Pastora Valero

Pastora Valero is Senior Vice President, International Government Affairs and leads government affairs activities in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific, Japan, and Greater China (APJC) regions. She manages a team of professionals who engage lawmakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders across both regions on technology and communications policies that can deliver the promises of a digital world..  She previously held the position of Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia (EMEAR) for Cisco Systems Inc.

Ms Valero joined Cisco in 2003, and she has close to three decades of experience in regulatory and public policy issues concerning telecommunications, internet regulations, competition, and trade, among others. During her 19-year tenure at Cisco, she has successfully advocated for policies that foster the deployment of broadband networks, enable the future of wireless technologies, promote the green and digital transition, and enhance privacy and cybersecurity.

She is passionate about mentorship, talent development, and women’s leadership—serving as the executive sponsor for the Women of Cisco Community in EMEA—and is an advocate for the role of digital technologies in powering a more sustainable and inclusive future for all. She is also a member of Cisco’s Senior Leadership Team in EMEA and APJC and the country sponsor for Egypt, a key market for Cisco in the Middle East region.

Prior to Cisco, Ms Valero was Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs for Global TeleSystems (GTS), a pan-European fibre-optic network operator. She started her career with the Brussels law firm Van Bael & Bellis, dealing with EU trade and competition law issues.

A qualified lawyer in Spain, she holds a master’s degree in European law (ULB, Brussels) and an L.L.M in international law (VUB, Brussels). She serves on the Board of Directors of Digital Europe and has represented Cisco on boards of various technology trade associations that are active in the EMEA market, including serving as a former vice-chair of the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU.