Cisco adds Cognite CEO Girish Rishi to board
Cisco appointed Cognite chairman and CEO Girish Rishi to its board effective October 9, 2026, citing his data, AI and supply chain experience.
The story in focus
Cisco appointed Girish Rishi, chairman and CEO of industrial AI company Cognite, to its board of directors effective October 9, 2026. Cisco cited his three decades of technology leadership across data and AI, product development, supply chain and M&A. Rishi previously led Blue Yonder and held executive roles at Tyco, Zebra Technologies, Motorola Solutions and Symbol Technologies.
- Cisco's board appointment of Girish Rishi took effect October 9, 2026, the date of the announcement.
- Rishi is chairman and CEO of Cognite and a senior advisor to Blackstone.
- He previously served as CEO of supply chain software provider Blue Yonder.
What Cisco announced
Cisco said it appointed Girish Rishi to its board of directors, effective October 9, 2026. The company described Rishi as bringing three decades of technology leadership and expertise in data and AI, product development, supply chain and M&A.
CEO Chuck Robbins said Rishi's experience helping complex organizations use data and AI would be valuable as Cisco supplies infrastructure for the AI era. The appointment expands Cisco's board; the release did not specify committee assignments or whether the seat is newly created.
Rishi's background
Rishi currently serves as chairman and CEO of Cognite, which Cisco described as an industrial AI company serving energy and industrial organizations, and as a senior advisor to Blackstone. Before Cognite, he was CEO of Blue Yonder, a supply chain management software and consulting provider.
He previously held executive positions at Tyco International, Zebra Technologies, Motorola Solutions and Symbol Technologies. Rishi also serves on the board of Insight Enterprises, where he has been a director since 2017, and previously served on Digi International's board. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an executive board member of the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Board composition context
Cisco did not disclose in the release whether the appointment changes the board's size or fills a vacancy. The company directed readers to its board of directors page for further information.
What does Girish Rishi bring to Cisco's board?
Cisco cited three decades of technology leadership and expertise in data and AI, product development, supply chain and M&A. Rishi is chairman and CEO of Cognite, was previously CEO of Blue Yonder, and held executive roles at Tyco, Zebra, Motorola Solutions and Symbol Technologies.
Sources & further reading
- Cisco Appoints Girish Rishi to its Board of Directors ↗newsroom.cisco.com
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