Daisy Chittilapilly

About

The year 2025 not only marks 30 years of Cisco in India, but also two decades of association with the company for Daisy Chittilapilly. “As we celebrate this 30-year milestone, we are not just reflecting on the past—we are looking ahead. Cisco India will continue to push boundaries, reimagine possibilities, and build a smarter, more intelligent, more secure, and connected world” says Chittilapilly, president of Cisco’s India and Saarc operations. FY25 saw the networking and security firm inaugurate its first contract manufacturing facility in Chennai. Amidst global geopolitical uncertainties and a rapidly evolving technology landscape, Chittilapilly sees predictability as not something that leaders can bank on anymore. “In such a complex world, to ensure the resilience and success of organisations, leadership demands a blend of foresight, agility, and purpose.” To sail through such periods, her approach is to encourage her team to continuously learn, build resilience and have an adaptable mindset. While trust and transparency with stakeholders and employees become key in fostering partnerships and credibility, what is “most important is leading with purpose. A commitment that extends beyond business can inspire teams, retain top talent and create long-term value,” she adds. Daisy’s personal goal this year is to give more time to mentorship. “I’ve seen the power of mentorship first-hand, and I see it as my responsibility to give individuals the right guidance to help them unlock their full potential and shape careers.”