MAKE AN IMPACT WITH A CAREER AT SHELL. LET’S BUILD A BETTER ENERGY FUTURE.

At Shell we believe that every individual has something valuable to offer. We understand that the more diverse the workforce, the wider the variety of ideas we bring to the table. If you’re ready to tackle the energy challenge and make a real impact on the world, join a company that values diversity and emphasizes the quality of life for its employees and their families. At Shell, we offer:

n Alternative Work Schedules n Work and Family Programs n Health and Wellness Programs

n Employee Networks/Mentoring n Training and Development

To learn more and apply, visit www.shell.us/careers.

BE PART oF THE SoLUTIoN.

Shell is an equal opportunity employer.

@ShellCareers @ShellCareers

The 2012 Company And Executive Award Winners Are...

PROFILES IN DIVERSITY JOURNAL SEPTEM

BER / OCTOBER 2011 VOLUM

E 13 • NUMBER 5

www.diversityjournal.com

www.diversityjournal.com

SEpTEmbEr/OCTObEr 2011 FEATuring: 128 LEAdErShip ESSAyS FrOm SEniOr WOmEn ExECuTivES 27 hiSpAniC / LATinO LEAdErS

$25.00 U.S.

www.diversityjour nal.com S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 11 169

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 COMPANY AND EXECUTIVE Women Worth Watching® 2012 AWARD WINNERS

Gilda Spencer, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company • Karen Sledge, Harris Corporation • Darlene R. Slaughter, Fannie MaeLaura J. Soave, Chrysler Group LLC • Paulette Thabault, MinuteClinic • Marie-Helene Sicard, Sodexo • Nikki Lewis Simon, Greenberg Traurig

Regina Y. Speed-Bost, Schiff Hardin, LLP • Shari Slate, Cisco Systems, Inc. • Carin Stutz, Brinker International

10th annual10th annual

172 Profiles in Diversity Journal S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 11

Cisco Systems, Inc.

SlateShariC O M PA N Y A N D E X E C U T I V E W O M E N W O R T h W AT C h I N g ® 2 0 1 2 A W A R D W I N N E R

Throughout my career, I’ve relied on

one guiding principle to shape my outlook, my life goals, and my con-tributions to my family, my community, and my company. Dream big.

This is my mother’s mantra, and now it is mine as well. Two compelling words that remind me to push beyond the predictable and explore new ways of making a profound difference.

Within the realm of inclusion and diversity, I am in awe of the prog-ress we have made. My mother is a testament to what it takes to break down barriers and cre-ate a new level of con-sciousness about what is possible. As a woman of color, born in an era in which her options could have seemed limited, she chose to dream big.

She graduated from medical school while

married and with two babies in tow (one was me!) and became a sur-geon. Together, with her family, her colleagues, and her community, she not only dreamed, she did. The difference that she has made in the world is profound not only to her patients but also to the countless individuals who have been inspired by her passion and courage. Like me.

My big dream as an inclusion leader is to evolve the conversation around diversity and inclusion beyond the notion that it is simply the right thing to do – beyond the traditional objectives of compli-ance – and towards a focus on the tangible value that inclusion creates. It’s a conversa-tion that has both roots and wings, grounded in what we already have been taught about

inclusion by courageous individuals like my mother and given flight by what we imagine will be possible when we can fully realize the potential of diverse mind sets, skills, experi-ences and perspectives.

What’s your big dream? My advice is to collaborate. Find other people who dream big and work on fulfilling your dreams together. Work across boundar-ies and engage others who have different strengths and skills than you do. Be a sponge. Absorb everything they have to teach you. And give back; your unique strengths and skills can make all the difference in the fulfillment of someone else’s dream. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Don’t go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

C O M PA N Y A N D E X E C U T I V E W O M E N W O R T h W AT C h I N g ® 2 0 1 2 A W A R D W I N N E R

TITLE: Chief Inclusion and Collaboration Strategist, The Americas

EDUCATION: BA, Mills College

FIRST JOB: Sales Representative, Eastman Kodak

WHAT I’M READING: My Life on the Manor, by Hailey Slate; Wired; Fast Company

MY PHILOSOPHY: Dream big, collaborate, be a sponge, give back, leave a trail so others can follow in your footsteps.

FAMILY: Married, two kids; close to my parents, sisters, aunts and uncles; many mentors

INTERESTS: Travel, innovation, food, culture, history

FAVORITE CHARITY: Hailey’s Birthday Angels

COMPANY: Cisco Systems, Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: San Jose, California

WEBSITE: www.cisco.com

BUSINESS: Networking

REVENUES: $40 billion

EMPLOYEES: 73,408

“ ” Find other people who dream big and work on fulfilling your dreams together.

succeed.Cisco congratulates all Women Worth Watching award recipients along with our own Shari Slate.

Cisco is hiring in the areas of Sales, Services, Finance, Engineering and Development! Find out more at www.cisco.com

Together we are the human network.

www.cisco.com/go/diversity