Sailaja K. Shankar

Ms. Shankar has served as the Senior Vice President, Growth Platforms and Innovation, within Cisco Systems, Inc. (”Cisco”)’s Infrastructure and Security Business Group, since January 2026. Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is a leading global provider of networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and related high-technology services and products. In this role, she leads AI-native, cross-portfolio initiatives spanning networking, security, and silicon, with responsibility for strategy, execution, and architecture. At Cisco, Ms. Shankar also held the following roles:

• Senior Vice President, Engineering of the Security Business Group (January 2023 to January 2026)
• Senior Vice President and General Manager of SBG (September 2021 to January 2023)
• Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Cloud and Network Security business unit within SBG (June 2021 to September 2021)

Prior to joining Cisco, Ms. Shankar served as Senior Vice President of Engineering, Enterprise of McAfee Corp. (NASDAQ: MCFE), a computer security software company, where she was responsible for its security and threat defense solutions across endpoint, extended detection and response, data center security, and cloud native application processes, from February 2019 to June 2021. She also acted as General Manager of Mobile and ISP Solutions Business Unit from February 2016 to February 2019.

Ms. Shankar has served on the board of advisors of Team8, a global venture capital company, since January 2025 and as a board observer of NetFoundry since January 2025 and SpecterOps since October 2025, both companies focused on cybersecurity solutions.

Ms. Shankar holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Maris Stella College, and a Bachelor and Master of Arts from Andhra University in mass communications/journalism and English literature, respectively. In 2022, Ms. Shankar received accolades for her executive leadership within the IT industry and beyond and was named among 10 Women Making a Difference in Cybersecurity by CRN, a top technology news and information source for solution providers, IT channel partners, and value-added resellers.

Ms. Shankar brings to the Board her deep experience in innovating technological solutions, driving strategic change in global enterprises, as well as her specialized knowledge in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (“AI”). She is a champion of diversity, mentoring the next generation of technical women, and is a global advisor with “How Women Lead.” At Cisco, Ms. Shankar is the executive sponsor for Women in AI, Women in Tech, Women in Cybersecurity, and Humans of AI.