Get to know Kelly Pack, Senior Systems Engineer (CCIE EI #14045), Cisco Designated VIP Class of 2025 | Cisco Learning Network!
I/ SNAPSHOT ABOUT KELLY:
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Career
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Personal
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II/ KELLY'S STORY & CAREER JOURNEY:
- What are some pivotal moments in your career that significantly shaped your path?
In my early years as a network engineer, I was selected to participate in a program called Cisco PTAP. Along with 10 other professionals from various Cisco partners, I had the opportunity to be part of an intensive training program designed to prepare us to become "TAC-like" engineers.
As part of the program, we attended classes in multiple Cisco locations, including a week in Miami, three weeks at Cisco's headquarters in San Jose for a network boot camp, and four months working as a TAC engineer at Cisco's office in our home countries (Brazil in my case). To evaluate the boot camp and program, we were required to take the now-retired CCIE written exam, and I passed.
Being part of Cisco PTAP and passing that exam paved the way to becoming a CCIE and significantly impacted my professional career.
- For women aspiring to leadership roles in tech, what's the one skill they should be developing today?
Self-awareness. You can pile up hard technical skills related to industry trends, innovative tools and technologies, or widely recognized soft skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving. However, self-awareness will serve you on a much larger spectrum, allowing you to showcase and use all the essential skills you have acquired.
Self-awareness empowers you and enables you to know your worth, value your contributions, navigate gender bias, and build the self-confidence needed to grow and sustainably enhance your career.
- Women supporting women is huge—can you share a moment when another woman lifted you up or inspired you?
I have a long list of those moments, from an elementary teacher who encouraged me to take my education beyond the classroom of a public school in an underdeveloped country to my beloved late grandmother, who, regardless of being illiterate, was one of the most intelligent, kind and empowered women I have ever known, and an incredible role model.
One recent inspirational moment was being in the audience for a presentation given by Cisco's Solution Engineer Marina Ferreira on "Multi-tier fabrics: Network designs for the Modern Datacenter" at Cisco Live EMEA. The presentation's content was impeccable; it was obvious she had put a great deal of work into preparing it. She was also clearly an SME. However, the most inspirational element was that Marina was up on that stage in front of a packed audience, as an incredible representation of the fact that being an outstanding woman in tech is possible.
Women can become great network engineers with drive, grit, and focus, and Marina is a perfect example.
- What key actions can we take to #AccelerateAction (2025 IWD theme) to help close gender gap?
A few come to mind. Spreading the word, bringing the discussion to as many spaces as possible, and supporting one another more openly.
If I had to pick only one, though, I would say mentoring. Offering to be a mentor and being deliberate about it. Sometimes, a "guru" image comes to mind when people think about mentoring. It doesn't always have to be the case. A woman who has broken into a field of interest or has gone through a path similar to another woman's interests can be an incredible asset to someone beginning their journey.
We all have busy lives and packed schedules, but engaging in mentorship, even on a small scale, can make a huge difference, and we should all think and talk about it more.
- What strategies do you use to maintain your well-being and prevent burnout?
The first step is to acknowledge that burnout is real. I went through it myself during a very delicate, challenging period. Being hardcore at work, going all in, and making it your only priority is often glorified and praised in many ways, but in the long run, it's just not sustainable. It will inevitably take the joy out of everything and can have lingering effects that are challenging to bounce back from.
I wish I had these insights and this awareness about a decade ago.
In my view, it comes down to simple actions – self-care, in whatever shape or form. And it will generally look different from an individual perspective. A walk in the park listening to one of my favorite podcasts checks that box. Setting boundaries and paying attention to important cues are also crucial.
If you struggle to focus, feel off, see your job as nothing but an obligation, and don't find joy in your work or projects, these are signs that something is not right and needs attention and action on your part.
- How can companies create environments that support and empower women?
Bringing awareness and talking about the challenges is a first step. Once the company has established that diversity and equality are core values, it should develop feasible and actionable solutions and strategies that align with the work culture and implement them.
Avoid romanticizing or leveraging inclusiveness only to check boxes or appear to be a "cool and desirable" workplace. Be purposeful. Bring leadership on board. Look around and check if the company is a real example of what it preaches.
- You took a 4-year career break before returning to the workforce. What is your biggest learning and top tips for others?
Plan ahead. Returning to the workforce after a career break will be invariably challenging. Many look at breaks like this with loaded prejudice, assuming that career wasn't a priority, often disregarding personal circumstances.
Also, being part of the IT industry, which evolves exceptionally fast, makes it even more complicated. If you have a plan, trust it, and stick to it, things can go much smoother on your return.
- What inspired you to become an active member of the tech community? How can we encourage more women in tech to get involved and put themselves out there? What are your top tips to get them started?
I love to contribute and build community. It doesn't matter where or how. We make the world a better place when we offer what we have just for the sake of helping others. We not only support and inspire others, but we also learn a great deal along the way. Being a woman in such a gender-imbalanced field often makes us shy away from exposing ourselves out of fear of the discomfort of being judged. For those of us who were able to break the ice, whenever we see another woman putting themselves out there to do the same, we can recognize the effort and join the conversation to be encouraging. Sharing our journeys to inspire others is also another great way.
My top tips for beginners are to start small, participate in discussions on topics you're most passionate about, and build your confidence from there. The Cisco communities are incredibly welcoming and encouraging to members wanting to participate.
III/ RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS (the fun part!)
- What's your go-to way to recharge or step away from work when you need a reset?
Movement. I get up and move around, have a drink of water, and stretch my legs. If I'm dealing with something bigger, more complex, or stressful, I try to go for a walk outside.
- If you could give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?
Regardless of your objectives or goals, create a system for achieving them. Then, trust your system and stick to the plan.
- If you could instantly download any skill into your brain (like in The Matrix), what would it be?
A hardcore master ninja programming skill.
- If you had to explain your job using only emojis, which ones would you pick?
- What's the most unusual or surprising thing you've ever had to troubleshoot?
During my early days as a network field engineer, I fixed a faulty router by opening it up and removing balls of dust from the circuit board!!!
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Did you know the Women in Tech group hub on Cisco Community is a dedicated space for women in networking, cybersecurity, IT, and STEM to support each other and help close the gender gap in tech. Connect. Share. Celebrate. Advocate.
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