Neela Benjamin Gentile
CISCO Giving Counselor

As Cisco's giving counselor, Neela is a dedicated resource to Cisco's 56,000 employees around the world. She is responsible for encouraging and facilitating philanthropic engagement of Cisco employees and their families. Cisco has been partnering with the community foundation on the giving counselor program since 2000.

Previously, Neela served as a development consultant to Peninsula Community Foundation in 2006. Neela was also a consultant to The Foundation Incubator where she was responsible for strategic board projects and membership development. While on staff at the Entrepreneurs Foundation she worked with start-up companies as they developed a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism. Her early career includes management and development at The American Heart Association, University of California at Berkeley, and The Music Center of Los Angeles County.

Whether working with individuals, families or companies, Neela finds tremendous satisfaction in helping those who are just getting involved in philanthropy and those who are taking their participation to the next level. Neela has a bachelor's degree in English from University of California at Berkeley. In her spare time she loves to cook for her family and friends.