Kelly Jones

Chief People Officer

Kelly Jones is Chief People Officer at Cisco, where she steers the people strategies, functions, policies, and operations that empower more than 86,000 employees to achieve extraordinary results and thrive. She leads the People & Communities team, driving the design and implementation of data-driven, people-first solutions that are central to Cisco’s transformation and business priorities, advancing the company’s purpose to Power an Inclusive Future for All. 

A natural teacher and coach, Kelly grounds her leadership in empowerment, championing innovative solutions that help people reach their fullest potential and drive measurable business impact. During her 18 years at Cisco, she has built award-winning global teams and implemented transformative initiatives at every level, from early-in-career talent programs to executive strategy. Her efforts drive efficiency, quality, connection, and performance across Cisco’s workforce.

Kelly’s career at Cisco began in Talent Acquisition, in roles supporting Engineering and Operations, University Relations, and Sales and Marketing. She advanced to Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Mobility and later led as Senior Vice President & Global Head of Talent Solutions. Before joining Cisco, Kelly was Vice President of Sales Operations for Comsys and Principal Owner of her own executive placement and consulting firm. 

Deeply committed to fostering inclusion, belonging, and well-being, Kelly is executive sponsor for Cisco’s Connected Disability Action Network (CDAN), Veterans Leadership Program, and Well-being Ambassador Program. She also serves as Cisco’s executive country sponsor for Finland and Portugal and as executive sponsor for the company’s partnership with Kaiser Permanente.

Beyond Cisco, Kelly advances advocacy and leadership as a board member of the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) and as a member of the Executive Women’s Alliance (EWA).

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in pre-law from North Carolina State University. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, Dave, and their rescue dog, Henri.

Kelly Jones is Chief People Officer at Cisco, where she steers the people strategies, functions, policies, and operations that empower more than 86,000 employees to achieve extraordinary results and thrive. She leads the People & Communities team, driving the design and implementation of data-driven, people-first solutions that are central to Cisco’s transformation and business priorities, advancing the company’s purpose to Power an Inclusive Future for All. 

A natural teacher and coach, Kelly grounds her leadership in empowerment, championing innovative solutions that help people reach their fullest potential and drive measurable business impact. During her 18 years at Cisco, she has built award-winning global teams and implemented transformative initiatives at every level, from early-in-career talent programs to executive strategy. Her efforts drive efficiency, quality, connection, and performance across Cisco’s workforce.

Kelly’s career at Cisco began in Talent Acquisition, in roles supporting Engineering and Operations, University Relations, and Sales and Marketing. She advanced to Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Mobility and later led as Senior Vice President & Global Head of Talent Solutions. Before joining Cisco, Kelly was Vice President of Sales Operations for Comsys and Principal Owner of her own executive placement and consulting firm. 

Deeply committed to fostering inclusion, belonging, and well-being, Kelly is executive sponsor for Cisco’s Connected Disability Action Network (CDAN), Veterans Leadership Program, and Well-being Ambassador Program. She also serves as Cisco’s executive country sponsor for Finland and Portugal and as executive sponsor for the company’s partnership with Kaiser Permanente.

Beyond Cisco, Kelly advances advocacy and leadership as a board member of the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) and as a member of the Executive Women’s Alliance (EWA).

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in pre-law from North Carolina State University. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, Dave, and their rescue dog, Henri.