My 1st experience in the HITEC Seattle Executive Leadership Summit sponsored by Microsoft, July 31st – August 2nd, 2018 was incredible! You want to know why?
First of all, I like to say that sometimes we think of ourselves as very rational persons but we are not and the good news is that is not just with me or you. I think at some point we are all irrational because occasionally we have wrong views and opinions of things that we don’t know much about it and we partially jump into erroneous assumptions without knowing what is the subject or agenda of a specific event/conference. That was my perspective about HITEC and all that completely changed after I understood how important and respected this Summit is.
Before I get into the details of the summit I would like to explain what is HITEC (Hispanic IT Executive Council):
HITEC is a premier global executive leadership organization of senior business and IT executives who have built outstanding careers in information technology.
HITEC’s premiere network spans the Americas and is focused on:
- Building stronger technology and executive leaders, leadership teams, corporations, and role models in a rapidly changing, flatter and information technology-centric world.
- Developing and enhancing leadership, business acumen, communications and networking skills.
- Enabling business and professional growth and recognition of members.
- Networking with hundreds of executives representing multiple industries and sections of corporate America.
Why and how is Cisco involved in HITEC?
Cisco Inclusion and Collaboration office (I&C) is a platform for diverse groups to connect, build powerful new relationships, explore their unique passions and talents, innovate, and excel. In 196 chapters across 44 countries, our I&C Community has over 25,000 active members participating in Employee Resource Organizations, Networks, Virtual Groups, Inclusion Leadership Teams, and the annual flagship event known as Women of Impact.
Cisco sees inclusion and diversity as essential to fuel what we call the power of connection. Cisco understand it as a bridge and a way to connect diverse perspectives, motivate and spark new ideas, explore new possibilities, tap into the power of digital transformation, provide social responsibility, create more opportunities and inspire innovation.
Through the Inclusion and Collaboration office Cisco partner with very important and respected organizations and HITEC is one of them.
Maria Medrano, Director of HR @ Cisco Systems sharing all the details of the event
Cisco is a Platinum member of HITEC and have various Cisco employees as part of the Advisory board and board of Directors.
Cisco @ HITEC Corporate Advisory Board:
Anne-Marie Azzi – IT Operations Manager, Cisco Systems
Anne-Marie also served as the Co-President for Conexion, Cisco’s Latino Employee Resource Organization for two-and-a-half-year term. She also held multiple roles within Conexion (Director of Staffing and Virtual Chapter lead).
Cisco @ HITEC Board of Directors:
Guillermo Diaz Jr. – CIO and SVP Information Technology, Cisco Systems
Ileana Rivera – Senior Director of IT, Computing and Client Productivity Services, Cisco Systems
Ileana is an active member for Conexion, Cisco’s Latino Employee Resource Organization, and Connected Woman at Cisco.
Cisco have an internal organization that promote diversity and connections through the Latino community. The name of the community is Cisco Conexion and I just became member of that community!
Cisco team together before the 1st HITEC meeting
Cisco team together before the 1st HITEC meeting
My HITEC Summit experience:
I would like to denote the fantastic experience and wonderful time I had meeting other Cisco Latino colleagues because we were able to build a great comradery during and after the event. It was an overwhelming opportunity to also meet some of our partners and customers that are part of the Latino community. It was a great occasion to build relationships, learn a lot, have fun and enjoy with a group of great people and professionals.
Cisco Systems representing the Latino Community @ HITEC Summit
There was some fun as well!
The crazy picture! 😛
We were encouraged by the amazing presentations delivered during the conference. The speakers provided great content, advice and counsel to be a better person in the personal and professional aspect of our lives. The breakout technical and professional sessions were amazing and we were moved by many of them. We were so inspired by those sessions that I even created my personal website to work on my personal brand and write the things I enjoy the most in life!
I would like to remark that we went back home with great memories and fully charged of impactful expositions that helped us understand that work is about having fun and not putting too much pressure on us. And finally, we were stimulated to be more fervent about absorbing and gaining knowledge, help and give back to others and the community.
The slogan of this summit was inspired by the host, Microsoft team:
“Come as you are, do what you love.”
Call-to-Action, what is next:
I want to be part of this community and would like to be more involved. I want to be an active member that will participate, help, contribute and support in any way I can. The next HITEC summit is hosted by Cisco in Silicon Valley I want to volunteer and attend this event.
Cisco will be hosting HITEC in Silicon Valley on November 6th and 7th, 2018 at San Jose, CA. Building 9.
Thanks!!
Rafael Ceara.-
