Humans of Meraki — Powering an Inclusive Future for All

Matt Slagle
Cisco Meraki
Published in
2 min readMar 29, 2024

At Cisco Meraki, the energy and passion of our employees shapes our dynamic community and empowers us to make intuitive and secure technology for our customers. Our ongoing series, Humans of Meraki, highlights employee perspectives and articulates who we are and the magic of working at Meraki. We hope this series provides insight into what motivates Merakians, at work and beyond. Welcome — we’re happy you’re here.

For this series of Humans of Meraki, we interviewed employee Kathryn Zaki who discusses the inclusive culture of Meraki and the significance of Women’s History Month (WHM), celebrated in March.

Kathryn Zaki, Director of Talent Acquisition, Austin, TX

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of women throughout history. It’s a chance to elevate women’s voices, honor their achievements, and recognize the vital role women play in shaping society and the future.

Which event in women’s history (or contribution made by a woman) makes you most proud?

I have great admiration for the ethics and leadership of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who said, “Fight for things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” I am also amazed by the incredible, boundary-breaking scientific research of Marie Curie, who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1903. Finally, I am inspired by the bravery of Harriet Tubman, who helped rescue enslaved people. Harriet’s values and actions resonate strongly with me; she was a self-assured, courageous, and compassionate woman who cared deeply for others.

How does Meraki help create gender equity in technology?

Meraki supports progress toward gender equity by realizing that better outcomes arise from diverse perspectives. Meraki offers a suite of benefits crafted to meet our multifaceted workforce’s unique needs and aspirations. Our benefits include flexible scheduling, pay parity programs that guarantee equitable compensation, and granting employees autonomy to work in a way that is most impactful. Our culture provides a workplace where everyone can collaborate, contribute, grow, and develop.

How does Meraki create an inclusive environment for all employees?

At Meraki, our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all — both inside our company and around the world. Our inclusive culture encourages employees to show up authentically and be themselves. Meraki employees can join inclusive communities, which are affinity groups that foster networking and growth opportunities and provide a space where employees can connect and openly share. When employees’ opinions matter and their voices are heard, Meraki can create a work culture rooted in inclusivity.

Interested in learning about future opportunities and the culture at Cisco Meraki? Check out our careers site!

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