Back to the LeaderboardThe Design Leadership Index

Travis Isaacs

VP & Chief Design Officer, Webex Collaboration at Cisco (Cisco's first CDO)

ExecutiveLeads from the backOld schoolEnterpriseAIProduct
An executive design leader moving a large enterprise org through the AI transition with a human-centered framing — purpose-built AI that augments people rather than replacing craft.

Signature win. Rose to become Cisco's first Chief Design Officer in ~5 years and led the award-winning evolution of the Webex collaboration portfolio across rebrand, redesigns, and new launches.

The case

editorial · CCBEI · with sources
CraftT-shaped product designer with interaction/IA + coding ability; led award-winning Webex rebrand, redesigns, and new product launches, with deep accessibility/inclusivity practice (PWD Insights).8
CommunicationRecognized for clear, compelling evangelism of UX in the boardroom; active speaker/writer on how designers earn executive credibility and how to become a first CDO.8
BusinessPromoted to Cisco's first CDO in ~5 years; tied design to outcomes (3x in-person attendance via workspace redesign, hybrid-collaboration strategy) and operates at VP altitude.8
EducationAssembled and grew a global team of designers/writers/researchers; develops leaders via Cisco's Global Executive Shadow Program and is known for mentoring.8
InnovationAuthored a Human-Centered AI Canvas and pushes purpose-built AI that augments menial tasks and solves the blank-page problem — adoption that lifts people, not replaces them; applied rather than category-defining.7

Endorsed by peers

illustrative · opens with verified accounts
OverallI'd work for them69
CraftRaised my craft bar70
CommunicationMade the case for design70
BusinessMade design matter to the business70
EducationTaught me something I still use70
InnovationShowed me a new way to work61

Verified peers only — one tap with LinkedIn. Names stay private; we show role and industry. Bars are illustrative until the participation backend is live.

Stories

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