Carlos Almendros, Global Procurement Service Leader (Travel), Cisco

Carlos Almendros is the Senior Global Travel, Card & Meetings Manager at Cisco Systems, Inc., a leading technology firm based in San Jose, California. With over 84,000 employees and $57 billion in annual revenue, Carlos leads a diverse team spanning four countries, focusing on delivering a world-class travel program prioritizing safety, innovation, and sustainability. He successfully kept travel budgets below 40% of pre-pandemic levels while enhancing the employee travel experience through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. Carlos led the implementation of SAP Concur across 65 countries, streamlining processes and improving compliance. Recently, he expanded his role to oversee Cisco's internal Meetings and Events, managing procurement activities for over 1600 events. Carlos's commitment to excellence and continuous improvement drives his involvement in global advisory meetings and initiatives, positioning Cisco as a leader in corporate travel and procurement operations.