Amy Wingate ─ helping partners find the right payment solutions for their customers...
June 16, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Amy Wingate
Senior Director, Global Portfolio Management
Cisco
Are you looking for a leader who knows how to help partners manage the complexities that come with finding the right payment solutions for their customers? We know the person—Amy Wingate!
Amy Wingate is an innovative financing expert and currently serves as the Senior Director, Global Portfolio Management. In her past role as the Chief Credit Risk Officer for the Global Partner Organization, her team has structured billions of dollars of credit facilities while mitigating risk for Cisco. She is ranked as one of the top IT industry financing leaders and was recently been named one of the Top 50 Women in Equipment Finance and has been named to CRN’s top Women of the Channel.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Amy Wingate!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
In college, I sold educational handbooks door to door, I was the top salesperson in my cohort and made $10,000 in one summer and three marketing internship credits.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Enough to be premier Exec on United and A-List on Southwest; I don’t miss flying, but I do miss the perks!
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Rocky Mountain Oysters in Morrison, CO (where I am from).
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Top Experience was the dot.com bust and managing through Partners going out of business. Through that time, it was also amazing to see the character of those who survived and stood by their businesses and their integrity/promises.
My Top Failure was having a direct report commit fraud at the first company I ever worked. It taught me a lot about compliance and controls. While I was not directly responsible, at the end of the day it happened on my watch. That was a tough pill to swallow.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
My mentor was very close to retirement when I started working with him. He used to always remind me do what you love, and the money will follow. He always stressed your family and the people you work with are your legacy. I have carried this through my career.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Be willing to take more risks with different opportunities; push to get out of your comfort zone.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I actively participate in Cisco NextGen leadership trainings and I am an active mentor. I also believe in giving our leaders stretch assignments and projects to help develop skills outside of their normal day to day roles.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Cisco’s transform and perform strategy around recurring software revenue and how our partners go to market has been an incredible success. I’m proud to be part of the journey!
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
The two skills I am work on are, patience (I tend to want to solution ASAP) and listening more. Additionally, I enjoy mentoring and pushing our teams to find more way to be innovative with our business and systems.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Not being able to meet face to face! I think that in person social interaction with a partner, or teammate is crucial, if only a few times per year!
