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LaTricia Frederick, EdD, MBA
HR Leader | Transformation & Inclusion Enthusiast
LaTricia Frederick, EdD, MBA is a highly accomplished global executive with extensive experience in various leadership roles at Cisco. Her current position is Global Head of Executive Talent Solutions, Exec & Board / People & Communities (HR) at Cisco.1
Professional Background
LaTricia has over 20 years of experience in culture transformation, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.3 She specializes in coaching and consulting individuals and organizations on leading and learning.1 Her expertise extends to driving business outcomes and enabling Fortune 500 leaders to harness AI, cloud, and emerging technologies for competitive advantage.45
Education and Achievements
- Holds an EdD (Doctor of Education) and an MBA
- Alumna of Vanderbilt University1
- Named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in 20244
Career Highlights
- Cisco Career: LaTricia has been with Cisco for over 17 years, demonstrating long-term commitment and growth within the company.6
- Global Recruitment: She has been involved in recruiting for Cisco's global teams, including traveling to Warsaw, Poland to recruit new Cisco Sales Associates.2
- Executive Producer: In addition to her role at Cisco, LaTricia is also an Executive Producer.3
- Board Member: She serves as a Board Member for digitalundivided.3
Areas of Expertise
- Culture transformation
- Leadership development
- Organizational effectiveness
- AI and Gen AI implementation
- Responsible AI (RAI)
- Cloud technologies
- Emerging technologies
- Global strategy
LaTricia Frederick is known for her forward-thinking approach, often described as a futurist in her field.4 Her multifaceted experience and expertise make her a valuable asset in driving innovation and transformation within Cisco and beyond.
Highlights
"This little light of mine….I’m going to let it shine” ~ a song that captures the theme and essence of this year’s Cisco Connected Black Professionals #RADIATE conference held across multiple cities, countries and timezones, designed with the intention to inspire and activate excellence via all those who engage with our community.
As a 20+ year veteran of corporate America, I am honored when I have the opportunity to share life lessons with those that are coming behind me. I had the distinct privilege of sharing the stage with Vinaya Springer to speak on the topic of “Blueprints of Ambition: Where authenticity meets opportunity, and ambition thrives."
Throughout this conversation, we had the chance to share nuggets about how we have evolved as people and as leaders with vast visions of self, what’s possible for us and how we navigate limits. I shared personal stories of loss and perserverance ~first, losing my parents by the age of 26 and later, losing my natural ability to have children due to complications from endometriosis. And yet, I still shine. I still strive. I still seek excellence in everything that I do. (And I now also have an 18-month old daughter who is my everyday sparkle).
No matter what circumstance may come your way, continue to persevere, continue to pursue big, hairy, audacioius goals and continue to seek the greatness that lies within.
Thank you CBP for another inspirational moment in time and for the reminder for us all to “let our light shine”. Special thanks to Francine Katsoudas, Kelly Jones, Gloria Goins, Classye James, MBA, Kanyatta Walker, Cedric Lockhart, Christian Bisby, R. Scott Herren and all organizers, site leaders and volunteers for prioritizing and funding this highly impactful event.
#leadership #wearecisco #lovewhereyouwork #ambition #thrive
On Thursday, June 29th, I had the honor and privilege to be in company and share the stage with Debra Lee (former CEO of Black Entertainment Television & Corp Board Member), Ceci Kurzman (Board Member & Investor), Andrew R. Davis (Chief People Officer at Sony Music), and Michelle D. Campbell (CEO, Diverse Talent Exec Search) at the Global Black Economic Forum’s Access and Opportunity Summit hosted at the Essence Communications Inc. Festival of Culture (aka "EssenceFest") discussing inequities on corporate boards. Then, on Friday, June 30th, I facilitated a special power session entitled "Diversifying the Boardroom: The Untold Truths of Executive Success."
I was invited to join this esteemed panel in conversation based on my doctoral research focused on social factors affecting the diversification of corporate boards, particularly as it relates to Black women. What I found via my research and was subsequently reinforced in my conversations with this community is
- Social Identity matters (I.e. how you see yourself and how others see you affects how far you go in your career)
- Proximity to power is key (I.e. how do we build trusted, two way relationships with those in power who have the authority to advance the inclusion agenda); Historically, decisions on board placement and even promotions to the C-Suite were primarily based on personal networks and trust
- Intentionality is required to realize the dream of equality and economic prosperity for all.
While these findings are not necessarily earth shattering, they remind me of the investment made in my career as a part of the INROADS family. In my early days as an Inroads intern at MCI, IBM and later Duke University, I was exposed to these same findings via my experience vs. my academic research. Frank Carr, founder of Inroads, intentionally focused on diversifying corporate America, yielding over 40,000 Inroads alum who work in various corporate & community ranks today. Upon participating in Inroads as a pre-college hire, I knew that I wanted to do something similar for others in the future.
In order for our corporate boardrooms to reflect the populations that they serve, we must reconsider how we approach the importance and intentionality of diversifying such bodies. Ultimately, my hope and desire is that we take the time and resources, from whatever seat we occupy, to invest in creating a legacy of diverse and inclusive leaders, at all levels and ranks in corporate America, particularly in the C-Suite and on Corporate Boards because this will truly create a better world for us all.
Special thanks to my fellow panelists for helping me scratch the surface of this important conversation, Cisco leadership for your continued support and Alphonso David, Trudy Bourgeois, Aaliyah Haqq & Caroline A. Wanga for the invitation and welcome as part of the extended Essence family. This experience was truly a moment that mattered. #inclusiveleadership #gbef #essencefest #boardservice
