Episode
293: Women in Tech Leadership: Why You Don't Need a Perfect Career Plan to Reach the Top (With Sarah Walker, Cisco UKI CEO)
- Published
- Mar 24, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2139
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Summary
You don't need a perfect career plan to succeed in tech. In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, I sit down with Sarah Walker, Chief Executive of Cisco UK & Ireland , to talk about women in tech leadership, non-traditional career paths, AI in the workplace, and why backing yourself matters more than ticking every box. Sarah didn't follow a traditional route into tech. She didn't leave school with perfect results. She didn't move to London (despite being told she should). And she certainly didn't have a 20-year career plan mapped out. Yet today, she leads one of the most influential tech organisations in the UK and Ireland. In this conversation, we explore: ◾ Women in tech leadership and representation ◾ Career advancement for women in tech without a rigid plan ◾ How to become a leader in tech without ticking every box ◾ Leadership mindset and backing yourself before you feel ready ◾ AI in the workplace and how it unlocks human potential ◾ Why social mobility and regional leadership matter ◾ Sustainable leadership and authenticity at the top If you've ever questioned whether you "fit" the mould of a tech executive — this episode will change how you see your path. 🔗 Connect with Sarah Walker on LinkedIn 🔗 Learn more about Cisco UK & Ireland 👉 Ready to design your path to executive leadership? Book a Strategy Call: https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat This episode was sponsored by our guest, Sarah Walker at CISCO. Thank you Sarah for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!