Today we’re excited to announce that Cisco’s presence in Atlanta is growing. We are building a new technology research and development hub in the Coda building in Midtown Atlanta’s Tech Square, which is adjacent to the Georgia Institute of Technology. We see this investment of $41 million as an essential part of our continued journey toward diversifying our workforce and commitment to powering inclusive communities throughout the state of Georgia.
Supporting a diverse community
As an Atlanta native and Georgia Tech alum, it’s my hope that Cisco’s partnership with the state will further position the Atlanta region as a hub for business and innovation. At Cisco, our growth plans are guided by our purpose to power an inclusive future for all. This means building a workforce that is truly reflective of the world we live in. Having experienced this community’s burgeoning talent pool, I can’t wait to open our doors and begin hiring, collaborating with and supporting the next generation of extraordinary Cisco teammates at every level.
With deep and longstanding roots in Georgia, Cisco’s goal is to form a true partnership with Atlanta and its people. We’ll do this by supporting and hiring from the state’s surrounding educational institutions and top engineering programs. These include Georgia Tech, Georgia State and four of the nation’s most prominent historically Black colleges and universities – Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine. We know that committing to building the future pipeline of diverse talent and offering family-sustaining wages is essential to enabling our Cisco community and the greater city to thrive.
Creating hubs for hybrid working
At Cisco, we work to develop innovative solutions to some of the most business-critical challenges and opportunities, such as the global transition to hybrid work. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have embarked on a new journey to reimagine how we work together and collaborate as teams. It has driven us to focus more on how our digital products can help build connections in an inclusive and secure way. Our Atlanta Collaboration Center will be an innovative workspace that fits the evolving needs of our hybrid workforce and enables them to do their best work.
Looking ahead
The leading challenges today, such as global health crises, racial injustice and the digital divide have driven Cisco to take a transformative mindset. To me and the rest of Cisco’s leadership, these issues have brought into greater focus the need to power an inclusive future for all. We need to break down barriers, multiply the impact of inclusive leadership and support the equitable advancement for everyone.
I’m incredibly proud that Cisco has stepped up to collaborate with organizations and leaders that are passionate about driving transformation. We have taken a national and global leadership role in a number of high-profile collaborations to drive equity and create fully diverse and inclusive organizations. We are founding signers of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge, the Parity Pledge and the White House Equal Pay Pledge. And we’re leading members of the Employers for Equal Pay Consortium to help make the promise of fair pay a reality for all employees.
This is just the beginning. It’s often the case that the ecosystems that surround our offices and employees have an amazing impact in the cities and communities that we serve. Our people and processes champion full spectrum diversity, volunteerism and equitable opportunities, which I feel confident will support the advancement of our greater Atlanta community.
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