Cisco Promotes 13-Year Vet to Replace Dell's Dagher as Canada President

13-year Cisco veteran Shannon Leininger is the new president of Cisco Canada. The appointment comes about a month after Dell Technologies hired away Rola Dagher from the post. Dagher is Dell’s new channel chief.

Cisco Canada’s Shannon Leininger

Leininger’s most recent position with Cisco is area vice president, U.S. Public Sector SLED East. Based in Washington, D.C., the job focuses on state and local governments, and education. She held that position for two-and-a-half years.

Another lengthy role for Leininger at Cisco was senior operations director, federal civilian market lead. She held that title for more than six years. Prior to that, she was operations director, federal civilian health care and science, for more than seven years.

“Shannon has built a legacy of developing high-performing teams and advocating for the next generation of leaders. We’re thrilled to have her take the helm of the Canadian team,” said Jeff Sharritts, Cisco’s SVP of Americas sales. “As a longstanding Cisco employee and a well-respected sales leader, Shannon understands purpose is at the heart of everything we do. This understanding will be critical as she looks to support our people, our customers and partners, and communities across Canada in her new role.”

A History at Cisco and in the Industry

According to Leininger’s LinkedIn page, she is active in inclusion and diversity initiatives. For example, she serves on Cisco’s public-sector inclusion leadership team. She is also on the Connected Women board of directors for Cisco, and Women in Technology.

Leininger’s predecessor, Dagher, was president of Cisco Systems Canada for more than three years.

“I’m excited to bring a new perspective to Cisco Canada and lead the team to new heights,” said Leininger. “As we continue to align with where our customers are headed, help them overcome their mission-critical challenges and support their business continuity, it is critical that we focus on how they are adapting their digital strategies for the future. At Cisco, we believe that technology’s primary purpose should be for good and we are committed to leading the way and leveraging our technology to power an inclusive future.”

In its most recent earnings report, Cisco said revenue of $12.2 billion was down 9% from the same quarter a year ago. However, earnings per share were up 22% in the company’s fiscal fourth quarter. And, at the end of fiscal 2020, the company reached its goal of more than 50% of revenue earned through software and services.

Earlier this month, Cisco and the City of Toronto launched “Digital Canopy.” This is an investment of more than $1 million of in-kind technology and services to expand Wi-Fi access in some of Toronto’s most vulnerable communities. It includes free Wi-Fi hotspots for people who may not have access to reliable internet. The joint effort will deliver free Wi-Fi hotspots to approximately 13,000 Torontonians.