The clock strikes 11 a.m. in Portugal, and the famously named Camões room at Cisco’s Lisbon office is buzzing. Employees settle into chairs, gather in corners, and stand along the walls to watch the live Town Hall with Kelly Jones, Cisco’s Chief People Officer and Portugal’s new Country Sponsor. Kelly traveled from the U.S. to get to know what she calls one of “Cisco’s best-kept secrets.”
Following an introduction by Miguel Almeida, Director and General Manager of Sales, and Bruno Paulo, Director of Customer Delivery, Kelly took the stage. She was joined by Natalia Martsenyuk da Cunha, P&C Country Lead, and Gisela Franco, Senior Director of Operations, the facilitators of the day’s fireside chat.
“I feel like I am on a morning talk show; it is about to be good,” Kelly confessed with a smile. She was right.
While the Town Hall was the first official touchpoint for many, Kelly’s day had already been a whirlwind: meetings with country leaders and the Connected Portugal, plus an office tour. Her schedule remained packed into the evening with sessions for early-in-career talent, the People and Community team, and the Stakeholder Management Pillar, hopefully leaving just enough time for a stroll through the streets of Lisbon.
1. When Kelly met Portugal
The visit began much like a 1990s Hollywood movie: with a proper “meet-cute.” Through a series of quick-fire icebreakers, the audience discovered that Kelly is a self-proclaimed foodie, an outdoors enthusiast, and a lover of travel. When she revealed that her favorite movie is “When Harry Met Sally” and that she can quote it front to back, the room erupted in cheers.
When asked about her first impressions of the Lisbon office, Kelly’s response was enthusiastic. She was struck by the “virtuous cycle” of engagement and the high level of participation in office activities. She noted that the site is uniquely positioned for growth, citing an “impressive” gender balance and a talent pool that deserves more visibility across the global Cisco brand.
Her goal is ambitious: she wants to put Portugal on the map and see the team on stage as Country of the Year at Cisco’s GSX.
2. From early beginnings to Chief People Officer
Kelly introduced herself through her “Million Data Points,” a concept borrowed from Splunk, emphasizing that work is an integrated part of her overall wellbeing. Whether reflecting on her first job as a babysitter in her teenage years, or her current role as CPO, Kelly’s journey has been defined by a blend of discipline, curiosity, and a deep commitment to humanity. Besides her official role as CPO, Kelly is on the board of the Children’s Tumor Foundation and is also Wellbeing Executive Sponsor, which she views as natural extensions of the same values she brings to her daily life.
3. Beyond the career ladder: The power of saying “yes”
Kelly’s career path is a testament to the power of flexible planning and the courage to say “yes.” In her 20 years at Cisco, she has held 13 jobs and worked with 16 bosses. She did not set out to be a CPO; she achieved that by following a simple three-ingredient recipe:
- Choosing roles of genuine interest.
- Working for leaders that are role models.
- Being surrounded by good people.
She challenged the traditional “career ladder” in favor of what many now call a “career lattice”, a flexible net of mobility.
“Probably every time I said yes to something I did not know how to do, that was a milestone,” she shared.
With 45% of roles at Cisco filled internally, Kelly is the ultimate example of how internal mobility and “pivoting on a skill” can lead to unexpected, rewarding destinations.
4. Cisco’s four cornerstones: what builds success?
Success at Cisco is not an abstract concept; it is built on four cornerstones that Kelly highlighted: Curiosity, Clarity, Accountability, and Inclusion. She also offered a glimpse into her partnership with Francine Katsoudas, Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer. Their relationship is built on meaningful check-ins and a commitment to “unsticking” problems quickly. This collaborative spirit flows through the entire Executive Leadership Team, ensuring that Cisco’s guiding principles are a lived experience.
5. A brave new world: The AI era
With Cisco at the forefront of the AI revolution, Kelly offered a refreshing perspective.
“The great irony is that this technological change that humanity is going through is resulting in the need to be deeply human.”
While AI is reshaping the workforce, Kelly believes we have a responsibility to define that future.
“We have to ask ourselves sometimes not can the technology do it, but should we do it?”
For those feeling resistance to this shift, Kelly shared her personal experience:
Cisco Portugal Blog Team: You mentioned you use AI daily and intentionally at work, as well as for building your personalized nutrition plan. Was it simple for you to adopt the AI mindset from day one? Do you have any tips for people who might be feeling resistance or having difficulty adapting?
Kelly: Like many, I was initially apprehensive. I started by experimenting with AI in my personal life, using it to help organize my daily routines and planning, which helped me demystify the technology and see its potential. As I grew more comfortable, that confidence naturally translated into my work. Today, I view AI as a critical partner. It helps me synthesize complex insights and prepare for high-stakes conversations, among many other things.
If you are feeling resistance, I want to acknowledge that it’s okay. Change is inherently difficult. My advice is to stay open, keep asking questions, and seek support when needed.
The reality is that AI will elevate your work and accelerate your career, so it is worth pushing through that initial hesitation. In fact, our own AI research shows that employees who leverage AI are more likely to be promoted and spend less time in the same grade.
If you are looking for ways to get started, here are four things you can do today:
- Experiment with low-stakes tasks. Start small. Use AI to assist with personal planning or organizing to build your confidence. Once you feel comfortable, look for ways to integrate Cisco-approved AI tools, like CircuIT, into your daily professional workflows.
- Prioritize continuous learning. Build AI literacy into your professional development plan. Take advantage of available training, and if you are a leader, set clear expectations for your team to do the same.
- Make AI a regular topic of conversation. Share how you’re using AI during 1:1s and team meetings. Ask your colleagues how they are leveraging it—you will likely discover new, creative use cases you hadn’t considered.
- Stay human. Use the time that AI gives back to you to double down on human connection. AI cannot replace the emotional experience of belonging to a team, and as leaders, we are the primary architects of that experience.
Adopting an AI mindset is about unleashing potential—yours, your team’s, and Cisco’s. I encourage you to lean in with curiosity and courage as we continue this journey together.
6. Human connection: Why the office still matters
In a world of remote settings and automated tasks, Kelly addressed the “hot topic” of returning to the office. At Cisco, the policy is designed to be adapted by leaders based on their team’s specific context. However, Kelly highlighted three reasons why physical presence is more vital than ever in the AI era: speed for more fluid decision-making; mentorship, especially for those early in their careers; and biology, since humans are wired for connection.
7. Looking ahead: A final reflection
For those just starting their journey or those who have been with Cisco for decades, Kelly’s advice was the same as she gives her own daughter: Adaptability is the new superpower.
“In your 20s, you are not the same person you are going to be in your 30s, in your 40s, in your 50s,” she noted.
To conclude her visit, we asked Kelly for her final thoughts:
Cisco Portugal Blog Team: As our new country sponsor, which thought or key takeaway stayed with you after your visit to Portugal?
Kelly: Spending time with the Portugal team reinforced a core truth for me: as we navigate an increasingly complex world, our greatest competitive advantage remains our humanity.
I was struck by how the Portugal office operates as a true “mini-Cisco.” With over 60 nationalities working together, it is a vibrant, diverse community and a masterclass in inclusion. It’s a wonderful reminder that when we prioritize the people experience, business success naturally follows.
Standing by the Ponte 25 de Abril, I found myself reflecting on its symbolism for my role as Country Sponsor. My goal is to be that bridge – connecting our local teams in Portugal with our global strategy and ensuring that as we innovate with AI, we never lose sight of the human connections that make our work meaningful.
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