SVP, Corporate Communications, Cisco; San Jose, CA Children: Julia, 6; Cameron, 3 ♦ Husband: Joe Christie Why We Love Her Ask Blair how it is that she’s the youngest woman at Cisco to earn the SVP title and she’ll tell you it’s because designing the costumes for her daughters’ school musical is just as important as choreographing her team’s corporate goals. With everyone working together, she can find time to coordinate Julia’s soccer team, volunteer for school field trips, participate in the Cisco women’s advisory group and act as an advocate and executive sponsor of the Cisco women’s action network employee resource group. That may mean working remotely when her girls (and most other people) have gone to bed. But that’s all part of setting an example that she lives by: Focus just as much on your family as on your career.

Q: What’s your best advice for a new mom returning to work? A: There is definitely no right or wrong way to return to work; it is such a personal journey. My best advice is to imagine what you want your work-life mix to be during your first month, your sixth month, and if possible, your first year. Craft a plan and make sure you set expectations at home and at work to the best of your ability, from the beginning. Q: What’s your biggest working mom confession? I’ve done my best to erase those moments from my mind! But I’ve definitely had them – usually when work and home collide “without boundaries.” I remember trying to work from home several years ago when my daughter was sick and could not go to school. Clearly, managing meetings remotely with a sick child is not a great idea. I could not focus on work nor could I give my daughter the attention she deserved. I put on a movie for her so I could participate in a conference call. After the call, I found that she had gotten sick into a bucket I had placed next to her. She did not call me when it happened because she did not want to interrupt my meeting! As you can imagine, I immediately felt sick myself and spent the rest of the day on the couch, next to my daughter. No more calls, no more meetings. Q: What does balance mean to you? A; I am not sure if true balance is something we ever achieve, but as long as my children are thriving; my husband and I feel connected; I am proud of my contribution at work and have at least one hour to myself a week — I am satisfied!