where “women (and men, who are more than welcome) can connect, share experiences, and amplify their voices.” For her, the event serves as both a celebration of the progress made regarding gender representation and a “catalyst for continued change” in the tech industry.
“In 2026, such an event remains essential, as gender representation and equitable opportunities in technology continue to evolve,” states Patrícia.
The inspiration behind “Spark the Future”
This year’s theme was chosen to drive a forward-looking vision. Patrícia explains that the “Spark the Future” theme shapes the event by “encouraging participants to think boldly about their future impact – whether through advancing technology, driving cultural change, or leading teams.” It is a call to be proactive in shaping one’s individual career and the wider industry.
Tânia adds that the 2026 theme centers on “fostering a culture of holistic growth and mentorship,” ensuring that employees have the future-ready skills needed to thrive in Cisco’s evolving landscape.
The impact on the community
The event is designed to provide practical tools for professional growth. Tânia highlights the session with Wies Bratby on “Taking Control of Your Career Path,” which focused on “unlocking the female talent’s full potential by addressing both internal barriers (imposter syndrome, fear of asking) and external obstacles (bias, unclear advancement paths) that prevent women from taking control of their careers.”
Patrícia emphasizes that the event offers a blend of “inspirational talks, networking opportunities, and insights on how we can support our community.” It creates a supportive environment where participants feel encouraged to build confidence and explore leadership pathways.
Behind the scenes: inside the organization
Organizing an event of this scale requires months of preparation. Patrícia notes that the process involves “extensive collaboration and careful planning,” where the team identifies themes relevant to the audience and selects speakers who represent diverse perspectives. The goal, she says, is to “balance inspiration with actionable insights.”
Tânia explains that the agenda was built around three pillars: “Spark your Career” (Wies Bratby), “Spark Your Community” (Nuno Guarda’s work with Cisco Crisis Response on the aftermath of Storm Kristin in Portugal), and “Spark your Health” (Cláudia Barros, Dr. Francisco Santos, and Dr. Cristina Roriz on navigating menopause in the workplace).
“How do we put it together? The WoC Portugal Core team works very hard and starts planning the event months before we do it, and we count with the support of the EMEA leads and our Executive Sponsor, Gisela Franco, who is relentlessly always allowing us to dream higher and showcase the excellent work that is being done in Cisco Portugal,” explains Tânia.
Camera, Lights, Action!
When asked about the impact they hope the event will have, the team expressed a desire for deep, cultural change. Tânia emphasizes the importance of belonging: “WoC Portugal wants to be a space where everyone is welcome, not only women. The fair and successful future of women is the success of every single individual too.”
Patrícia clarifies that this event has both internal and external goals: “Internally, it seeks to strengthen a culture of inclusion and empower employees to take initiative in their careers. Externally, it contributes to ongoing conversations around diversity in tech, encouraging organizations to continue building more equitable and supportive environments.”
Mariana adds that she hopes WOI 2026 serves as a “catalyst for a more holistic and connected culture” within the Tech Industry, setting a standard for how professionals are supported through every stage of life.
Mariana notes, “When we empower women to bring their ‘best selves’ to work, we drive the authenticity and collaboration necessary to solve the industry’s greatest challenges.”
Conclusion: Advice for the Future
To wrap up, we asked our organizers for advice for women looking to lead with impact.
Tânia encourages women to be bold: “Dare to want it all — excel at your training, at your job, at your personal life. Dare to choose yourself, dare to be kind, dare to lead with truth and compassion.”
Patrícia suggests staying intentional: “Trust your voice and perspective—leadership is not about fitting a mold, but about bringing your authentic self to the table.”
Mariana rounds off the advice with three actionable ‘sparks’:
1. Own Your Path: Don’t wait for opportunities to be assigned; take active control.
2. Give to Gain: Strengthen your community by volunteering and supporting others.
3. Prioritize Your Wellbeing: “You cannot work effectively if you aren’t thriving personally. Owning your health is a professional priority.”
The Women of Cisco team’s work continues year-round through Coffee Break sessions and Giving Back weeks. Follow them to stay updated! A big thank you to Tânia, Patrícia and Mariana for sharing their insights, and to the whole WoC community for their impact.
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1 Comentários
This is such a great recap! I love the energy behind the writing. It's so clear how much the team put into making this event happen. Thanks for sharing these takeaways – it is so important to keep these conversations going and to see the community growing like this.
Great read, well done!