How Cisco Meraki Is Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Employee resource groups and four pillars of support bring LatinX talent and culture to center stage.
Written by Remy Merritt
September 8, 2021Updated: September 8, 2021

With events planned across the city, San Francisco and the greater Bay Area are gearing up to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Established in 1968 and bracketing the independence days of numerous Central and South American countries, the observance is an opportunity to honor the history and culture of the LatinX and Hispanic communities across the U.S.

It also presents businesses with an opportunity to reflect on their diversity and inclusion, and celebrate the ways in which they are uplifting Hispanic and LatinX voices within the workplace. At Cisco Meraki, the festivities are twofold — one of their employee resource groups, Conexión Latinx Network, marks its 20th anniversary during the month. 

Cisco Meraki isn’t stopping at an ERG.

“Mentorship programs, educational sessions, volunteering and Cisco job opportunities are a few ways we stay engaged with employees, along with a lot of informal networking,” said Angela Mesa, senior global manager of channel operations.

 

Angela Mesa
Senior Global Manager, Channel Operations • Cisco Meraki

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, what is Cisco Meraki doing this year to celebrate and honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans throughout history?

At Cisco Meraki, we’re doubling up on celebrations this year — Conexión Latinx Network, one of our employee resource groups, celebrates its 20th anniversary during Hispanic Heritage Month. Our festivities will include opening and closing events where we will highlight the intersectionality of LatinX culture and customs, LatinX contributions to the world and the wins of our Cisco community. 

To support our professional development pillar, we are in the process of creating a new mentorship program with support from our executives. We plan to host a virtual gala to celebrate our community achievements. As we do throughout the year, we will encourage our members to participate or volunteer in programs that make an impact. And because we LOVE music, we promote an amazing playlist curated by our members! 

 

What other activities or charitable initiatives do you have planned for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Through our flagship media program ConexTalk, we showcase the funds and communities we support to boost internal and external engagement. Cisco contributes to many initiatives that support communities such as single mothers, vaccination access and child programming. Our programming geared toward students helps develop LatinX tech talent from elementary school all the way through university. 

Each year we set donation and volunteering goals, which we have always met and surpassed. This year, I am sure it will be no different. 

Our programming geared toward students helps develop LatinX tech talent from elementary school all the way through university.’’

 

What are some ongoing programs, initiatives or benefits your company offers to support and empower Hispanic and Latinx employees throughout the year?

As a Latina leader at Cisco Meraki, I have been inspired by the amount of support we have received. From new employees to our executive leadership team, the support to successfully maintain engagement has been endless. 

To reach all our members, Conexión created four pillars to provide support: professional development, advocacy and awareness, community outreach, and talent acquisition. Within each pillar, we offer programming tailored to the experience level of each member. Mentorship programs, educational sessions, volunteering and Cisco job opportunities are a few ways we stay engaged with employees, along with a lot of informal networking. 

Cisco Meraki also offers access to professional development programs such as HITEC (Hispanic IT Executive Council) to help evolve and grow the next generation of LatinX leaders in the industry.

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