Elizabeth Barr at Cisco

Redefining Tech Careers: Elizabeth Barr’s Mission to Make Tech More Inclusive

In this empowering episode of The Route to Networking – Women in Tech, host Holly Staff sits down with Elizabeth Barr, Head of Cisco Networking Academy across the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics. She’s also a board member for Women of Cisco, a thriving internal community working to make tech more inclusive, accessible, and inspiring.

Elizabeth shares her non-linear journey into the tech world, why role models matter, and how her work is helping the next generation, especially young girls can see the many ways they can belong in this industry.

A Squiggly Route into Tech

Elizabeth didn’t take the typical route into tech. Her journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in languages at Durham University. She followed her curiosity, pursuing an 18-month placement year abroad that included roles in tech start-ups in Barcelona and Madrid, and a legal recruitment firm in Paris. This international exposure sparked a lasting interest in technology and how it intersected with different industries.

Later, she completed a Master’s in Management at City University of London, learning everything from marketing and entrepreneurship to finance and strategy. Like many graduates, she applied to countless roles and navigated the usual sea of rejection—something she now speaks openly about to encourage others not to give up.

“At the time, my view of tech was pretty narrow. I thought it was either big tech companies like Cisco or Microsoft, or consulting. I didn’t realise how many paths existed until I got my foot in the door.”

Her first role at Cisco was in operations, managing everything from collab upgrades to network escalations. Eventually, she transitioned into her current role, leading Cisco’s Networking Academy, a programme that provides free tech training globally and bridges the gap between education and the workplace.

Expanding Horizons: From the UK to the Nordics

Recently, Elizabeth took on leadership of the Networking Academy across the Nordics in addition to the UK and Ireland. This new challenge has seen her visiting Sweden, Finland, and Norway in just two weeks, an intense but exciting whirlwind of learning and collaboration.

She talked about the value of face-to-face connection, even in a world increasingly reliant on virtual meetings.

“You can’t replace the energy and creativity that happens around a real table. Brainstorms, workshops, the little side conversations, those all contribute to building trust and driving ideas forward.”

These international experiences have broadened her view of how diversity and inclusion are approached differently across countries, and how we can learn from one another to raise standards industry-wide.

Misconceptions About Tech Careers

Elizabeth is passionate about busting common myths around working in tech, starting with the idea that you need to be highly technical or have a STEM degree.

“I thought they’d figure out I didn’t have a technical background and realise I didn’t belong. But it turns out, so many people in this industry come from non-traditional routes.”

She also challenges the belief that career growth means constantly changing companies. At Cisco, she’s seen how it’s possible to move between completely different roles internally, while still building new skills and exploring fresh challenges.

“Even if you stay in the same company, you won’t stay still. The tech evolves, the teams evolve - you’re always growing.”

Building the Pipeline: Women of Cisco & STEM Outreach

Elizabeth’s volunteer work with Women of Cisco is a standout part of her career. As co-lead of the STEM outreach team, she helps run initiatives that reach young girls across the UK and Ireland with the message: tech is for you too.

One of their flagship events is Girls in ICT Day, which recently saw 600+ girls (aged 12–14) take part in immersive, creative tech workshops across 14 Cisco sites.

“We had over 200 volunteers and ran Dragons’ Den-style pitches where students created business ideas using AI. The ideas were incredible, from apps that read moods to recipe assistants that scan your fridge!”

She highlights that while volunteering alongside a full-time job can be demanding, the enthusiasm from participants and feedback from schools make it worthwhile. And once people get involved, they often return year after year.

“It’s that kind of infectious energy - you leave these events completely inspired.”

Why Representation Matters

Representation in tech remains a key challenge, and Elizabeth is vocal about how early career decisions are shaped by what young people see.

“If girls don’t see people who look like them in tech, they won’t consider it a space where they belong.”

She notes how media stereotypes, school career advice, and a lack of visible role models all contribute to this issue. Many still picture tech as a male-dominated world of coders and engineers, which can feel off-putting or irrelevant to some girls.

“We need to highlight the wide range of tech roles - design, ethics, sales, data, project management and how tech intersects with fashion, healthcare, and sustainability. That’s what makes it relatable.”

Real-world examples, she says, are crucial. If students can see how their favourite apps are built or how AI can improve healthcare, the field becomes less abstract and much more exciting.

AI, Cyber & Education: The Next Big Opportunities

When asked about the biggest upcoming opportunities for women in tech, Elizabeth points to three areas: AI, cybersecurity, and education.

AI, she says, is everywhere and while the possibilities are exciting, the potential for bias is a growing concern.

“If only one type of person is training AI models, that bias is going to show up in the output. We need more women involved at every level, from design to implementation.”

She’s also concerned that early research shows fewer women are using generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini in their daily work.

“It’s not just about who builds the tech it’s also about who uses it. If fewer women are adopting these tools, they could be left behind.”

In cybersecurity, she sees an urgent need to bring more women into roles protecting infrastructure and shaping policy. And in education, she’s helping lead projects like Cisco’s Cyber Camps with the Open University, where an all-female educator team teaches cyber skills to girls and women.

“Seeing someone who looks like you teaching the subject makes it feel possible. It’s powerful.”

One Change Companies Can Make

Elizabeth believes the recruitment process is where many companies unintentionally lose great candidates, especially women.

“Women are statistically less likely to apply unless they meet 70–80% of the job criteria. Men apply at 30%. That’s a huge gap.”

She urges employers to review their job descriptions for bias, use tools to ensure inclusive language, and consider diverse interview panels and training. At Cisco, inclusive policies are backed by a strong culture, from IVF support to menopause awareness to truly flexible working.

“It’s one thing to have great policies. But at Cisco, people actually use them, and leadership actively supports that.”

Advice for Women Starting Out

Elizabeth’s advice to the next generation is both simple and powerful:

“Just go for it. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Tech is so broad, you’ll find your place. But you have to start.”

She credits much of her career growth to networking - reaching out to people on LinkedIn, joining communities, and finding mentors who could guide her through decisions and challenges.

“Even my mentors, some of the most senior, experienced women I know, still experience impostor syndrome. That really stayed with me. It reminded me we’re all figuring it out.”

“Tech isn’t just about coding. It’s about creativity, collaboration, and solving real problems. There’s a place for everyone - find what lights you up and go for it.”

Listen to Elizabeth’s full story, along with our quick-fire round where she: 
 • Debunks a common myth about tech
 • Shares her favourite part of the job
 • Names the women in tech who are inspiring her right now
 • Highlights an underrated skill for working in tech
 • And gives that all-important golden piece of advice for anyone starting out

All this and more in this week’s inspirational Women in Tech episode of The Route to Networking podcast.

🔗 Connect with Elizabeth: [LinkedIn]
💡 Learn more about the Cisco Networking Academy: netacad.com