With technology evolving at lightning speed, success in the industry requires technical knowledge and the ability to connect technical and non-technical teams. Ishita Thanki exemplifies this skill with remarkable finesse.
As a Senior Technical Program Manager, she has built a reputation for seamlessly uniting diverse perspectives to deliver groundbreaking results.
Reflecting on her approach, Ishita shares: “I take pride in integrating solutions and bridging gaps.”
This sought-after engineer ensures that all teams within an organization- engineers, product managers, UX designers, and more, are aligned and working toward customer-centric goals.
However, Thanki admits that leading a diverse team is both a challenge and an opportunity: “Getting everyone on the same page isn’t always easy. You’ve got engineers, product managers, UX designers, and other stakeholders who all see things differently.”
She adds that the key is clear communication and understanding each team member’s unique perspective: “I thrive in collaboration and ensuring everyone’s contributions are valued.”
The Dual Worlds of Program Management
“Program management often involves simplifying complex technical ideas so non-technical stakeholders can easily understand and act on them,” says Thanki.
Her knack for bridging the gap between technical and non-technical teams has been key to her success, especially in roles that demand seamless collaboration across engineering, product management, and business.
Her hands-on role included screening candidates and preparing them to excel at the HackAIthon event. “I want to inspire the next generation of leaders to approach challenges with curiosity and determination,” she says. “Cultivating a culture of collaboration and innovation empowers us to create meaningful change,” she added.
Thanki’s sharp analytical skills and ability to evaluate complex technical projects inspired the participants to push the boundaries of innovation.
Gayathri Chandrasekaran, an engineering leader who has worked closely with Thanki, puts it best: “Ishita is an exceptional project management professional with an impressive track record in the SD-WAN product development team. Her attention to detail and ability to tackle complex integration challenges were remarkable.”
This praise reflects Thanki’s unique combination of a strong technical foundation and a natural talent for prioritizing what matters most to deliver high-quality results.
With her technical expertise, Thanki earns the trust of engineering teams and excels at translating intricate concepts into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders: “I see myself as a bridge, linking the precision-driven work of engineering with the vision of strategy,” she says.
Her approach, rooted in clear communication, empathy, and a deep understanding of everyone’s needs, sets her apart.
As Chandrasekaran notes: “Thanki is thorough, resourceful, and a highly effective leader, which makes her a true asset to any team”.
Breaking Down Complex Problems
Thanki’s ability to simplify complex technical issues has earned her accolades across the industry. One example is her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she led a team at Cisco to develop an innovative mask detection system using advanced camera technology: “The engineering team focused on the technical details, while stakeholders needed to understand the broader impact on public safety and compliance,” she recalls.
By translating technical specifications into a compelling narrative, Thanki ensured alignment and swift execution, ultimately delivering a solution that met both technical and societal needs.
One of Thanki’s colleagues, Julie Wong recalls her positive experience working with her: “Thanki is a joy to work with,” she shares.
“She is positive, has boundless energy, and gives 110% in everything she does”.
Wong adds that Thanki has exceptional communication skills and a natural talent for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds: “Her open-minded approach makes her a natural leader, and she has a unique ability to bring out the best in every team she works with.”
This knack for problem-solving extends to her work with retail and banking clients. When a retail client’s payment systems crashed across 50 stores, Thanki coordinated between engineers troubleshooting the issue and executives anxious about revenue loss: “It’s about maintaining transparency and ensuring everyone feels heard,” she explains.
The issue was resolved remotely within hours, which shows her ability to unite teams under pressure.
Thanki’s collaboration skills, on top of her technical skills and unique expertise, are key to her success.
Patrick Vitalone, Director of Product Marketing for Operational Technology at Fortinet, worked with her on the Networking team at Cisco and recalls her as “an outstanding engineer and highly collaborative colleague.”
He credits her contributions to the success of their SD-WAN project, while commending her rare blend of technical expertise and teamwork.
Whether tackling complex challenges or bringing people together, Thanki has consistently made a meaningful impact across every project she’s been part of.
Building a Culture of Collaboration
At the heart of Thanki’s success is her commitment to fostering a collaborative culture: “Technical and non-technical teams often speak different languages,” she notes.
“My role is to create a common ground where both sides feel valued and understood.”
Her leadership style emphasizes approachability and transparency. Whether mentoring interns at an AI hackathon or guiding seasoned professionals through complex projects, Thanki prioritizes open communication: “Titles don’t matter to me; respect for work does,” she asserts.
