Tessa Tinney is a people-focused leader with 25 years of experience in branding, design, communications, and culture change. She joined Cisco in September 2023, and leads a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the IT organization’s agile transformation, DesignOps, UX content design, and executive communications practices. At Cisco, Tessa’s work is focused on the employee experience and the company’s commitment to hybrid work and an equitable future for all.
Recently, Tessa was the global head of talent and engagement for IBM’s IT organization of 12,000 employees. Because of her contributions at IBM, she was recognized in 2021 as a Top 100 Women in Tech. Previously, she co-owned a branding firm for 11 years after working as a designer in various agencies in New York City. She has a degree in design from Syracuse University.
Tessa lives in Chatham, NJ with her husband Colin, sons Snowden and Kieran, and dog Puck. She loves watching her boys play ice hockey, hiking, going on adventurous vacations, and biking with her family.