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Press Release -- January 4th, 2011
Source: Cisco Systems
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Cisco Celebrates Canada’s Thought-Leaders and Visionaries

Transformational Canadians: Cisco recognizes 25 Canadians over the past 25 years

TORONTO, ON (January 4, 2011) – Over the past two months, Cisco Canada has been in search of notable Canadians who through their vision and leadership have helped to transform the lives of others in Canada and around the world. Hundreds of nominations were made by the public, and today, Cisco celebrates 25 Transformational Canadians. From humanitarians and climate change activists, to child-rights advocates, and business champions, the list spans leaders in six categories: business, science and technology, environment, education, healthcare and community.

A judging panel composed of journalists and, community and business leaders selected and profiled these Transformational Canadians at twentyfive.ca and 25visionnaires.ca, in print and online in The Globe and Mail, Cyberpresse and on CTV’s CANADA AM.

In recognition of the 25 Transformational Canadians, Cisco has donated $25,000 worth of technology to the non-profit or charitable organization of each winner’s choice to help the honorees extend their scale and productivity. The technology was donated in partnership with Allstream to help ensure that the organizations receiving the gift of the technology are able to use it in the most effective manner.

“2010 marked Cisco’s 25th year of leading and shaping the way the world interacts, shares ideas and solves problems,” says Nitin Kawale, president, Cisco Canada. “Transformational Canadians allowed us to recognize and celebrate Canadians who have transformed businesses, lives and communities in this country. We thank them for their contribution and dedication, and for making a difference in Canada.”

25 Tranformational Canadians was a success with The Globe audience, generating over 150,000 visitors to the site and 400,000 page views. More than 700 hundred nominations and stories were received, inspiring thousands of Canadians from coast to coast.

“The Globe and Mail has long celebrated innovation and achievement across Canada, and we’re excited to see Cisco push Canadians, too,” said John Stackhouse, Editor-in-Chief, The Globe and Mail. “Together, we developed the Transformational Canadians program, not just to recognize achievements already made but in the hope it will inspire Canadians to be the sort of 21st-century pioneers our country needs.”

“Canada has thousands of success stories, innovators and leaders to share, and we’re delighted to have been a part of the celebration that is Canada’s 25 Transformational Canadians,” said CTV’s Seamus O’Regan. “We’ve helped reveal a bit more insight into the difference these Canadians have made through their generous and thought leading contributions to business, science and technology, environment, healthcare, education and community work.”

“It’s remarkable to hear so many proud stories told by Canadians, about Canadians. Transformational Canadians has led us to a list of outstanding citizens who stand together, bound by their commitment to this country, their communities and our future,” said Pierre Duhamel, Cyberpresse. “Congratulations to Cisco on 25 years of success and bringing this country together.”

In addition to coverage in The Globe and Mail, Cyberpresse and on CTV’s CANADA AM this week, Cisco’s 25 Transformational Canadians will be honoured later this year in a private ceremony. The complete list of winners includes:

James Orbinski: co-founder of Dignitas International, helping resource-strapped communities gain access to treatment for HIV and AIDS
Gordon Keller: leader in the field of regenerative medicine
Sheila Watt–Cloutier: climate change/Arctic activist
Geoff Green: environmental conservation advocate and arctic explorer
Paul Martin: active member of the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors
John Furlong: former VANOC CEO, responsible for boosting Vancouver and Canada’s international standing
Wendy Cukier: president and co-founder of the Coalition for Gun Control, promoting public safety and violence prevention
Craig & Marc Kielburger: child-right’s activists, focused on eliminating childhood poverty and exploitation
Henry Morgentaler: progressive and controversial pro-choice advocate
David Suzuki: renowned environmentalist and promoter of sustainable living, climate change activist and respected geneticist
Tom Chau: champion in pediatric rehabilitation and engineering, advocate for children with physical challenges
Jim Balsillie/Mike Lazaridis: co-CEOs of Research in Motion, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and generous donors
James Cameron: recognized Hollywood director and digital technology innovator
Stephen Lewis: former NDP leader and ambassador to the UN, humanitarian
Monique Leroux: business leader, president and CEO of Desjardins Group
Samantha Nutt: dedication humanitarian, Doctors Without Borders volunteer, leading activist
Clarence Louie: Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band, advocate for the Band, Aboriginal Business Leader of the Year
Guy Laliberté: founder of Cirque du Soleil, entrepreneur and philanthropist
Jim ChuChief: Constable of the Vancouver Police Department, leader in crime prevention
Brenda Milner: neuropsychologist and major contributor to the science of memory and cognitive functioning
Rick Hansen: Paralympian athlete and activist for people living with physical challenges
Edward Brown: early founder of telemedicine in Canada, responsible for establishing an integrated strategy for telehealth services in Ontario
Prabhat Jha: inaugural University of Toronto endowed professor in disease control, expert adviser to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on HIV/AIDS
Kathy Knowles: founder and director of Osu Children’s Library Fund, responsible for building six libraries and 200 other facilities in African communities
Scott Gilmore: co-founder and executive director of Peace Dividend Trust

About The Globe and Mail

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper, delivering trusted national and international news, business, arts, sports, lifestyle and automotive content to engaged and influential Canadians through its portfolio of newspaper, magazine, online and mobile assets.

About Cyberpresse

With more than 2 millions unique visitors – an average visit lasts 32 minutes – and over 80 million pages seen each month,* Cyberpresse offers advertisers a unique setting for reaching a valued audience. Cyberpresse is owned by Gesca, a subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada that specializes in the publication of newspapers and in news websites. http://www.cyberpresse.ca

About Cisco Systems

Cisco, (NASDAQ:CSCO, news, filings), the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate, this year celebrates 25 years of technology innovation, operational excellence and corporate social responsibility. Information on Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com

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Cisco, the Cisco logo, Cisco Systems and Cisco IOS are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is Cisco Public Information.

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