Her impact was just as notable during her time at Viptela, a startup later acquired by Cisco. At Viptela, she blended agile startup solutions with corporate systems: “Startups teach you to be quick on your feet and resourceful,” she says.
“At Cisco, I applied that same agility on a larger scale, helping innovative ideas thrive within a corporate environment.”
Thanki has also been honored with two Cisco Pinnacle Awards which reflects unparalleled expertise and groundbreaking achievements, marking a team’s work as among the most outstanding in the company.
These awards not only honor technical brilliance but also highlight projects that set industry benchmarks and drive transformative advancements.
The recognition carries significant prestige within Cisco and across the broader tech community, enhancing the reputation of recipients and inspiring further innovation.
Thanki’s association with achievements recognized by the Pinnacle Awards exemplifies her leadership and expertise.
Her ability to drive impactful innovations that address complex challenges reinforces her reputation as a trailblazer in the technology space, making her a key contributor to Cisco’s legacy of excellence and industry influence.
Thanki’s brilliance and philosophy is also laid beyond her professional work. Her cybersecurity and technical program management expertise has established her as a thought leader and sought-after speaker. She participated in the Me2We Conference, showcasing her ability to inspire collaboration and spark innovation.
The influential event focuses on fostering collaboration, innovation, and leadership across diverse fields.
It brings together thought leaders, industry experts, and changemakers to share insights, inspire collective action, and drive impactful change in communities and organizations worldwide.
Recently, she also appeared on Stanford University’s Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast, a top-ranked global careers podcast known for helping listeners refine communication skills.
Thanki also played a key role in the Cisco 2024 Hackathon. She led the University and high school students and interns track while taking on a core leadership role in organizing the event.
With a theme centred on AI and automation, the hackathons attracted around 1,800 engineers worldwide and had over 520 teams. Thanki’s expertise as a judge at this event shows her exceptional analytical skills and ability to provide valuable insights.
Drawing from her experience bridging technical and non-technical teams, Thanki shared actionable strategies for career success.
Her skills in connecting with a wide range of audiences and sharing valuable insights are the reason why she is a trusted expert in the tech and business worlds.
A Security-First Mindset
In addition to her interpersonal skills, Thanki brings a security-first mindset to every project she undertakes: “With AI and other emerging technologies, ensuring privacy and security is more critical than ever,” she says.
Her experience spans automating security compliance processes, mentoring teams on best practices, and implementing cutting-edge cybersecurity measures for clients in sensitive industries.
One of her standout achievements was automating 80% of Cisco’s security compliance processes using Tableau: “Integrating data from multiple tools into a single dashboard not only streamlined workflows but also boosted productivity across the organization,” she explains.
The success of this initiative highlights her ability to leverage technology for strategic advantage while keeping teams aligned.
The Secret to Success: Tailored Communication
What differentiates Thanki is her ability to tailor her communication to her audience. She dives deep into the details of technical teams, exploring the nuances of engineering challenges.
For business stakeholders, she emphasises outcomes and ROI: “It’s about meeting people where they are and speaking their language,” she emphasizes.
This adaptability is mirrored in her broader philosophy of inspiring others to approach problems with curiosity and determination.
In 2024, Ishita Thanki showcased outstanding communication skills as a member of two Cisco Pinnacle Award-winning teams.
The team earned the Market Impact Award for Catalyst SD-WAN Cloud Analytics, which improved network reliability and application performance, and the Strategic Impact Award for Catalyst SD-WAN Cloud OnRamp, which simplified cloud connectivity and enhanced security.
Thanki believes the future lies in using new technologies to improve teamwork and security: “Technology is always changing, so staying ahead means constantly learning and adapting,” she explains.
She’s incredibly excited about how AI could revolutionize program management by creating more intelligent tools and systems that make collaboration even easier and more effective.
Her commitment to mentorship and knowledge-sharing ensures that her influence extends beyond her immediate projects.
Thanki strikes the perfect balance between technical expertise and genuine human connection. She sets the example of what it means to excel in program management.
As she puts it: “I want to be remembered as someone who breaks down barriers and brings people together, whether through technology, collaboration, or mentorship.”
With her dedication to innovation, security, and driving positive change, this trusted expert is creating an impact that will be felt far beyond the tech industry.
