100% of Cisco Vice Presidents have taken The Multiplier Effect Pledge Changing the equation for diverse talent Cisco has long advocated sponsorship as one of the most powerful ways leaders can connect, advocate, and accelerate the careers of talented employees. In 2017, we introduced The Multiplier Effect (TME), a pledge that leaders can take to sponsor a person different from themselves and support their career advancement—and challenge their peers to do the same. For the third year, we've met or exceeded participation aspirations. One hundred percent of Cisco Vice Presidents have taken the pledge. Forty-one percent of Directors and 21 percent of People Managers have too–exceeding our goals of 40 percent and 20 percent respectively. More importantly, TME delivered outcomes for sponsees. Our data shows that employees who gain sponsors through the initiative are, on average, 1.5x more likely to be promoted that those who do not. Certain groups of employees experience an even higher promotion likelihood, including Black and Asian employees (2.7x more likely) and Hispanic/Latinx employees (3.2x more likely). In conjunction with our Social Justice Action 6, focused on expanding access to mentoring or sponsoring relationships, we’re encouraging and supporting Cisco partners and suppliers in taking The Multiplier Effect pledge . We are committed to growing cultures of sponsorship across industries by offering a powerful and engaging sponsorship platform with resources to be launched to all partners and suppliers by the end of 2022. Embracing the power of proximity Each of us sees the world through the lens of our own identities and unique set of experiences. To create a more inclusive future, we must work to understand different perspectives and apply those insights to the way we work. Cisco’s Proximity Initiative was inspired by the October 2019 Courageous Conversation with Chuck Robbins and lawyer and social justice activist Bryan Stevenson. It began as an effort for our leaders to be intentional about getting proximate to "difference" to understand their employee experience. Just as Bryan spoke about the power of proximity in relation to social and racial injustice, we believe it is necessary for our leaders to get proximate to truly discover different perspectives and apply their insights to the way we fundamentally work. Through the Proximity Initiative, leaders have one-on-one meetings with team members who are different from them with the intent to understand their unique experiences, challenges, and successes. These conversations can help individuals understand new perspectives, recognize bias, find sponsors, and unlock insights in their teams and in their personal lives. More than 1000 proximity meetings were held in fiscal 2021, and they have been nothing short of transformational. After a series of meetings, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer and Partner Officer, Gerri Elliott remarked, “The meetings were incredibly powerful. They were incredibly emotional. I learned so much about myself, and ourselves, and this culture that we live in.” Cisco Check-Ins bring equity and inclusion to the forefront This year, we took dialogue around equity and inclusion to a new level during Cisco’s virtual companywide Check-In broadcasts with our Executive Leadership Team. Together, we engaged on topics like identity, racism, homophobia, mental health, and social justice as a way of getting proximate to and understanding the impact of real issues facing our company and our communities. Our Inclusive Communities have been vital advocates and partners in driving the dialogue. Inclusive leaders at every level and special guests shared unique perspectives on how we can connect, disrupt, create true allyship, and drive systemic change. 200+ executives participated in 1000+ proximity meetings in fiscal 2021. Of leaders who participated, 95% have adopted more inclusive behaviors including showing empathy and listening more. FUTURE INTRO POWER INCLUSIVE 2021 Cisco Purpose Report | csr.cisco.com | ESG Reporting Hub 44