Meraki Unboxed

In this Meraki Unboxed podcast, Cisco and Meraki are converging to deliver unified networking solutions. The episode covers the transition between brands; the impact on customers and partners; and how a strong, collaborative culture drives continued success during change. Our guest, Cisco Networking Specialist Jeff Perlmutter, shares practical sales strategies, the roles AI and innovation play in the networking portfolio, and advice for building authentic relationships in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. Check out the episode now!HostSammy Brenner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-brenner-she-her-7584425b/), Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestJeff Perlmutter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffperlmutter/), Cisco Networking Specialist, Cisco MerakiJeff Perlmutter is a tenured Cisco Meraki networking specialist with over a decade of experience helping enterprise customers across the Bay Area rethink how they approach networking. He brings a mix of technical expertise and practical insight to every conversation and is passionate about helping customers navigate change, simplify complexity, and get the most out of their technology investments.  

In this Meraki Unboxed podcast, we’re getting schooled. Tune in to learn about the E-Rate program (https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/industries/education/us-e-rate/index.html), a vital federal resource helping K-12 schools secure funding for internet connectivity. Join our host Sammy and guests Cedric Lockhart and Janell Tennyson as they discuss sales leadership strategies, Cisco’s competitive edge, the significance of the five-year funding cycle, and common misconceptions about E-Rate funding. Class is now in session!HostSammy Brenner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-brenner-she-her-7584425b/), Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestsCedric Lockhart (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedriclockhart/), Senior Director, Cisco Networking Sales for Public SectorCedric Lockhart has a passion for connecting with people and developing winning teams. While serving as Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, he learned that the best leaders focus on the people, set a positive tone, develop plans that overachieve the objectives, and think BIG! He has carried those same core beliefs into his sales leadership career. Cedric currently leads the $3.5B Public Sector Networking Business. During his 15-year Cisco-career, Cedric has held a number of sales and sales leadership roles, including leading the Cisco Meraki Americas business, Enterprise and Service Provider business for Cisco AppDynamics, Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader for Enterprise, and other roles in corporate tech sales.Janell Tennyson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/janell-tennyson-41226435/), Sales Business Development, E-Rate LeadJanell Tennyson is E-Rate Lead for the Cisco Public Funding Team. Janell is an experienced grant writer with over 16 years working in the telecommunications industry. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the entire E-Rate process and educating the field, partners, and customers to better understand and effectively utilize and maintain compliance with E-Rate rules and regulations.

In this Meraki Unboxed episode, we discuss something that’s very near and dear to our host Tanner’s heart (and team)—the new Meraki vMX! This virtual security and SD-WAN powerhouse unifies on-premises and cloud networks, tackles modern security challenges, and streamlines management with automation and a unified dashboard. Tune in to hear Tanner and his team discuss the latest features, cloud integrations, and how vMX is reshaping distributed networking for hybrid and multicloud environments.* https://meraki.cisco.com/product/hybrid-cloud/vmx/vmx-small/ (https://meraki.cisco.com/product/hybrid-cloud/vmx/vmx-small/) * https://meraki.cisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vMX-datasheet-20230421-english.pdf (https://meraki.cisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vMX-datasheet-20230421-english.pdf) * https://meraki.cisco.com/form/trial/ (https://meraki.cisco.com/form/trial/) HostTanner Yehlik (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanner-yehlik/), Technical Marketing Engineer, Cisco MerakiGuestsSimarbir Singh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/simarbirsingh/), Product Manager, vMX, Cisco Meraki  John Shea (https://www.linkedin.com/in/macfan/), Technical Solutions Architect, Enterprise Networking, Cisco

Recap the highlights of Cisco Live 2025 San Diego in this episode of Meraki Unboxed. From exciting product announcements to the growing impact of AI on the Cisco portfolio, we explore how innovation and customer focus took center stage.  Tune in for insights into the event’s dynamic culture, networking opportunities, and what’s next for Cisco and its partners.HostSammy Brenner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-brenner-she-her-7584425b/), Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestsRachel Greene (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgreene0206/), Inside Sales Director, Cisco MerakiMike Yin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemyin/) is the Global Solution Engineering Director of Secure Network at Cisco. He is an experienced and successful technical sales leader with a proven track record in both startups and established companies. Having joined Meraki in 2012, Mike held sales engineering leadership positions in the biggest growth markets and propelled the business to over 60x revenue growth. Then, as the global SE leader, Mike helped establish Meraki as the primary platform for Cisco Networking and transformed the industry through cloud and simplicity.  Mike is passionate about building a team culture that thrives on a sense of purpose in helping customers achieve their own mission. The team paved the way for many best practices such as demo mastery, API and ecosystem, and MEDDPICC adoption. This has not only resulted in astronomical revenue growth, but also a sustained world-class renewal rate.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Catch up from Cisco Live:: https://cisco.com/ (https://cisco.com/)Announced at Cisco Live: https://www.cisco.com/?socialshare=video-livestream (https://www.cisco.com/?socialshare=video-livestream)  Powering the future of secure AI infrastructure: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-powers-secure-infrastructure-for-the-ai-era.html (https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-powers-secure-infrastructure-for-the-ai-era.html)  Unveiling secure network architecture to accelerate workplace AI transformation: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-unveils-secure-network-architecture-to-accelerate-workplace-ai-transformation.html (https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-unveils-secure-network-architecture-to-accelerate-workplace-ai-transformation.html)  Transforming security for agentic AI era, further fusing security into the network: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-transforms-security-for-the-agentic-ai-era-further-fusing-security-into-the-network.html (https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-transforms-security-for-the-agentic-ai-era-further-fusing-security-into-the-network.html)  Powering AI-ready data centers, from hyperscale to enterprise: https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-powers-ai-ready-data-centers-from-hyperscale-to-enterprise.html (https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-powers-ai-ready-data-centers-from-hyperscale-to-enterprise.html)  Cisco 8000 Secure Routers:

In this Humans of Meraki episode, Helen Fream takes us on her dynamic Cisco journey—from designing the popular Meraki e-learning program to championing mentorship and leading Women of Meraki. With humor and heart, Helen shares how she’s created opportunities, mastered public speaking, and pursued her love of sustainable fashion. You won’t want to miss this uplifting conversation, full of insights on inclusion and growth and making bold moves in the workplace!Embark on the Meraki FIT journey https://community.meraki.com/t5/Meraki-FIT/ct-p/merakifitHostSammy Brenner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-brenner-she-her-7584425b/), Virtual Sales Leader, Cisco MerakiGuestHelen Fream (https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-fream-4a7a5956/), Instructional Designer – Join & Connect Enablement [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])Helen is a Learning & Development professional with a strong background in instructional design, program management, and digital learning solutions. Throughout her career at Cisco, she has built global onboarding initiatives and created impactful learning experiences for diverse audiences. Known for her creativity, organization, and cross-functional collaboration, she is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, having led the ERO Women of Meraki, as a sustainable fashion enthusiast, and as a dedicated Toastmaster!