communications infrastructure it was impossible to connect resources with needs — a disaster at a massive scale .
“ Our Tac Ops team went in right away with boots on the ground ,” Toch said . “ We partnered with NetHope to set up information channels , connect rural communities with resources , and not only speed up delivery of humanitarian aid but follow their overall progress .”
Cisco also recognizes its responsibility to give back at home in Silicon Valley . “ When our CEO Chuck Robbins announced that Cisco would donate $ 50 million to help address homelessness , it wasn ’ t about writing a check , or about micromanaging the efforts of public agencies . We partnered with Destination : Home , and offered resources and expertise with what needs to be a large-scale and sustained effort if it ’ s going to succeed . Hopefully other companies will be motivated to contribute as well .
“ The tech industry is disrupting the housing market ,” Toch continued . “ Homelessness is happening to families , people working one or two jobs and living in campers by the side of the road . If they ’ re turning over 80 or 90 percent of their income to housing , how can they put food on the table , pay for health insurance , and keep the lights on ? What about the teachers , the nurses , the daycare providers and firefighters ? When they have to commute in , they don ’ t feel connected to the community , and their quality of life suffers . How are companies going to find good employees , how can the whole ecosystem be healthy when people who are an important part of the community are getting pushed out ?
“ The old way of business is winners and losers ,” Toch added . “ Today we need to find the win-win . We all have to incorporate social justice into business ventures . We need transparency , collaboration , and expertise sharing if we ’ re going to solve tomorrow ’ s challenges .”
Marketing manager Alexis Raymond said that as a boss , Toch “ encourages us to push ourselves professionally and gives us opportunities to shine . She also reminds us to spend time with family . She never wants us to forget to balance our commitment to our jobs with the need to appreciate the other aspects of our lives .”
Family Matters
“ Before joining Cisco I was nervous about making the switch from the nonprofit sector to high tech ,” Toch said . “ I was raising my son who has special needs . Cisco ’ s philosophy is , take care of yourself , and your family , and show up ready to work . I ’ ve been able to do the work that I love , work from home some days , and have the flexibility to be there for my son . Cisco is amazing in this regard .”
Katherine ’ s husband Ken Carvalho owns City Towing in San Jose . Toch describes him as “ kind of a renaissance man ” whose custom carpentry is so creative and high quality that he ’ s developed a nice side business by word of mouth . He ’ s also very involved in the Stephen Ministries at St . Catherine ’ s Church .
“ Kenny inspires me . He is very smart , patient , thoughtful , and a kind soul with a big heart . When we take our boat out , he gets to fish , I get to read a good book . When we make a family dinner , I cook , he barbecues . He ’ s a can-do guy and always has lots of projects going .”
The couple first met during a wine tasting event at a Morgan Hill winery .
“ My first impression of her was this attractive , confident woman with a warm inviting smile ,” Carvalho said . “ I ’ ve come to know her as a genuine , loving , intelligent , amazing person who puts the needs of others in front of her own . I am so blessed to have her as my wife .”
Their blended family includes six adult children , with the youngest nearing college age . Her son Josh just graduated from UC Berkeley ’ s Haas School of Business in June .
“ As a kid I enjoyed our routine of going for a walk most every day ,” Josh said . “ As soon as my mom got home from work we ’ d head out the door for an hour or so to get some exercise and recap the day and what needed to be done the next day . What inspires me is her simple way with people . She always knows how to connect , what to say . She taught me that whoever I meet , there ’ s something that connects me to that person . It ’ s my job to find out what it is . I really look up to her for that .”
Vision for the Future
Toch is always on the go , but she looks forward to getting more involved in local community service once their youngest is off to college and things slow down a little . She and her husband are already laying plans for the future .
“ We ’ re family oriented ,” Toch said . “ We bought property up in Boulder Creek and we want to do everything there with sustainability in mind . Use the redwoods on the property to build a family cabin with room for our kids and grandkids to visit . Grow our own organic vegetables . A place we can all relax , enjoy nature and just practice doing nothing !”
A blended family : Katherine Toch with husband Ken Carvalho ( L ), granddaughter Olivia Quintana , daughter Haley Toch , and son Josh Carvalho
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 gmhtoday . com
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