Leader Spotlight: Promoting diversity in UI/UX, with Juan Carlos Pontaza

Juan Carlos Pontaza, Senior Director of Engineering UI/UX at Cisco, has been instrumental in merging UI and UX functions under one umbrella, which has enhanced development productivity and employee retention. Originally from Guatemala, Carlos has been with Cisco for nearly 14 years, starting as a UI Technical Leader and progressing to his current role where he oversees over 70 engineers and manages seven products related to network configuration, troubleshooting, and analytics. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to UI/UX, likening his role to a general contractor who coordinates tasks to enhance efficiency and usability across Cisco's product lines. Carlos highlights the significance of purposeful diversity within his team, which enhances creativity and informs product development to meet global customer expectations. He fosters a supportive team culture, which he credits for a low attrition rate, and encourages his team to identify their unique strengths to thrive in their careers. As Cisco strives to standardize the look and feel of its products, Carlos plays a crucial role in balancing the rapid delivery of products with incorporating user feedback, ensuring the company stays ahead in the competitive tech landscape.